New-look Senedd must prioritise cycling

Some say there are three certainties of Welsh life: death, taxes and a Welsh Labour government. But with political landscapes changing across the UK and Labour performing badly in recent opinion polls, this old maxim looks likely to need an update after election day next May.

Welsh Labour has dominated the Senedd since devolution in 1999. The party has, arguably, enjoyed the longest unbroken winning streak of any democratic party in Europe, having been Wales’s largest political force for over a century.

A new electoral system is being used for the first time on 7 May. It will result in more Senedd members and potentially a new political party or alliance of parties in government.

Reform UK and Plaid Cymru are currently neck and neck in the opinion polls. If this reflects peoples’ real voting intentions we would for the first time see a party other than Labour leading the next Welsh Government.

However, the new voting system is likely to mean no one party has an overall majority. The make-up of the next government may come down to which political parties are willing to work together in partnership.

It is, therefore, even more important for us to try to win support for cycling from every party, in case they find themselves in power – we want every party to understand the benefits to be had from investing in cycling.

Preparing our manifesto

We have been busy preparing a manifesto, outlining what we want parties to commit to ahead of the election.

Our theme for the manifesto is ‘choice’ and for the next Welsh Government to make cycling the easy choice for everyone. Too many people are locked into driving for journeys because there’s no safe space to cycle or no reliable public transport for them to use.

We desperately need the next Welsh Government to boost funding for cycling and build on the benefits brought by the sustained ring-fenced budget increases seen over the past five years.

Our headline ask of all parties is that they make a strong commitment to spend at least 10% of the transport budget on cycling, walking and wheeling schemes that enable people to cycle, including creating safe infrastructure.

Priorities for cycling and better transport in 2026

We will officially launch our campaign and publish our election manifesto in the new year. We would love your support at that time and will provide ways you can speak up for cycling with politicians.

Until then, here is a sneak peek at few of the other themes in our manifesto which we believe will help more people choose cycling:

• Safer roads: furthering calls for change in our ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign and ensuring rural roads are safer for people riding bikes.
• Paths to green spaces: increasing access to the countryside and creating more paths to nature and greenspace – for health and recreation.
• Better transport systems and connectivity: a fair transport system where it’s easier to combine cycling with other forms of transport instead of driving.

The aim now is to keep talking to each political party and influence their thinking, so they adopt our ideas and make them commitments in their manifestos.

Broadening our influence

Cycling is part of the answer to many of society’s problems and by working with others in Wales we are strengthening the case for change and broadening the voices speaking up for cycling.

The following coalitions and groups, with whom we work, are also aiming to influence politicians ahead of the election:

• Outdoor Alliance Wales – Manifesto 2026: Delivering sustainable and responsible outdoor recreation and lifelong learning experiences and opportunities for a resilient and healthy Wales.
• Healthy Air Cymru – will be publishing a manifesto at a later date.

Elections are a key time to win strong commitments from politicians and your support is crucial. We will be providing ways you can speak up for cycling in the coming months.

Right now, there’s the opportunity to be part of our Cycle Advocacy Network in Wales and join us and others in the call for change.