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With the London Mayor election one month away (on May 3rd), Sustrans and The Times newspaper have teamed up to stage a hustings event, where cyclists can quiz the four main candidates running for Mayor of London.
The hustings event will take place on Monday April 30th, with candidates Boris Johnson, Ken Livingstone, Jenny Jones and Brian Paddick present to debate how they intend to make London a cycling city as part of The Times’s ‘Cities fit for cycling’ campaign.
According to Sustrans and The Times, it will be the only debate which all four candidates will attend focusing solely on cycling ahead of the election. Sustrans supporters and Times readers will be able to apply online for tickets for the free event which will take place from 2pm to 3.30pm in Westminster.
“In cities like Copenhagen cycling is the norm for everyone, from commuters to mums doing the school run," said Sustrans’ England director Carl Pittam. “Cycling in our capital is more popular than ever but more than half of us still find our roads too scary to cycle on.
“Roads that are safe for cycling are also safer for pedestrians, children and drivers – and are more pleasant for all Londoners to enjoy.
“Creating safe streets for cycling and walking must be top of our Mayor’s to-do list.”
James Harding, editor of The Times, added: “Cities must build an infrastructure fit for cyclists. Britain’s cities and streets must change.
“Cycling should be not just a healthy and quick way to get around but also a pleasure. At the moment, those who ride have too much to fear.”
UPDATE: British Cycling are also to be involved in the event, as director of legal and policy affairs Martin Gibbs explains: “There has been good progress in London in the last few years but we still fall short in contrast to great cycling cities like Copenhagen. To match their levels of cycle use we need a Mayor who will put cycling right at the heart of their transport policy. Making cycling an easy, available, safe and normal everyday choice for people will transform this city.”
