Lack of bike funding bid 'disappointing' say cyclists (From Times Series)

Lack of bike funding bid by Barnet Council is 'disappointing' say Barnet cyclists

1:08pm Tuesday 26th January 2010 in News By Kevin Bradford

A BIKE group has admitted Barnet Council's decision to not apply for funding that could have helped improve cycling facilities is “disappointing”.

The £25,000 was made available through an application process from Transport for London, but council bosses failed to submit a bid.

The money would have paid for a “tailored” study looking at how cycling in the area can be developed.

Plans would have been drawn up to bring in measure such as working with schools, health services and businesses to promote cycling and become a “biking borough”.

But the decision not to take up the TfL funding has been criticised by Barnet Cyclists.

Peter Ride, from the group, said: “There is plenty of scope in the borough for improvements so for the council to turn down any money they could use is disappointing.

“You can't possibly say cycling facilities are top notch in the borough, and it is a bit of a shame they felt it was the right thing to do to turn down money that could have pointed them in a different direction.

“If they were offered more money for schools, I can't imagine they would turn round and say 'no thank you'. This seemed a great opportunity to get in people with a greater level of expertise in the matter.”

Twelve outer London boroughs including Brent and Haringey will receive extra support, and although TfL bosses said the applications for funding were optional, they admit they are keen for boroughs to take on as many cycling initiatives as possible.

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s transport advisor, said it is in outer London where the “greatest scope exists” to increase the number of people travelling by bicycle.

The council budget for 2009/10 shows £114,500 has been set aside of r cycle training, £115,000 for cycle route improvements in Waterfall Walk, while £10,000 will go on the provision of on-street cycle racks.

A council statement added because of the cycling initiatives already in place, “It was decided that this type of support did not best meet the borough’s needs at the moment, and that other boroughs might be better placed to make use of it”.