Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced the publication of the 'Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan' which sets out the vision of the Belfast Cycling Network becoming a reality over the next ten years.

The Delivery Plan aims to join up the existing cycle infrastructure and develop new safe routes across the city to encourage more people to choose active travel modes of transport. Over 50 individual schemes are planned for delivery including trialling new routes. Delivery of the Network was estimated to cost Pound 100 million over a ten year period when the Belfast Cycling Network was published in June 2021.

Minister Mallon said:

"Last year I published the Belfast cycling network under the title 'Making Belfast an Active City'.  In light of the climate emergency, the health needs of people here and the demand for Belfast to become a more liveable and vibrant city - as set out in 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast' - this is exactly what we need to do.  Make Belfast an active city.

"As part of our focus on people, we need to provide access to safe, active and sustainable transport modes to encourage people to make environmentally responsible choices about travel.  It is my ambition to significantly increase opportunities for active travel, to give everyone the freedom and confidence to be able to walk, wheel or cycle in our city safely.

"The Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan gives detail to my ambition for a more cycle friendly city.  By creating a network of safe cycling infrastructure over the next ten years we can continue to make the city better for walking and wheeling, improve public transport while encouraging more people to consider cycling as a mode of transport and reduce the dominance of motor vehicles throughout the city.

"This is not, of course, a static plan.  It needs to be dynamic, responding to changes in the needs of the people of this city.  It should not be the limits of our ambition, but the framework within which our ambitions for active travel can grow."

The publication of the 'Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan' is available at https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/belfast-cycling-network-delivery-plan-2022-31

Caroline Bloomfield, NI Director of Sustrans welcomed the launch of the Delivery Plan, stating:

"At Sustrans our mission is to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.  We hope that the launch of the Delivery Plan will be a step change on the road to making walking and cycling the easiest and most attractive options for the people of Belfast.  As well as creating more pleasant neighbourhoods, this will help us reach net zero emissions, reduce air pollution and enable healthier lifestyles.  We are pleased to see that a dedicated project team is being established alongside a high-level Programme Board and now call upon the Department to expedite delivery and ensure that sufficient budget is made available to enable the Belfast Cycling Network to be realised."