A NEW strategy aimed at getting the people of Swindon on their bikes is set to be approved by councillors on Wednesday night.

The Swindon Cycling Framework is document which formalises a number of priorities to make travelling by bike in the borough much easier.

Working in partnership with users and other interested parties, Swindon Borough Council aim to male cycling a normal activity by 2026.

By doing so, Council chiefs say it will not only increase health levels within the town but ease traffic levels.

“The Cycling strategy has been created by cyclists for cyclists and it has my full support,” said Councillor Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member for transport.

“One in seven children cycle to school in Swindon, yet only one in 20 adults cycle to work. I want to see this figure increase significantly because it will not only promote active, healthy lifestyles, but it will also help reduce congestion on our roads.

“There is a lot of focus on improving our roads for car drivers in Swindon at the moment, but we must also improve and create a safe and convenient cycle network.

“On Wednesday, the cabinet will reaffirm the council’s commitment to support cycling within the borough, and one of our key aims is to double the number of cycle trips by 2026, and encourage organisations and the general public to champion cycling in Swindon.”

Earlier this year, a new cycle route called the Southern Flyer was opened, the second route of its kind in Swindon.

It allows cyclists to have a clear route from Wichelstowe to the town centre without encountering large volumes of traffic.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Coun Heenan will be given the authority to bid for funds to allow similar types of routes to be developed.

He said: “It is the efforts of the dedicated cycle groups like Swindon BUG and my Cycling Champion Coun Keith Williams (Con, Shaw) who have been key to making this strategy happen, and it will be instrumental for bidding for money from government.

“We have already successfully created the Western Flyer and Southern Flyer as strategic cycling corridors into the town centres, but we must do more.

“With the support of my Cabinet colleagues, Swindon will submit its first bid based on this Cycling strategy before the end of the month, and I am hopeful that the £350,000 grant from the Department of Transport will be successful.”

Last year a consultation was carried out on the framework, with the cast majority of respondents being in favour of improvements to cycling.