Campaigns and Policy

28th July 2008

Campaigns Team

• Cherry Allan - Information Co-ordinator

• Roger Geffen - Campaigns Manager

• Chris Peck - Policy Co-ordinator

• Vacancy - Road Safety Campaigner

What do we do?

• Campaigns

• Information

• Policy

Roger Geffen – Campaigns Manager

Campaigns

– Reacting to media events

– Improving conditions for cyclists through pro-active work

– Supporting membership retention

Information

• Producing CycleDigest – quarterly 12 page magazine

• Maintain information resources and library

• Provide information briefings

Cherry Allan – Information Co-ordinator

Policy

• Responding to Government proposals

• Developing CTC’s stance on all transport issues Chris Peck – Policy Co-ordinator

To improve conditions for cycling we need:

– reduced car use

– improved relations between road users

– a positive attitude and policy towards cycling/cyclists

More cycling = equality

• Where cycling levels are highest, there is a better gender balance

• In Holland 55% of cyclists are female

Benefits of cycling

• Health and environment

• Foresight Report on obesity– 10/2007:

Many climate change goals would also help prevent obesity, such as measures to reduce traffic congestion, increase cycling or design sustainable communities

Health

• Countries with low levels of cycling have high obesity

• 70% of women get less than the recommended level of physical activity

Obesity and cycle use in Europe

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Environment

• 65% of all car trips in England are under 5 miles – a 30 minute cycle ride

• For the average commuter switching from car to bike would save around half a tonne of carbon dioxide a year

Solution: 20 mph default

• Hull has seen 90% decrease in KSI in zones, 56% decrease in collisions (1994 – 2001)

• London’s previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone was pushing for borough-wide 20 mph

Cycling England

• Formed in 2005, initially received £5m a year

• In 2008 received £140m over next three years.

• 17 Cycle Demonstration Towns/City, 500,000 children Bikeability trained

Priorities

Three external drivers:

1. Transport White Paper, winter 2008

2. Road Safety Strategy, summer 2009

3. Local authority guidance, design and transport strategies, 2009

Bad infrastructure

Warrington Cycle Campaign

Good infrastructure

• Contraflow

• Wide (2 metres)

• Road markings

Highway Code campaign:

– original wording, 1998 edition:

Use cycle routes when practicable.

– ‘final version’:

Use cycle facilities… where provided.

– final published version:

Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

Road safety activity - 2008

• DfT cycle safety study

• Road Safety Inquiry from Transport Select Committee – 21st May oral evidence

• New ‘bad driving’ offences / sentencing guidelines

• 2009 Road Safety Strategy

Long-term campaign

• We need to look at all aspects of road danger and traffic law and enforcement

Police Prosecutors

CourtsPublic opinion Parliament

Media coverage