Do you want to help get more people cycling? Do you want to share the joy of riding a bike? Do you want to see real change - with separated cycle lanes, safer roads, and shops, offices and homes accessible by bike? So do we!
The Cycle Advocacy Network (CAN) brings together people with a shared interest in creating the conditions that enable more people to cycle, including better infrastructure for cycling and safer roads.
The CAN resources, events and tools on this page are open to all, and there are specific ways to get involved listed below. If you'd like more detail, please read the Introduction to the Cycle Advocacy Network - and join us on the journey to get more people cycling.
We have an easy-to-read campaigning handbook, an expanding toolkit of ‘how-to’ guides, links to Cycling UK’s views and briefings as well as suggestions of other people to link up with.
We have an easy-to-read campaigning handbook, an expanding toolkit of ‘how-to’ guides, links to Cycling UK’s views and briefings as well as suggestions of other people to link up with.
| Action | Summary | Where/who | Get involved |
|---|---|---|---|
Tell your MP to stop the cuts to cycling in England | On 9 March, the Transport Secretary announced that dedicated active travel funding for the next two years in England is being reduced from £308 million to only £100 million. Cycling UK urge you reach out to your MP, and ask them to tell the Government to restore the active travel budget. | England | CONTACT YOUR MP |
Active Travel: links between Newton and Mumbles - have your say | Swansea Council are holding a public consultation on proposals in improve walking and cycling facilities between Newton and Mumles | Wales | SPEAK OUT |
Major sustainable travel proposals for Newport city centre unveiled | Proposals to make major sustainable travel improvements in Newport city centre have been unveiled. They set out a series of improvements to Newport railway station, Queensway and Old Green roundabout. Members of the public are being invited to give their views. | Wales | HAVE YOUR SAY |
Respond to Luton's consultation on their cycling plan | Luton Borough Council are seeking views on their draft Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) using an online survey that will be open from 1 February 2023 to 1 April 2023 | England | SPEAK UP FOR CYCLING |
Provide a safe alternative to Network Rail’s greenway closures in Kirklees | Network Rail is closing the Birkby Bradley Greenway for 9 months and will be closing the Calder Valley Greenway at Colliery Bridge to work on The Transpennine Upgrade. These greenways are the only safe route for people on bicycles travelling between Huddersfield the north Kirklees towns. | England | CALL FOR A SAFE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE |
Influence your Union to campaign for active travel | Read (and be inspired by) Jill's story and then work out how you can use her proposal to the National Education Union as a starting point in your own union or professional body. | UK wide | KICKSTART YOUR CAMPAIGN |
Research and recover lost rights of way | There are thousands of historical rights of way were recorded incorrectly when councils were compiling their official maps in the 1950s. However, the public’s right to ride on them still exists. It hasn’t just disappeared because they’ve been marked incorrectly on a map. Discover and recover lost rights of way near you. | England and Wales | FIND THE WAYS |
If you’ve ever spoken up for cycling, tried to influence your local council, or cycled your child to school, you're already a cycling champion.
Add your name to our growing community and receive information about upcoming events in CAN; including webinars and workshops, surgery advice sessions, and campaign action suggestions that will help you build momentum locally.
By volunteering for Cycling UK as a local rep or regional coordinator, you can maximise the impact you can have in your area.
Become a local representative of Cycling UK and join our forum for local campaigners. Ask questions, share advice, access the expertise of the hive mind.
Whether you’re calling on your council for safer roads, working with local parents for routes to schools, building a local movement for active travel, opening up off-road access or responding to consultations - other people will be working on similar issues across the UK. Your time is precious, your insights are valuable.
If you already have experience in local campaigning and want to help lubricating the chain links of the Cycle Advocacy Network, join us as a regional coordinator, providing support and oversight to local representatives in your patch.
You may already be part of a local campaign or group, speaking up for cycling in your community, or perhaps you are in the process of starting one up. The Cycle Advocacy Network can be a resource for you, too.
We are particularly keen to support smaller groups and new starters. Visit the CAN page for your nation to find out more about how your group can partner with us.
Are you looking to speak up for cycling in your community? Do you want to connect with someone nearby?
This is a map of the local representatives in our growing Cycle Advocacy Network.
Those with blue markers have chosen to make their contact details public. They are potentially useful contact points who can support you with local campaigning issues.
If you are interested to find out more about becoming a Local Representative yourself, please email Cycling UK's campaigns officer, Stephen Dominy or apply online.
