Cycling should be a central issue at the next election, the co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group will say tomorrow (Thursday).

Speaking at the opening of the 12th Cycle Show and “Love Cycling” Conference at the NEC in Birmingham, Labour MP Ian Austin will say 2015 is the moment to achieve a real breakthrough in government support for cycling.

Austin wants cycling campaign groups and the cycling industry to challenge political parties to sign up to pledges to invest in safer facilities and support other measures to promote cycling and get more people cycling, based on the Vote4Cycling campaign organised during the recent Australian election by former Tour de France rider Stephen Hodge.

The All Party Cycling Group recently published the “Get Britain Cycling” report with 18 recommendations to boost cycling from less than 2% journeys in 2011, to 10% in 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050.  It recommends that the government invests a larger share of the transport budget on measures to promote cycling such as more segregated cycle lanes and improved junctions, provide more training for cyclists, teach children to ride at school and support businesses who want to enable their staff to commute by bike. The full report can be read at: http://allpartycycling.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/get-britain-cycling1.pdf

Ian Austin said:

“Let’s start planning now to make cycling a really important issue at the next election”

“I have asked British Cycling, Sustrans, the CTC and the Bicycle Association to draw up proposals to make cycling a central issue at the next election.”

“Wouldn’t it be great to have a high-profile campaign like the Australians?”

“We can use the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group’s Get Britain Cycling recommendations to develop clear demands and call on the political parties to sign up to them, let’s challenge all the parties to produce manifestos for cycling, with detailed pledges about the investment they will earmark, and the improvements they will make to get more people cycling.

“Let’s organise hustings on cycling and mobilise cyclists, local campaigns, clubs and groups around the country, support them and equip them with the resources they need to meet their local candidates and demand they pledge to support cycling too.”

“The next election is the moment we can achieve a real breakthrough and get the changes we want to see to promote cycling in Britain”

‘IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS NOW’ 100 MPs TELL PARLIAMENT DURING BEST EVER ATTENDED DEBATE ON CYCLING

The Get Britain Cycling recommendations received unanimous support from Parliament with around 100 MPs attending last night’s four hour long Parliamentary debate on cycling – the best ever attended on the issue in living memory.

The report’s key recommendations – including putting cycling at the heart of transport policy, sustained investment of at least £10 per head, improving HGV safety, reviewing the justice system and appointing a national cycling champion – were all debated at length and speeches were made by over 70 MPs.

Commenting on the debate, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling, Julian Huppert MP, who proposed the motion said:

“For decades, governments have not done enough to support cycling, and while the steps taken by this government are welcome, particularly the support from the Cycling Minister Norman Baker, there is far more still to do. This Government should do more to implement our recommendations, and I would like all parties to adopt these recommendations for their next manifestos. My own party, the Liberal Democrats, will be discussing this at our party conference in two weeks.

We need year-on-year funding and a change of mind-set to put cycling at the forefront of planning and design if we are to see real change. The time has come for governments and all politicians to move from warm words to action.”

Ian Austin MP, the other Co-Chair said:

“Last night was an incredible moment for cycling in this country. This fact that over 100 MPs attended to highlight the issues that matter to their constituents shows the massive impact that cycling is having in this country. This debate was tremendously supported and shows the consensus on this issue across all parties.

We should use the inquiry and the debate to drive cycling up the agenda. Let us make cycling an election issue, with local cyclists getting candidates to sign pledges and with the parties competing to produce the best manifesto for cycling. Let us continue the campaign to get Britain cycling.”

Another theme that emerged from last night’s debate was the need for cross-government collaboration so that all departments are committed to the same action plan. Holland, Denmark and Germany were all cited as examples of where governments are getting it right. The UK government’s recent £77 million funding announcement was welcomed but MPs said the level of funding should be sustained over more than two years and that it should go to all areas rather than just the eight successful cities.

Implementing 20mph speed limits was also raised as an issue. Dr Sarah Wollaston MP said: “We need to completely change our priorities in relation to speed to get as many people cycling as possible.”

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Maria Eagle MP, last night launched Labour’s eight point plan on cycling, including a commitment to look at minimum standards for HGV safety requirements. “It’s time to end the stop-start approach that is getting in the way of progress and agree a cross-party, long-term commitment to cycling,” Eagle said.

Speaking for the government, Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP, talked MPs through the government’s response to the Get Britain Cycling report, saying: “I believe that we have the most pro-cycling Government that the country has ever had, and we are determined to go even further. Cycling is good for the environment, good for individual health, and good for the economy. It is good for the environment, because it cuts carbon emissions, noise and air pollution… This government takes cycling very seriously and will make further progress”

The Get Britain Cycling inquiry’s report, published on 24 April, made several recommendations for the government, including endorsing a target of 10 per cent of all journeys to be made by bike by 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050; and calls on the government to show strong political leadership, including an annual Cycle Action Plan and sustained funding for cycling of at least £10 per head.

