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The Bicycle Association of Great Britain has become an official supporter of London Cycling Campaign’s Space for Cycling 2014 local election campaign.
LCC Chief Executive Ashok Sinha said: "Our Space for Cycling campaign aims to convince every candidate in the May 2014 local council elections of the importance of redesigning our streets so they’re safe and inviting for everyone to cycle."
He added: "We’re thrilled that the Bicycle Association of GB, the national body representing the bicycle industry in the UK, has become a supporter of Space for Cycling. Such backing from Britain’s bicycle suppliers adds huge weight to our campaign.”
Phillip Darnton, executive director of the Bicycle Association, said: “To encourage more people to cycle, it is essential that, community by community, we plan a range of schemes which really make cycling feel safer – and give confidence to new cyclists. The biggest deterrents to cycling are the volume, speed and proximity of motor traffic. The London Cycling Campaign has been hugely successful with its ‘Love London Go Dutch’ programme, and we are very pleased to be associated with its successor. We are very confident that it will gather enormous public support.”
He added: “The Bicycle Association represents bicycle businesses throughout Great Britain. Helping to influence London’s politicians and planners to cater more for the capital’s cyclists can have a positive impact in the rest of the country."
Members of the Bicycle Association, in partnership with most of the nation’s independent bicycle retailers, pay into a voluntary levy on all bicycles and bicycle parts and accessories sold in the UK. The Bike Hub levy pays for such things as the Bike Hub cycle satnav smartphone app and national initiatives to get more children cycling.
The Space for Cycling Campaign will provide individuals with the opportunity to express local concerns that not only improve cycle safety in London but help to address the increasing pressure on London’s roads.
The next stage of the campaign is to call on all the candidates in next year’s local elections to support cycle-friendly measures in every neighbourhood across Greater London.
