FEATURE
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“We have a common understanding of the barriers to get more people walking and cycling” Steve Brooks
understanding of the barriers to get more people walking and cycling. There’s a broad range of organisations involved – from people thinking about pedestrian safety to people thinking about where the next Geraint Thomas will come from. “One of the most exciting things is it brings together those partner organisations. We’ve got 300,000 members between us. We can flex more muscle.” Brooks says the partners can now present a unified front when lobbying decision-makers, including the Department for Transport (DfT). The alliance is made up of Sustrans, national cycling organisations the Bicycle Association, British Cycling and Cycling UK, as well as walking charities the Ramblers and Living Streets. www.bikebiz.com
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Born after conversations between chief executives, the coalition launched its ‘Moving the Nation’ manifesto in Manchester this summer, outlining the first five steps it would like to see the Government take to improve cycling and walking provision. Among those supporting the manifesto is Olympic gold medallist turned cycling ambassador Chris Boardman, recently appointed walking and cycling commissioner for Greater Manchester. Boardman says: “Getting more journeys happening on foot or by bike has a transformational effect, as we’ve seen in many cities around the world. “These asks make logical sense and will go a long way to realising our ambitions to create better towns, cities and neighbourhoods across the UK.” November 2018 | 17
23/10/2018 12:12