Space For Cycling
Building A Political Consensus
Derby Cycling Group
January 2016
Presented by
Tony Roelich
Campaigns Coordinator
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
Space for Cycling Aims
Things must be better for cycle transport
The national Space for Cycling campaign aims to create the
conditions where anyone can cycle anywhere.
At Derby Cycling Group we want to:
• Build political awareness of cycle transport issues
• Gain cross party support for the improvement of
cycle infrastructure and support services
The hardest part: committing to the concept
Once you accept that, the rest is easy
Mere detail
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
Space for Cycling: So Far
Derby Cycling Group’s “Space for Cycling”
campaign has:
– Highlighted issues faced by cyclists
– Given reasons why more cycling would benefit people
and the city
– Described how to deliver better cycle transport routes
and other facilities
– Shown how it has been done elsewhere
(A Guide for Local Decision Makers)
– Communicated this to all city councillors
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
What’s in it for Councillors?
• Cycle infrastructure helps councillors deliver
outcomes in their area of responsibility:
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Transport: keeping traffic moving
Health: active lives = fitness = better health
Job Creation: attracts business to the city
Inward Investment: Decision makers are often cyclists
Housing, Education, Leisure, Communities, Children…
 Delivery of solutions to all departments
• Improves transport choices in every ward
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/258705112_Cycling_and_Health_What's_the_evidence
http://www.ctc.org.uk/campaigning/views-and-briefings/cycling-and-economy
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
What’s in it for Parties?
• Leadership & Strategy: local and national
(e.g. compared to other places)
– Objectives and targets for executives & officers
– Leading the Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy
• Great return on investment
– Typical benefit to cost ratio (BCR) from 4.7 to 6.1*
– Very high because of the wide range of benefits
• Legacy - delivery of change for the better
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Travel behaviour
Improvements in mental and physical health
Better infrastructure
Less congestion and pollution
* DfT Report “Value for Money Assessment for Cycling Grants” August 2014
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
Where’s the Money?
Aspiration, Inspiration, Imagination
Internal Projects:
•Protect existing budgets: make Active Travel no.1 priority
• Deliver cycle infrastructure with other schemes:
 LTP3 “balanced approach”
 Resurfacing/top dressing / Signal upgrades
 Cycle audits: Missed opportunities every year
External Funding:
•LEP (D2N2) – keynote source of future funding
• Government funding pots (there’s never been more)
 LSTF / Safer Cycling Fund / Cycle City Fund
 Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy 2015
• Developer contributions: Maximising the benefit
 Development Control – cycling related planning conditions
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
External Funding = Cycle Strategy
External Funding needs a strong Cycle Transport Strategy
Derby doesn’t have one
We need one now
• To justify our bids & satisfy their scrutiny
• Show how the bid fits Derby’s vision of the future
• To Include:
 Aspirations for cycle transport & cycle network
 A Network Plan
 Infrastructure Standards
Transport Strategy enables building the network in pieces
ensuring it fits together
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
Liberating Cycle Transport
• Competing for Business:
– Leicester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham:
• Cycling Ambitions
– Bikes sell a city:
• Economic Development
• Competitive Advantage
• Unique Offering
– Velodrome is our competitive advantage:
How can we capitalise on it?
From America:
http://www.bikewalkalliance.org/resources/reports/protected-bike-lanes-mean-business
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
What is Expected?
Councillors who sign the pledge are
already helping build a better
environment for cycle transport
You may also like to:
•Devise cycle-friendly party policies
•Encourage cabinet, executive and officers to
develop cycle friendly policies
•Publicise and support proposed cycling schemes
•Attend the council cycle forum
 Derby Cycling Group 2016
The Pledge
Are you prepared to sign our
Space for Cycling pledge?
“ I support the aims of the Space for Cycling
campaign in Derby and will promote them in my
ward and throughout the city”
What does supporting Space for Cycling mean?
That you agree with the notion that better cycle
infrastructure is needed.
 Derby Cycling Group 2016