Thursday 23 April 2015

Vote for Space For Cycling!

You might have noticed that there's an election coming up in the UK. In a couple of weeks, there could be a major change in government, in the way business is conducted in this country. For once we have the people who want to be elected to office actively seeking us out to ask for our support. If you have a pet peeve or cause, now's the time to mention it.
Cycling has been in the news more than ever, as more of us get on our bikes and realise that traffic infrastructure is not fit for purpose. Britain's roads, for the most part, were never intended to carry the amount of cars they see on a daily basis. As petrol supplies dwindle and we are encouraged to get out and get active, then the choice seems obvious. We need more space for cycling.
Our friends at the London Cycling Campaign have been working for years to make the roads of the capital safe for cyclists. With a membership of 12,000 they're hardly a minority voice--in fact it's now estimated that more people in London cycle than drive to work. That's a group with enough collective push to persuade the powers-that-be to make the streets of the city safer and more pleasant for those of use on bikes, whether you're pedalling for pleasure or work.
With local elections taking place at the same time as the General Election, this is the ideal time to buttonhole your local councillor or those running for office, and ask them what they are doing for cyclists. After all, they are the ones that could really make a difference to the local road infrastructure.
The LCC has plenty of campaigning tips that don't just apply to London. However, if you are a cyclist in the capital, they are a cause that you really should be supporting. Check out their campaigning tips here, and sign their ongoing petition here.
Remember, elections are the one time when we the people really get the chance to hold the politicians who claim to represent us to account. Make sure your voice is heard, and take a few minutes to get Space For Cycling onto the agenda in May.

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