Over the last three months we have recorded several instances of motor vehicles crashing onto cycle tracks next to the A23 and A27 near Brighton. The risk to people walking or riding on these tracks is clear. As the vehicles clearly can’t be relied upon to stay on the road, crash barriers are needed. Among the incidents, two lamp posts on the A23 were flattened in separate crashes.
We had a great ride along Brighton seafront with Lilian Greenwood MP, the new Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, on the last day of the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, 30 September 2015.
In the photo, Lilian is on the right in the red jacket. Becky Reynolds, Bricycles Campaigns Officer, also in red is on the left. Julian Bell, Labour Leader of Ealing Council and the Chair of the London Councils Transport & Environment Committee can be seen between the two. Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, Labour’s spokesman on cycling was also there, too.
We promoted Space for Cycling with banners, cards and support from CTC the national cycling charity.
Lilian Greenwood MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport gave a very positive message about holding ministers to account on investment for improvements for cycling. She said:
“I’m delighted to join Bricycles and CTC in Brighton. I am determined that Labour will be a strong voice for cyclists in Parliament, especially as we are approach a critical point in the Government’s policy development. We will be holding Ministers to their promise to produce a meaningful Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy that sets out clear, long term funding – as well as pressing the case for restoring national safety targets.
“Campaigners have made great advances in recent years, but I know as a regular cyclist that there is still a long way to go.”
Sam Jones, CTC Campaigns and Communications Coordinator said:
“It’s great to see the new Labour Transport team coming out in support of cycling down in Brighton.
“There’s cross party support in Westminster, and now more than ever we need to see all parties working together to get Britain cycling. This means the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy must have funding of at least £10 per head, and the national design standards to ensure the money is well spent on space for cycling.”
Becky Reynolds, Bricycles Campaigns Officer said:
“We are very grateful to Lilian and her team for taking time out to ride with us today. Cycling has enormous health and environmental benefits. These need to be extended to more people. We value Labour’s support for a more reliable system of funding for cycling so that using a bike becomes easier and safer for everyone.”
Background blog http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/brighton-labour-conference-2015
The Labour Party Conference starts in a few days’ time at the Brighton Centre in Brighton.
We have arranged a short bike ride in support of “Space for Cycling”, and we will be joined by the new Labour Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood.
Please come along and show your support for cycling and sustainable transport! Please tell friends and colleagues!
The ride will start opposite the Hotel Metropole on the seafront cycle track on Weds 30 September. We’ll meet there at about 08.10 ready for a prompt start when Lilian arrives.
There will be photos and a short ride e.g. to Madeira Drive and back.
The Space for Cycling logo is red and white, so if you can also wear any red clothes, that would make even more of an impression! The weather should be OK. Hope to see you there!
Start point: On the seafront cycle track opposite the Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel King’s Road, Brighton BN1 2FU
We are keen that all political parties support proper investment in cycling and better transport planning so that riding a bike becomes easier and safer for everyone!
Link to further information about Space for Cycling
More background to the event: http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/brighton-labour-conference-2015
Brighton and Hove City Council is made up of 54 councillors. All these seats are up for election on May 7th 2015. Check out the local manifestos from the political parties! This is what the the candidates say they’ll do if you vote for them!
Conservative party manifesto See particularly pages 8 and 11
Green party manifesto See particularly pages 24-26
Labour party manifesto See particularly pages 16-17
There are a lot of differences in their approach to cycling and transport!
Another negative advert has been published in the Argus (18/7/14) by pro-motoring lobby group Unchain the Brighton Motorist. They write: “Unchain your Brighton & Hove! Join our campaign for a better city. Casualties rise by more than 20% on 20 mph roads.” They omit to give the whole story and leave the reader with the impression that this is the situation in Brighton and Hove. But it’s not! Casualties in Brighton and Hove have decreased since the introduction of 20 mph zones. The increased casualties which the ad quotes are simply reflecting the fact that across the country there are many more roads with 20 mph limits. The national casualty figures are not being measured against a baseline. The Department for Transport don’t keep statistics on the total length of 20mph or 30mph roads so any conclusion that the numbers of casualties reflects increased danger is completely baseless. Write to the Argus about this irresponsible ad! letters@theargus.co.uk
