Cardiff has been chosen to take part in an exciting partnership which would see a major programme of cycling activities developed in the capital.
This would include an annual high-profile mass participation cycling event involving thousands of cyclists riding on a circuit of closed roads in central Cardiff.
The Council is being asked to agree to a five-year partnership, with the option to extend for up to three years, with British Cycling to enable the delivery of the HSBC-Sponsored UK Core Cities cycling project in Cardiff.
As part of the agreement, Cardiff Council would need to make an annual match-funding contribution to the value of £100,000 either directly or partially through ‘value in kind.'
The proposal involves British Cycling, with the backing of HSBC, investing £500,000 per year which will support a comprehensive programme of cycling development activities delivered in Cardiff by British Cycling in partnership with Welsh Cycling and Cardiff Council.
A successful City Ride organised by British Cycling and sponsored by HSBC was held in August this year with 4,000 riders taking part.
The provisional date for the new Mass City ride is Sunday, May 13, 2018, where city centre streets would be closed to form a traffic-free circuit for cycling.
The intention is to make the event part of a Car Free Day in 2018.
It is hoped the event will attract 8,000 riders.
On top of that, there will be a programme of guided and supported group rides for all abilities.
Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Caro Wild,said increasing cycling as a way of people making their daily journey around Cardiff is a priority in the Council's five-year plan for the city - called Capital Ambition - with a commitment to place active travel at the heart of planning, transport and highway policy.
He added: "Our target is for more than 50% of journeys to be made by bike, on foot, or by public transport by 2026."
Cllr Wild added: "The potential to grow cycling in Cardiff is considerable with 28% of Cardiff residents saying they do not currently cycle but would like to."
He said: "Cycling can make an important contribution to encouraging a healthy lifestyle and also offers a practical solution to Cardiff's major transport and pollution issues."
Cllr Wild added: "We have wider ambitions when it comes to cycling, including developing safer routes to schools and an active travel plan for cycling and walking for every school in Cardiff.
"The combined resources of the HSBC / British Cycling and council programmes will be the ideal way to help realise our ambitions and It will also complement the council's annual programme of road safety and training in schools.
"So I'm delighted British Cycling has chosen Cardiff to be part of this partnership, with Welsh Cycling and HSBC.
"It has the potential to deliver a number of benefits for Cardiff, including a comprehensive programme of cycling development aligned to the council's cycling strategy and further develop Cardiff's reputation as a ‘world class cycling city.'
Cllr Peter Bradbury, theCabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "This exciting HSBC British Cycling programme provides an unprecedented opportunity to deliver a comprehensive package geared to the development of cycling for transport, recreation and sport in Cardiff.
"This will include providing ways for young people to further participate in cycling for leisure and sporting competition through existing and new cycling clubs and local rides."
Cllr Bradbury added: "The partnership will aim to increase participation, recruit new coaches and volunteers and provide a pathway for those showing potential in the sport of cycling. Building on the success at Maindy, we hope to find the next Geraint Thomas and Elinor Barker to represent Cardiff on the World stage."
He added: "Cardiff is no stranger to playing host to fantastic high-profile cycling events, such as the Tour of Britain, Velothon Wales and this summer's brilliantCity Ride."
The report will give committee members the chance to consider the proposals before they go to the Council cabinet meeting on November 16.
Chair of Cardiff Council's Environmental Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Ramesh Patel said: "Following the high-profile success of Welsh cyclists such as Geraint Thomas, Elinor Barker, Owain Doull and Luke Rowe we are all aware of the growing popularity of cycling here in Wales and across the UK. The health benefits of regular exercise are also widely publicised. But the role of my Committee is to analyse the finer details of this proposal and to make recommendations to the Cabinet on whether or not this Partnership is the best way of promoting cycling in Cardiff."
The item on the proposed British Cycling/HSBC Cycling Partnership with Cardiff Council will be received by the Committee at 6:10pm on Tuesday 7th November.
The venue for the meeting will be Committee Room 4 in County Hall and members of the public are welcome to attend. The meeting will also be broadcast via a live webcast that can be viewed here: https://cardiff.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
For details of the full meeting agenda and to view papers for the meeting please visit: http://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=3131&Ver=4