From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, January 21, 2008

THE Government has announced a £140million fund for cycling following the success of the Cycle Exeter project.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly declared that the six Cycling Demonstration Towns around the country, which includes Cycle Exeter, are "hugely impressive".

Cycle Exeter is funded by Cycling England, following a joint submission by Devon County Council and Exeter City Council, and aims to get more people cycling, more safely and more often. Since the Project started in 2005 there has been a 25% increase in cycling in Exeter. Around 18km of new or improved routes have been completed in and around the city, and over 1,200 children have received Bikeability Training in Exeter.

Devon County Council has also opened or improved over 260 km or over 160 miles of cycle routes across Devon - that is equivalent to the distance from London to Sheffield.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "We want to make it easier and safer for people to cycle on the county's roads and Cycle Exeter is doing exactly that. Bikeability Training is providing children with an important life-skill which will help them develop essential road safety awareness as well as improving their health and helping make Devon even greener.

"This additional funding for cycling recognises the effect that Cycle Exeter has had and how valuable cycling can be in helping tackle congestion and improve air quality. This scheme demonstrates that if the Government can provide the investment, people will leave their cars at homes and opt for sustainable forms of transport, and hopefully the whole of Devon can benefit."

The Government funding over the next three years, which will go to Cycling England, will allow an extra 500,000 10 year old children across the country to take part in Bikeability training, connect more schools to the National Cycle Network and create a further ten Cycling Demonstration Towns in England.

Zsolt Schuller, Cycle Exeter Project Manager, said: "This is the best possible news for Devon and the country as a whole. Exeter, along with the other five Demonstration Towns, has proven that investing in cycling really does make a difference. The Government has acknowledged this with its announcement."

For more information about Cycle Exeter visit www.devon.gov.uk/cycleexeter or call 0845 1551004 or email: cycleexeter@devon.gov.uk.

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.