Foreword

Surveys and opinion polls repeatedly show that the public backs measures to enable people to walk and cycle. 1 But, even though separated cycle lanes and increased government funding for active travel schemes are so popular, people overestimate the wider public’s opposition to them. And they’re not alone. Too many politicians don’t realise that the majority favours safer streets where they live and work, and wants them to get on with delivering it. In local authorities across Britain, many councillors have ignored this, yet listened to media headlines, scrapping or watering-down schemes in response to small but vocal opposition. Many have panicked at the first negative headline, and ripped out cycle lanes without giving people time to adapt and change their travel habits. And, in Northern Ireland, where the Department for Infrastructure is responsible for highways, perceived public opposition to active travel schemes still delays delivery. Not only are these schemes popular, but the evidence supporting them is overwhelming.

2 Clearly, we must convince politicians at a local level that building cycle lanes doesn’t just make economic, environmental and public health sense, but there are also votes in it. After all, many sitting and prospective politicians have their eye on the next polling day. On 5 May, there’ll be elections for local authorities in Scotland, Wales and parts of England, and National Assembly elections in Northern Ireland. Cycling UK is running election campaigns across all four nations3 , but we need politicians and candidates to hear the voices of local people telling them it’s time to step up, be bold, and to deliver safe cycling infrastructure where they live. But that sounds like campaigning, and many people who share our vision for cycling don’t really think of themselves as campaigners. They’d like their voice to be heard, but they’re not sure where or how to start. That’s why we’ve produced this guide. It explains how to engage with and influence the people who seek to represent you. From taking your candidate for a cycle ride to using social media, hosting a hustings, engaging with the media and more, we’ve included various simple ‘how to’ guides to help you persuade your local candidates and politicians to listen to you, the evidence and the wider public, not just the media hype. We hope you find this guide helpful, both in the run-up to the May elections and beyond. You don’t have to follow every guide, but hopefully you’ll find something which will help you let your candidates know that this matters to you, and that you expect them to get there with cycling – to make it happen.

Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns, Cycling UK

1 cyclinguk.org/article/cycling-uk-report-urges-bike-lane-planners-be-brave 2 cyclinguk.org/article/six-reasons-build-cycle-lanes 3 cyclinguk.org/elections-2022