Volunteer Celebration: introducing the Cycle Advocacy Network

Cycle campaigning can sometimes seem like an uphill battle, but when you can share the load with others as part of a national network, with support from a cycling charity, it’s a lot easier – and a lot more enjoyable!

With climate change seriously affecting many parts of the world, it’s never been more urgent that we switch to a low-carbon economy, and lobby national and local decision-makers to make that happen.

Cycling UK’s 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, with the strapline ‘supporting you to speak up for cycling’.

In this video, CAN coordinator Stephen Dominy explains how the network operates by providing people, whatever their backgrounds and interests, with the tools they need to speak up for cycling.

We want to get people talking together, not just to each other or between each other, but also to decision-makers. We want to give people the tools they need to help them to be more effective in what they’re doing

Stephen Dominy, CAN coordinator

Using his own tools – a spanner and a couple of, of course, tin cans – to make his key points about coming together to make change, he said: “We want to get people talking together, not just to each other or between each other, but also to decision-makers. We want to give people the tools they need to help them to be more effective in what they’re doing.”

Pictures of some of the members of the CAN network were even put onto cans to illustrate some of the ways in which they are advocating for cycling in their local communities.

Get involved

You too CAN find out how to speak up for cycling by signing up to connect with CAN and get information on upcoming events, including webinars and workshops, surgery advice sessions, and campaign action suggestions that will help you build momentum locally.