East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said: “The Department for Regional Development has not prioritised funding for public transport such as cycling. The Department should have in place a long term strategy and spending plan if we are serious about increasing and encouraging active transport.
“Around 28% of all journeys are less than one mile in length and 67% of journeys between one and two miles are made by car. We need to provide the right infrastructure and attitudinal change to get more people out of cars and onto bicycles for these short journeys.
“Cycling is not only good exercise, it is also cheaper and will help improve mobility throughout the city centre.
“I look forward to the publication of the long overdue draft Active Travel Strategy and will continue to lobby strongly for the protection of dedicated cycle routes such as the Comber Greenway in my own constituency.
ENDS