Bristol becomes UK's first cycling city

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Bristol has been designated as Britain's first "cycling city" as part of a 100 million pound scheme aimed at getting people to exercise by using bicycles.

The south-west city aims to double the number of cyclists over the next three years and will create a dedicated cycleway to link the suburbs to the city centre, provide free bikes to deprived communities and double the number of children receiving cycling training.

Bristol will become the first British city to employ a major bicycle rental network -- similar to the successful Velib scheme which operates in Paris.

The government will initially allocate 11.4 million pounds to the scheme which will be matched by local investment.

Other areas which will receive funding after becoming...