Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with me about the Vote Bike Manifesto. I am pleased to support the drive to encourage cycling which is both a healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport.
I fully support the aim to double cycle use within ten years. We are committed to including the promotion of safer cycling and walking in all local transport plans and promoting ‘Liveable Cities’ with requirements for decentralised public services like schools and hospitals and safe walking and cycling routes in new developments.
I know that road safety is a key issue and through our commitment to improving road safety, road quality and reducing traffic levels, on-road cycling will be made easier, safer and more accessible to all. We will promote cycling competency schemes and encourage better facilities for cyclists. We will also ensure that road traffic law is enforced with equal vigour in relation to cyclists in order to secure the safety of all road users.
Liberal Democrats will require train and coach operators to accommodate bicycles on all new vehicles and improve cycle storage and parking at stations. We will introduce a cycling ‘Gold Standard’ award for all rail and bus stations which meet minimum cycle facility standards, including adequate provision of secure cycle parking and information on local cycle routes.
To encourage more people to cycle, we support the adoption of large scale bicycle rental programmes such as the ‘Cyclocity’ scheme running successfully in Paris, and for many years in Germany. We would also provide personal travel advice and promotional activities on walking, cycling and bus alternatives.
Finally, we would promote an expansion of the National Cycle Network, particularly off-road routes.
