A new study shows trips by bike have increased in 18 cities and towns in England following a programme to encourage cycling for shorter urban journeys.

The study measured the impact of two government-funded programmes of investment in cycling. It showed trips by bike increased across both programmes overall and also in each town and city by different amounts.

The Cycling City and Towns programme ran in 12 towns and cities from 2008-2011. Automatic count data shows cycling trips increased by 24% over three years and on average by 8% per year.

The largest increases were in Stoke-on-Trent (62%) and Greater Bristol (40%), with further growth achieved even in areas with already very high levels of cycling such as York (6%) and Cambridge (9%).

The Cycling Demonstration Towns follow-on programme in six towns received investment in 2005-2008 and again in 2008-2011. Cycling trips increased by 29% over five years and by 5% per annum. Darlington (59%) and Exeter (45%) showed particularly high rates of growth.

To find out more click here; http://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/cycling-investment-way-ahead-towns-and-cities