Bristol has become England's first "cycling city" in a government scheme aimed at encouraging cycling. 

Government funding totalling £11.4 million has been awarded to Bristol and South Gloucestershire to transform cycling and to pioneer innovative ways of making cycling a real alternative to the car. 

This funding will be matched by Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils and their partners, creating a total scheme of £22.8 million over the next two and a half years.

We intend to double the number of people cycling in the Greater Bristol area with a series of initiatives:

New off-road cycle routes:

• Improving safety and links to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, and
• Creating a new north/south cycle path between Lockleaze and Hengrove

New on-road cycling routes:

• Integrating cycling provisions into the development of quality bus corridors
• Improving cycle routes on quieter roads
• Improving difficult road junctions for cyclists
• Providing more cycle parking throughout the city
• Introducing bike hire schemes, such as Hourbike and Ferry bike hire

A series of innovations piloted in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and adopted widely throughout the UK including:

• Advance stop lines at traffic signals
• Simple designs for contra-flow cycle lanes
• Cyclists give way signs replacing cyclists dismount signs
• Nationally accredited Bikeability cycle training 

New cycle paths are planned:

• Linking the city centre with Nailsea in North Somerset
• Providing a waterside route from Temple Meads to Cabot Circus

Awareness raising:

• Giving every Year 5 and 6 pupil the opportunity for Bikeability cycle training (8,000 pupils)
• Refresher training for those who need support in taking up cycling again
• Personalised travel plans - helping households plan their cycle journeys
• Employer travel plans - to encourage businesses to promote cycling as a viable commuter alternative
• School Travel Plans - to introduce more measures to improve the number of children cycling to school  
• Publication of more free maps and guides from a cyclist's perspective, including developing the new web-based journey planner
• Promoting cycling events such as Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride 
• Surveying residents and employers on what cyclists need 

With rising fuel prices and growing congestion, cycling is also a good way of keeping fit and healthy. The new initiatives that will be introduced through Cycling City status will play a key role in providing healthier communities throughout Bristol.