British Cycling has been at the forefront of efforts to persuade the government to invest more in cycling. There has been real progress and excellent commitments from the prime minister and the chancellor, but it is time for them to deliver.

On Wednesday 3 February, MPs will be able to put pressure on ministers to make sure they keep their promises. The debate will mean so much more if your voices – the voices of our 118,000 members – are heard and there are two easy ways for you to get involved:

1. Early next week, British Cycling will be taking part in a Twitter conversation organised by the House of Commons, involving some of the MPs who are passionate about cycling. The views of our members will then be raised in parliament. You can find out how to get involved by visiting the @BritishCycling Twitter account.

2. You can tweet, email or call your MP to ask them to speak on your behalf and raise the issues you care about. You can find out who your MP is via the UK parliament website.

There are some vital issues that we need to see progress on. Our 118,000 members tell us that their priorities for government are meaningful levels of investment, roads that are truly designed for cycling and political leadership.

The government is currently developing the first ever cycling investment strategy which has the potential to meet these three demands.

This debate is a chance for MPs to ask important questions of the minister.
The next stage in the development of the strategy is the government setting out the ‘Statement of funds available’.

Currently, just £300 million of investment has been announced (less than £1.50 per person per year outside of London) which won’t go far in transforming our roads and junctions to make space for cycling.

British Cycling will be asking MPs the following key questions:

• How will the strategy be funded? 
• How can we make the most of other transport investment to ensure it delivers benefits for cycling and walking?

For example, £15 billion is earmarked for the government’s roads investment strategy. With cycling now accounting for 2% of all journeys, what proportion of this money will be used to ensure cycling is accommodated in all new transport schemes?

There are also more innovative ways for government to fund a strategy. For example in Germany, where people cycle five times as many journeys compared to the UK, the Federal Government uses funds from fuel tax revenue to promote local transport objectives. The fund totals around €1.7 billion per year with the government recommending that local authorities invest at least €8 to €19 per head per year in cycling.

The Westminster Hall debate is the chance for your MP to ensure cycling stays at the top of the ministers’ agenda.

There are five important questions that are still to be answered:

1. What is the total amount of dedicated funding being made available to local authorities to make improvements to cycling infrastructure over the next five years?

2. What performance indicators will the Department for Transport put in place to ensure public investment in cycling infrastructure is fit for purpose and meets the standard being seen in London and other cities?

3. What proportion of the £15 billion roads investment strategy will be used to improve cycling infrastructure?

4. What assessment has the government made on potential long-term funding lines for cycling investment such as earmarking tax revenue designed to mitigate the impact of air pollution or road maintenance?

5. What measures will be taken to ensure that all road users understand how to use new cycling infrastructure and interact with cyclists at junctions and when overtaking?