“VOTE BIKE!” says national cycling charity
The candidates were asked in a letter from CTC President and Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow to indicate where they stand on five cycling themes: infrastructure, funding, ambition for growth, road safety and positive promotion. This information is available to view at www.votebike.org.uk
The website, which will run for the duration of the election, will also allow the wider public to write to their candidates encouraging them to publicly declare the strength of their support for cycling.
As well as reminding prospective parliamentary candidates about cycling’s importance to their future constituents, Vote Bike will also provide campaigners and constituents with an easy to use database outlining their MP's stance on cycling after the election.
Paul Tuohy, CTC Chief Executive said:
“Around 40% of people of voting age in Great Britain have access to a bike. Every one of them has a vested interest in seeing conditions improve for cycling. Vote Bike gives them the means to quiz their future MPs and hear their thoughts on cycling.
“It’s not about trying to influence manifestos at this late stage. Candidates need to know this huge cycling vote exists.
“Under the past Parliament, cycling has enjoyed a great amount of support from the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group under Julian Huppert, Ian Austin and Sarah Wollaston. Looking forward, CTC also hopes Vote Bike will help the group identify future members to carry on their good work over the next five years.”
Notes to editors
- For further information on Vote Bike, visit the website: www.ctc.org.uk/votebike or use the online action at www.votebike.org.uk
- CTC, the UK’s largest cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.ctc.org.uk
- The five questions asked to candidates are:
- Ambition. Will you support measures to increase levels of cycling to 10% of trips by 2025 and 25% by 2050?
- Funding. Will you support an average government spend of at least £10 per person per year on cycling?
- Design standards. Will you support action to create consistently high design standards for cycling in all highway and traffic schemes, new developments and planned road maintenance work?
- Safety. Will you support measures to improve cycle safety by strengthening road traffic law and its enforcement and revising the Highway Code?
- Positive promotion. Will you support the positive promotion of cycling, including cycle skills training, for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities?
Press contact information
CTC Press Office
Email: publicity@ctc.org.uk
Telephone: 07786 320 713
