The government''s response to the Stern review and Eddington report, which was announced by transport minister Ruth Kelly, has been cautiously welcomed by the CTC cyclists'' organisation.The Department for Transport report, ''Towards a Sustainable Transport System'', puts forward "the government''s commitment to a transport policy which delivers economic growth and lower carbon emissions", and claims that bikes are one method that can help."It''s great to see government recognising that cycling can help tackle the twin crises of obesity and climate change," said campaigns and policy manager Roger Geffen. "But what''s needed is action now, not the promise of a white paper in the future."Last year''s Eddington report showed that ''smarter choices'' - including cycle training - are one of the most cost-effective ways to encourage people out of their cars and onto sustainable transport."We hope the government takes these findings into account when resolving the forthcoming funding settlement for cycling."The group notes that most car trips are under five miles in length, and many could easily be undertaken on a bike.The government report also mooted the possibility of charging drivers to use motorways, which would encourage people to adopt greener methods of transport.
