Space for Cycling launched in London

For the first time in London’s political history, a campaign group is lobbying 6,000 local election candidates to support one of 624 ward-specific improvements that would make streets safer and more inviting for everyone to cycle.

In what LCC describes as "the capital's most hyper-local campaign ever", LCC has worked with thousands of local residents as well as teams of volunteers in every borough to create 624 (one per electoral ward) demands for local cycling improvements in Greater London. Proposals include:

• Installing protected cycle lanes in a newly created Bradley Wiggins Way (Kilburn ward, Brent)
• Removing through motor traffic from the cycling corridor on Tavistock Place (Bloomsbury ward, Camden)
• Redesigning Wimbledon’s town centre to be walking and cycling-friendly (Hillside ward, Merton)
• Reducing motor traffic speed to 20mph in Carlton Hill and surrounding streets (Abbey Road ward, Westminster)
• Creating safe cycle routes for children linking six schools in Tufnell Park (Junction ward, Islington)
• Making a cycle route through Russell Park as alternative to busy Woolwich Road (Barnehurst ward, Bexley)

Using the latest online mapping and lobbying technology, Londoners can quickly and easily enter their postcode to locate their ward and then email their council election candidates calling for their support for the specific Space for Cycling measure identified for their area.

They can also use the new tool to see what is being called for in all wards in London and, as the campaign progresses, track responses from candidates.

LCC's campaign has inspired similar campaigns to spring up around the country. CTC will shortly be launching a campaign to take the space for cycling campaign to every councillor in the country - wherever you live you'll be able to challenge your councillor to make space for cycling.

Chris Peck
CTC Policy Coordinator

London Cycling Campaign Chief Executive Ashok Sinha, said, “Council elections should be about local issues, and our Space for Cycling campaign will focus local politicians, and would-be councillors, on making our neighbourhoods safer and more inviting for everyone to cycle and walk.

“Many local people don’t feel safe cycling or crossing the road in residential and local shopping streets. Our proposals for local cycling improvements will, when put in place, dramatically change the character of London streets for everyone’s benefit.”

“This is a non-partisan, grass-roots campaign. Our amazing volunteer teams have used their local knowledge to identify the 624 measures to be taken - one in each ward - and we call on politicians from all parties to give these measures their support.”

LCC’s Space for Cycling campaign is the first stage of a wider national effort by London Cycling Campaign, CTC and cycle campaigners in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield to promote safe Space for Cycling to local authorities across the country.

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