East Midlands Cycle Forum 2026

EAST MIDLANDS CYCLE FORUM

Saturday 3rd October 2026, hosted by 'Pedals' Nottingham Cycle Campaign.

10.30: Welcome from Dave Smith, Chair of 'Pedals'

10.35-11.35: Presentation by Alan Simpson, Sustainable Travel Ambassador, East Midlands Combined County Authority, followed by questions and discussion.

11.55-12.20: Campaign update from Cycle Chesterfield, followed by questions and discussion.

12.20-12.45: Campaign update from Derby Cycling Group, followed by questions and discussion.

13.45-14.10: Campaign update from Leicester Cycling Campaign, followed by questions and discussion.

14.10-14.35: Campaign update from Pedals, followed by questions and discussion.

15.00-16.00: Circular Cycle Ride including the new Waterside Bridge, led by Hugh McClintock. Drinks at the Vat and Fiddle PH before returning to the Community Centre.

Last year (11th October 2025), Ian Prince, John Catt and Cycling UK's Mikey Cottle attended the re-launch of the East Midlands Cycle Forum, hosted by Cycle Chesterfield.

This year (3rd October 2026) 'Pedals' Nottingham Cycle Campaign hosted the forum and was attended by committee members Ian Prince, Tim Newbery and John Catt. 

The opening presentation was delivered by Alan Simpson, Sustainable Travel Ambassador, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). It must be noted that EMCCA is led by Mayor Claire Ward and only covers the four local authority areas of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, exclusive of Rutland, Leicester City and Leicestershire, Northampton and Northamptonshire, Lincoln and Lincolnshire all of which are geographically part of the wider 'East Midlands', due mainly to political disagreements. 

The Leicester Cycling Campaign delegate stated he was disappointed that Leicester City is not part of EMCCA but Leicester City's elected mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, initially strongly opposed joining and the government ruled that Leicestershire and Rutland could not join the four northern EMCCA authorities without the city.

Lincolnshire for example, rather than anchoring itself to the Nottingham/Derby-centric EMCCA, opted to forge its own path. The area has actively established its own separate legal framework, the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, to keep power and funding customized to its unique agricultural, coastal, and local dynamics. Cycling UK East Midlands Region includes all these areas regardless.

Politics aside, Alan gave an informative and impassioned talk stating that he was not against cars but against congestion. The EMCCA has both the highest highway congestion and greatest economic deprivation across England and he welcomed feedback from members of this forum on what works well in addition to highlighting the pinch points. He stressed that there should be a vision led 'transformative' approach to planning (especially in new developments) to create public access routes and corridors. He noted that off-road, traffic free greenways are not always safe for all to use, especially for women.   

In response to questions and discussions, Alan stressed that there needed to be a much greater conversation by all cyclists and cycle organisations on Electric Cycles, or E-Bikes which is continuing to spark polarised debate. For many proponents, the benefits are largely seen as related to Accessibility and Inclusion; that e-bikes make cycling manageable for older adults, commuters facing hilly terrains, or people with lower fitness levels and mobility challenges. Regarding the latter, there are questions to be asked as to what modifications to Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EPAC) as a mobility aid would be legal, how they might be classified and for example where could they be ridden - would they be allowed on footways or cycle lanes? Currently Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (with legal criteria) are NOT classified as 'motorised vehicles' but simply as standard cycles, negating their requirement for vehicle approval, registration, licensing, insurance and safety gear. Language can be very misleading. Cycling UK could and should be proactive and keep up a dialogue with DfT.

Cycle provision on trains (or lack of) was discussed by both the Leicester Cycle Campaign delegate and Hugh McClintock from Pedals. It was interesting to hear that LNER's new Class 897 "Serenza" trains have a redesigned, open-plan cycle storage area equipped with easy-to-use securing straps carriage facilities. No more difficult to reach hooks! The Leicester Cycle Campaign delegate conceded that in his opinion it's too late to do anything about LNER'S 'Azuma' and EMR's 'Aurora' trains although Dave Smith, Chair of Pedals said it's never too late. Maybe campaign groups (including Cycling UK) have time to influence the provision in the next generation of battery electric suburban trains that Trans Pennine Express are ordering. Ian Prince subsequently stated that production of the TPE five-car battery electric Adessia Stream trains to be built by Alstom in Derby is scheduled to begin in 2028, due into service in 2034.  

Following the meeting, most delegates assembled in the car park for a hours Circular Cycle Ride including the new Waterside Bridge, led by Hugh McClintock. Luckily the weather was more akin to a summer's day, with largely clear blue skies and a warm 21 Degrees Celsius. Perfect then to head off to the River Trent. Initially to Trent Bridge, then using NCN15 to pass by Nottingham Rowing Club, Nottingham Forest Football Club, Lady Bay Bridge and to the new Waterside Bridge with many families enjoying a picnic by the river. Since its completion on 2nd June 2026, the new pedestrian and cycle bridge is being well used, averaging 996 walkers and 447 cyclists each day. There's more work to do on the connections to the bridge but Nottingham City Council highways will be tarmacking the temporary route from Waterside Bridge to Poulton Drive and a continuation of the cycle scheme which will provide an improved connection back to our cycling network and onto the city centre.