The Welsh Government have put forward a Cycling Bill which would make it a legal duty for local authorities to provide cycle routes.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said the Bill is one of the government’s priorities over the next five years and would be the first such piece of legislation worldwide if it attracted enough support. The current Labour government holds only 30 of the Assembly's 60 seats, so will find it more difficult to see any proposed legislation passed. The Bill is a result of four years of campaigning by sustainable transport charity Sustrans Cymru.
Lee Waters, Sustrans Cymru Director, said: "There has long been a legal duty to build and maintain roads, but this is the first time that highways authorities will have had a legal obligation to create new walking and cycling routes. It has the potential to make Wales a world leader in sustainable transport.
“Creating town and city spaces that support walking and cycling is a crucial part in enabling more active and healthy lifestyles. Hearing the Welsh Government commit to the Bill is an astounding achievement after years of hard work. Now we begin the important process of developing the detail. We'd like to see it include the needs of walkers as well as cyclists, commit to routes both on and off-road, and place a duty on Highways Authorities to maintain the quality of routes.”
