Cycling UK is writing to all parliamentary candidates, asking them if they will pledge to support an increase in investment in cycling and walking to at least five per cent of transport spending next year, rising to at least 10 per cent within five years. The charity is encouraging supporters to do the same and has provided a tool so that you can easily do this on its website.
“We need people to ask their candidates to stand up for cycling, walking and a healthier future,” said Cycling UK chief executive, Paul Tuohy. “Don’t delay – take action now and help us identify Parliament’s future champions for greener travel.”
The charity says the level of funding it is asking for is the minimum required for the next Government to meet its targets of doubling cycling journeys in England by 2025, and to achieve similar levels of walking and cycling throughout the UK.
Up until the election, only two per cent of transport spending went towards cycling and walking.
Tuohy explained: “We’re breathing toxic air. Too many people are becoming obese or enduring inactivity related ill-health. Our roads are congested and vehicle emissions are compounding the climate crisis.
“But the good news is that fixing this isn’t rocket science. We just need proper investment in cycling and walking, to enable more people to move around actively, particularly for short journeys.”
7 thoughts on “Contact your parliamentary candidates and ask them to support cycling”
Well, that was easy. I did
Well, that was easy. I did modify the message a bit, tightened it up and made more concise, but without changing the meaning, and asking the candidates to reply. This was so easy that I’m sure all the keyboard warriors on this site have already done it, or will be doing it in the near future.
We need more funding for active travel, whatever our position on taking the lane, speed limits or helmets, surely we can all agree on that? If we can get a sufficient number of candidates who then get elected to sign up, we have a platform for demanding that they fulfil their promises. Without it, we just stumble along getting crumbs from the transport budget whenever the minister wants to pretend to be green.
Chapeau to CUK for producing this and taking positive action to finally get the funding active travel needs.
Sadly cycling is never going
Sadly cycling is never going to top people’s priorities at a Genral Election, especially this one. The best we can do is keep lobbying during the term. This is were Lord Chris Boardman is very useful.
oh, that and the need for a Spine Transplant Unit in Islington.
My MP – Chris Green – is on
My MP – Chris Green – is on the cross party cycling committee or whatever they’re called. All well and good, but I’d rather slam my bollocks in a car door than vote for a Tory.
As important as cycling is,
As important as cycling is, there are more important challenges facing the UK right now.
OldRidgeback wrote:
Such as? Given that cycling helps so many of the basic problems affecting our society: health, obesity, pollution, congestion, community severance, sustainability, climate change etc.
There is nothing that I am aware of that has so much benefit for so little cost, and offers so much benefit for the biggest challenges facing us.
burtthebike wrote:
I also think that looking at a candidate’s attitude towards cycling/driving and the future of people health and welfare is a very good litmus test of their general suitability to be voted for. Unfortunately, my view does mean that I’ve got a very small choice of which way to vote.
hawkinspeter wrote:
generally best not to vote based on the personality of party leaders, nor on specific single issues, nor to seek perfection. Rather, vote for the candidate who is most likely to help bring about the closest approximation of the type of society you want to live in.