For more information about the Get Britain Cycling inquiry, visit: http://allpartycycling.org/

A landmark report on the future of cycling in Britain calls for a national cycling champion to lead a drive for 10 per cent of all journeys in Britain to be by bike by 2025.

More of the transport budget should be spent on supporting cycling, at an initial rate of at least £10 per person per year, increasing as cycle levels increase, says the report by British Parliamentarians.

The report of the influential All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group inquiry ‘Get Britain Cycling’ also calls for 20mph speed limits to become standard in urban areas and lower speed limits on many rural roads. It also says that all children should be given the chance to learn the skills of road cycling, at primary and secondary school.

The group’s report, published today (24 April) follows extensive public evidence from over 100 individuals and organisations, including cycling organisations, the Automobile Association, and a wide range of government departments and ministers.

It is both possible and necessary to expand the role of cycling in the nation’s transport and social life, says the group. This will lead to reduced congestion, environmental benefits and healthier citizens.

The aim is increase cycle use from less than 2 per cent of journeys in 2011, to 10 per cent of all journeys in 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050.

For this to happen, leadership is needed right from the top, the MPs and Peers conclude. They call on the Government to appoint a National Cycling Champion to advocate for cycling across all departments and externally.

Key recommendations include:

• More of the transport budget should be spent on supporting cycling, at a rate initially set to at least £10 per person per year, and increasing as cycling levels increase

• Cycling should be considered at an earlier stage in all planning decisions, whether transport schemes or new houses or businesses

• More use should be made of segregated cycle lanes, learning from the Dutch experience

• Urban speed limits should generally be reduced to 20 mph

• Just as children learn to swim at school they should learn to ride a bike

• The Government should produce a detailed cross-departmental Cycling Action Plan, with annual progress reports

Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge and Co-Chair of the group, said: ‘Cycling has huge advantages – it is fast, safe, healthy, efficient, reliable, environmentally sound, and fun. We all benefit when people choose to cycle.

‘One of the most consistent points made was that lower speed limits reduce the number and severity of collisions for both pedestrians and cyclists – we should heed that advice. It will improve safety and reduce the fear of cycling that too many feel.

‘This generation of politicians has the chance to be long remembered for having a vision for cycling that includes us all. Put simply, Britain needs to re-learn how to cycle. This report sets out how this can be done.’

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North and Co-Chair of the group said: ‘Too often, cyclists are just an afterthought. When collisions happen, the police and courts let the victims down, with sentences that do not fit the harm caused – this must be changed.

‘The real test of whether something is taken seriously in Government is who leads on it – and that means the Prime Minister has to take that lead.

‘With the excitement of the Olympics and Tour de France last year, cycling has captured the public imagination and is ready to grow. Our proposals will make that happen, and get Britain Cycling.’

Dr Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes and treasurer of the group said: ‘Cycling saves you money, improves your fitness and your quality of life. Please help us to make it safer for everyone by lobbying your MP to support cycling and most of all by joining us on your bike to Get Britain Cycling’.

Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch and vice chair of the group said: ‘In Hackney strong political leadership has shown what can be done with Hackney topping the league tables for journeys by bike in London. We now need that leadership nationally.’

Journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow said ‘At last Parliament is pedaling the talk and recognising the urgent need for political leadership on actions for cycling. Whichever Party Leader now seizes this opportunity, will reap dividends.

Cycling is no longer an eccentric past time, but an urgent day to day need with massive potential, and positive outcomes for transport, health, and economic efficiency. Dare we think Ministerial action on this excellent report?’

The President of the Automobile Association, Edmund King, said ‘If the recommendations in Get Britain Cycling are followed through it should be the catalyst for change to put cycling on the front foot. The clear vision is to change cycling from a ‘minority sport’ to a mainstream mode of travel.

Currently 18% of AA members cycle regularly but if these recommendations become reality we could see these numbers double. We now need leadership to match this vision. Drivers and cyclists are often the same people and they should all welcome this report.’

British Cycling’s Chris Boardman, said ‘The benefits of getting more people to cycle in terms of health and improving the places in which we live are clear. We need to be ambitious and set ourselves quantifiable targets to increase the number of people on bikes. Only then will we have a yardstick against which we can measure our every action and policy. This is how we go about winning gold medals at British Cycling because we know it is the only way to be successful.’

The Summary & Recommendations: Get Britain Cycling

Phil Goodwin’s full report: Get Britain Cycling_Goodwin Report