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The Labour Party Conference, which closes today, has already revealed that the party has appointed its own cycling spokesperson (Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner) but the party has also shown its support for Space for Cycling campaign with a ride along Brighton sea front.
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP and Daniel Zeichner MP joined CTC and Brighton and Hove cycle campaign group Bricycles for a ride in support of Space for Cycling. The campaign aims to create the conditions where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can cycle safely. It is targeted at councillors, seeking their support for improving cycling at a local level.
Lilian Greenwood MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport 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, Campaigns Officer at Bricycles, the Brighton and Hove Cycling Campaign, 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.”
Next week the Space for Cycling campaign has a ride planned to coincide with the Conservative Party Conference (on October 6th).
