CTC
, the national cycling organisation, is campaigning for all political parties to sign up to a progressive cycling action plan for the UK ahead of the next general election.
This week the government published its Active Travel Strategy (ATS), which is designed to entice people to make more trips by foot and by bike. The CTC noted that the ATS actually contains no new action points, and most crucially no new funding for future cycling facilities or plans.
The CTC has therefore launched its Vote Bike campaign, which aims to encourage cyclists to ask their prospective parlimentary candidates (PPC) to make a firm commitment to cycling, and its future in the UK, by endorsing the CTC's Vote Bike Manifesto.
Thankfully, the CTC has made it easy to get in touch with your PPC by using its online campaigning tool.
"Vote Bike is a quick and easy way to campaign for cycling," CTC campaigns and policy director Roger Geffen said.
"It will encourage the new government to put cycling closer to the heart of their policies on health, transport and communities. It will also provide cyclists with information about what their local candidates think about cycling and will help CTC lobby even more effectively for cycling to be mainstream."
CTC's Vote Bike Manifesto
Commitment to cycling from government departments, local authorities, health and other relevant bodies, to contribute to a national doubling of cycle trips whilst halving the risks within ten years.
Cycle friendly planning and design by local authorities and developers. Practitioners need the training, skills, assessment tools and political support to deliver quality cycling conditions throughout the road network.
Safe drivers and vehicles to tackle the threats of lorries, speeding and irresponsible driving, through training and awareness campaigns for both drivers and cyclists, backed by lower speed limits (e.g. 20 mph for most urban streets) and stronger, better enforced road traffic law.
Better provision for combining cycling with public transport by ensuring good access to stations and interchanges, secure parking (including ‘cycle hubs' at major stations) and sensibly managed provision for carrying cycles on public transport.
Encouragement, incentives and opportunities to try out cycling, in schools and workplaces, and for key target groups (e.g. health patients and disadvantaged groups), plus tax incentives to support the use, purchase and repair of cycles and related accessories.
More and better opportunities for recreational and off-road cycling including the appropriate opening up of green spaces, forest land, rights of way, waterways and sections of Britain's coast.
External links
CTC's Vote Bike campaign
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