National Investment for Cycling

As a doctor and a leisure and commuting cyclist I know first-hand the physical and mental benefits of cycling whether it be a ride in the country with friends, cycling to work or popping to the shops. I would like more adults and children to feel confident and safe to cycle in their cities and countryside and feel better all-round as a result.
Cycling UK View (formal statement of Cycling UK's policy):
•The economic benefits of investing in small scale projects that typically benefit cycling are often underestimated. On the other hand, car-dependence is a significant cost for society and large scale transport projects (e.g. roads) are not the value-for-money they are often thought to be.
•Cycling makes a positive contribution to the national economy and it is a cost-effective investment. It can help:
◦Reduce congestion;
◦Improve public health and save NHS money;
◦Create jobs;
◦Save employers money and improve productivity;
◦Inject money directly into the economy via the cycle trade;
◦Boost the vitality of town centres;
◦Deliver goods efficiently;
◦Lift house prices.
•The Treasury should incentivise cycling through:
◦Adhering to the principle that 'the polluter pays' as the basis of taxation of transport users;
◦Maintaining a tax-free mileage rate that makes cycling on business financially worthwhile;
◦Supporting cycle commuting schemes that save businesses and employees tax (e.g. the ‘salary sacrifice’ Cycle to Work scheme);
◦Reducing VAT on cycle repairs and cycles;
◦Maintaining its policy of not taxing cycles for the use of the roads.

•Both national and local authorities should dedicate sufficient resources to smarter choices, recognising that they rely on revenue rather than capital funding.
•Economics-focused bodies such as Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), regeneration agencies, developers and retailers should recognise the value of cycling and take action to promote and encourage it.
The government's stated ambition is to make
"cycling and walking the natural choice for shorter journeys, or as part of a longer journey"
A You Gov survey, commissioned by British Cycling shows that almost 60% of parents would be uncomfortable with their children cycling to school on a regular basis. Just 2% of school-age children cycle to school in Britain compared with 50% in the Netherlands.
There is a major discrepancy between funding for cycling and walking, when set up against the planned investment for highways and trunk roads - 72p per head (outside of London) for 2020 for cycling and walking compared to £86 per head for roads.
Cycling UK’s #funding4cycling initiative called for at least £10 per head per person.
http://www.cyclinguk.org/
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/