Bristol Is Wheelie Good City

Bristol could give Amsterdam a run for its money as it has been appointed the UK's first official Cycling City.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly made the announcement which is part of a £100 million Government scheme to promote cycling.

Eleven other urban areas have been designated Cycling Demonstration Towns in an attempt to get the nation fit in the run up to the 2012 Games.

They want to encourage 2.5 million more people to take up the activity to improve their fitness and to beat the traffic.

There are currently six Cycling Demonstration Towns – Aylesbury, Brighton, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster with Morecambe.

Ms Kelly said Bristol and the 11 other demonstration towns would "pioneer new ways" of encouraging people to get on their bike.

Ms Kelly added that "a quarter of journeys made every day by car are less than two mile" and that cycling "is an alternative that could bring real health benefits to millions of adults and children".

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo believes that the scheme will also tackle growing levels of obesity in the UK.

Cycling England has contributed up to £500,000 per year, per town for three years which is matched by equal or greater funding from the local authority and its partners.

Chairman of Cycling England, Phillip Darnton, said that "increased and sustained investment is the key to getting more people enjoying the benefit of cycling".

It is understood that Bristol will have the first on-street bike rental network and that and there will be scheme to repair bikes free of charge.

(DS)