HALFORDS SUPPORTS THE DFT’S NEWLY ANNOUNCED CYCLING PLANS
Retailer lends support for Government’s plan that brings
‘national’ back into cycling planning
Halfords, the UK’s leading cycle retailer, is lending its support to the Government’s newly announced plan that brings ‘national’ back into planning for cycling. On 16thOctober, the DFT released its consultation version of its Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan, outlining plans to double cycling by 2025 and to explore how further funding can be generated for cycle schemes across England. Unlike many previous government announcements that focussed on ‘localism’, the new consultation appears to recognise the need for national leadership.
Says Emma Fox, Commercial Director at Halfords: ‘It’s great to see a delivery plan that stresses the importance of strong leadership being critical at both a local and national level. It’s music to our ears that the Government is committed to bringing about so many positive changes in cycling in England. We very much look forward to hearing further developments in the Government’s Delivery Plan as well as details on funding for such an ambitious and welcome initiative.’
Halfords recently issued a state-of-the-nation report on cycling safely which uncovered how important cycling is to our nation and how vital the nation thinks cycling education is from a young age. A massive 82 per cent of all those questioned claim they would support a requirement on the National Curriculum that all children be taught to cycle competently, confidently and proficiently on the roads.
Emma goes on to say “The Government has claimed it is serious about making the UK a cycling nation, kick-starting a cycling revolution that will remove barriers for future generations of cyclists. At Halfords, we know how important is it to start these skill sets young and educate the next generation on cycling. Since April last year, more than 44,000 parents and children have attended a Halfords kids’ bike workshop, where children aged 7-11 learn basic bike safety, repair and maintenance. Halfords has also brought bike workshops to primary schools nationwide this year - these initiatives help fuel a lifelong interest in cycles – as well as sound cycling safety knowledge.
To ensure we become a cycling nation, there needs to be support on a national level; the recent DFT announcement is therefore a welcome step in the right direction. According to our recent cycle safety report, the announcement will be welcome by many across the UK - over half of us (55 per cent) claim the Government should give more attention and investment to cycle safety in general."
-ENDS-
For further information please contact Halfords@z-pr.com or 020 7896 3404
Halfords Group plc
The Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator. Halfords customers shop at over 460 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 300 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices.
The Halfords group strategy is based on three pillars:
· Supporting Drivers Of Every Car
· Inspiring Cyclists Of Every Age
· Equipping Families For Their Leisure Time
Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to around 30,000 lines online. The product offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycling, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include Apollo and Carrera cycles, augmented by exclusive UK distribution rights for the premium-ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Gelert and Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.
www.halfords.com
www.halfordsautocentres.com
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