#ChooseCycling Update
Back in March we blogged about a group of Britain’s biggest businesses joining together along with British Cycling to write an open letter to party leaders asking for their support and commitment on improving cycling in the UK.
Three months down the line the #ChooseCycling campaign is still in full force. Yesterday, a group of the network members including Santander, National Grid and Halfords called for decisive action to be made in regards to cycling to work as an option for employees and customers.
Network members joined MP’s and cycling campaigners on the annual trip from the Dutch Embassy to the Palace of Westminster to celebrate the launch of Bike Week 2015. Members approached minister Robert Goodwill MP about his action plans for cycling.
British Cycling asked that Mr Goodwill backs the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy which was required by the recently passed Infrastructure Act in front of the House of Commons in this year’s summer recess.
The Prime Minister responded to calls with a list of commitments and a pledge in the Conservative manifesto to increase levels of cycling by double by 2025. One of the main points in this pledge is the promise to increase the £6 per person per year spending on cycling to £10 per person per year. This number had already risen dramatically from £2 pp per year during the last Parliamentary run.
Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, Ian Austin has stated that in order for cycling to improve it needs to be about more than just the money. Cycling must be considered when infrastructure issues arise and the safety of cyclists must be paramount. Roads and junctions need to be safe for all – both drivers and cyclists.
