Tackling bad driving will encourage cyclists – but more money is needed

It's time for the Treasury to allocate significant funding so the nation can reap the huge benefits of more people cycling

The government has announced 1m of funding to help police forces across the UK crack down on close passing of cyclists by drivers, and to improve driving instructor training around cycling safety.

Although the sum is small beer indeed in transport terms, split between two projects, poor driver behaviour is a key reason people are discouraged from cycling in the UK. If we can start to tackle the culture of poor driving, including at source with driving instructors, we could eliminate a major reason more people don't cycle - but it needs more money.