CHILDREN AND CYCLING

That this House recognises the Government's financial support for the encouragement of cycling; urges it to extend its support to help promote more cycling by children; is conscious that nearly one household in three are bike-free zones and that only 2 per cent. of children travel to school by bike; welcomes the Halfords campaign calling on the Government to work at EU level to secure a reduction of valued added tax on children's bikes and safety accessories to 5 per cent.; further recognises the benefits that cycling brings in tackling obesity and addressing other health issues, environmental concerns and traffic congestion; and also notes the potential savings that this measure would bring to a number of Government departments, particularly the Department of Health as it helps to tackle the increasingly alarming obesity crisis.