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A Birmingham councillor who claimed a £23 million cycling scheme was just for “young white men” has hit back at her critics.

Edgbaston Tory Coun Deirdre Alden sparked a storm when she said plans to create a “Cycle City” were discriminatory.

Her critics condemned her as “absurd”, “parochial, regressive and mistaken”, “politically correct” and a “typical hypocrite”.

But, in a letter to the Mail’s sister title, the Birmingham Post, Coun Alden insisted she stood by her views.

“I have received complaints about this proposal from my constituents,” she said.

“Not least because there will be a significant loss of parking spaces which Edgbaston can ill-afford.

“In asking for the assessment, I made the factual observation that most, not all, but most, of the cyclists I see in my area are young white men.

“Of course I know some elderly, disabled, women and people from all ethnic groups cycle.

“But clearly many in Birmingham – for lots of reasons – don’t feel they can.

“Surely it would be better to spend some of the cycling money in ways which would help those groups who don’t currently choose to cycle?”

Coun Alden originally spoke out after the Department for Transport gave Birmingham £17 million to become a “Cycle City”.

The cash will allow the creation of a network of safe new routes aimed at tempting commuters out of their cars.

Cash will be used to buy 5,000 bikes and set up cycle hubs with 2,000 of them given away.

There will be improvements to ‘off road’ routes such as Rea Valley, Cole Valley and Tame Valley, and also along canal towpaths.

Birmingham City Council will also put £6.3 million into the project.

Key commuter routes, including Hagley Road and Bristol Road, will have dedicated cycle lanes and safety improvements will be made at junctions.

But Coun Alden’s view’s provoked angry responses.

The Sustrans charity, which works to increase the number of journeys made by foot, bike or public transport, disputed her claim.

Spokeswoman Yvonne Gilligan said: “While many cyclists are young men, many of us are from backgrounds as diverse as the community we live in.

“It’s a great joy to see people of all shapes and sizes taking to the bike as we work towards a greener, healthier and safer city.”