Support Spokes in asking our local councillors to...
MAKE SPACE FOR CYCLING
MAKE SPACE FOR CYCLING
Do East Kent's councillors support the campaign?
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Councillor Will Scobie (KCC, Margate and Cliftonville, Labour Party)
"As a cyclist myself I know the problems that lack of space for cycling causes in the area. I have campaigned since I was elected for more cycle lanes in my ward and I was delighted that some of these were taken forward earlier this year. There is now a dedicated cycle route between Dane Valley Road and St. Peter's Road, and a cyclist crossing has been put along St. Peter's Road. We need to keep up the pressure though and make sure that this is furthered elsewhere. 20mph speed limits is another thing that we need more of here in Thanet. Every residential street and outsides schools should be 20mph." |
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Councillor Martin Whybrow (KCC, Shepway, Green Party)
"I fully support the need for safer cycling and have worked locally to this end. This is in my capacity as a KCC councillor as well as in my role as a committee member on Cycle Shepway. I have championed a road safety pilot here in Hythe, working with KCC's Road Safety team to try to build a much better picture based on residents' reporting of traffic incidents. I have also gained the go-ahead for a 20 mph limit outside one of the local primary schools. And with my KCC Community Members Grant, I have invested in Speed Watch equipment to empower residents to put pressure on drivers to reduce their speeds. With Cycle Shepway, we have sought to improve the visibility of cyclists in the area, through initiatives such as better signage and more dedicated cycle lanes. I am a cyclist, so too the rest of my family, and as with all other cyclists, I want to see much greater consideration for this form of transport on roads in East Kent and beyond. " |
We sent this letter to councillors across East Kent:
Dear (Councillor)
Congratulations on your success in the recent election.
As you may know, Spokes campaigns to promote cycling and to make our roads and streets better for all road users. It has been heartening to see the increased support for cycling from across the political spectrum in recognition of the widespread benefits it offers to individuals and society generally. We support the national Space for Cycling campaign and hope that after reading the enclosed you will too.
The campaign is about creating cycle-friendly roads and streets, which not only make it easier and safer to cycle, but also contribute to healthier and more pleasant communities, where everybody’s quality of life is improved.
How this works in practice will obviously vary from street to street and place to place. However, the campaign has six main themes:
1. Physically-protected space on main roads
People will often need to cycle along main roads for some or all of a journey, to reach workplaces, shops, schools or simply because it is the most direct route. However, mixing with heavy and/or fast moving traffic is at best pretty scary and at worst deadly. Protected space would make the whole road network accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
2. Removing through motor traffic in residential areas
Using simple methods such as bollards, planters or trees, a residential area can be ‘filtered’, so that motor vehicles can still reach all homes but direct access is only available to pedestrians and cyclists. This would reduce rat running and create safer, quieter and more pleasant neighbourhoods and streets
3. Lower speed limits
This one’s simple: 20mph saves lives. In many London boroughs, all residential roads are now 20mph, helping to reduce the risk of injury and death and creating more pleasant places to live and work. It is time this applied to all residential areas in East Kent too.
4. Cycle-friendly town centres
Successful town centres are people places – spaces where people can spend time, shop, socialise and access services. Too many town centres are dominated by cars, making them unpleasant and unable to compete with online and out of town shopping. Let’s work together to create lively, pleasant places that are economically successful, socially vibrant and have space to park your bike.
5. Safe routes to school
Many kids receive cycle training at school - but face significant hurdles when it comes to actually cycling to school. And our national childhood obesity levels are among the highest in Europe. What have we done! Let’s make it safer to cycle to school, so that children’s mental and physical health improves and our neighbourhoods are more attractive.
6. Routes through green spaces
Parks provide great places for many people to cycle and all green spaces should welcome considerate cyclists. Parks are great places for new or inexperienced cyclists to develop their skills and the more people that use parks the safer they are.
We look forward to working with you over the next few years to create space for cycling and to make our communities better places to live, work and visit.
Spokes East Kent
Dear (Councillor)
Congratulations on your success in the recent election.
As you may know, Spokes campaigns to promote cycling and to make our roads and streets better for all road users. It has been heartening to see the increased support for cycling from across the political spectrum in recognition of the widespread benefits it offers to individuals and society generally. We support the national Space for Cycling campaign and hope that after reading the enclosed you will too.
The campaign is about creating cycle-friendly roads and streets, which not only make it easier and safer to cycle, but also contribute to healthier and more pleasant communities, where everybody’s quality of life is improved.
How this works in practice will obviously vary from street to street and place to place. However, the campaign has six main themes:
1. Physically-protected space on main roads
People will often need to cycle along main roads for some or all of a journey, to reach workplaces, shops, schools or simply because it is the most direct route. However, mixing with heavy and/or fast moving traffic is at best pretty scary and at worst deadly. Protected space would make the whole road network accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
2. Removing through motor traffic in residential areas
Using simple methods such as bollards, planters or trees, a residential area can be ‘filtered’, so that motor vehicles can still reach all homes but direct access is only available to pedestrians and cyclists. This would reduce rat running and create safer, quieter and more pleasant neighbourhoods and streets
3. Lower speed limits
This one’s simple: 20mph saves lives. In many London boroughs, all residential roads are now 20mph, helping to reduce the risk of injury and death and creating more pleasant places to live and work. It is time this applied to all residential areas in East Kent too.
4. Cycle-friendly town centres
Successful town centres are people places – spaces where people can spend time, shop, socialise and access services. Too many town centres are dominated by cars, making them unpleasant and unable to compete with online and out of town shopping. Let’s work together to create lively, pleasant places that are economically successful, socially vibrant and have space to park your bike.
5. Safe routes to school
Many kids receive cycle training at school - but face significant hurdles when it comes to actually cycling to school. And our national childhood obesity levels are among the highest in Europe. What have we done! Let’s make it safer to cycle to school, so that children’s mental and physical health improves and our neighbourhoods are more attractive.
6. Routes through green spaces
Parks provide great places for many people to cycle and all green spaces should welcome considerate cyclists. Parks are great places for new or inexperienced cyclists to develop their skills and the more people that use parks the safer they are.
We look forward to working with you over the next few years to create space for cycling and to make our communities better places to live, work and visit.
Spokes East Kent
THE A2 is not safe for cyclists!
SPOKES has a long-running campaign to ensure cyclists are offered safe alternative routes to the A2 route out of Dover.
Find out more about our A2 campaign
Find out more about our A2 campaign
Who are our cycle champions?
THe government's "cycling revolution" is supposed to spearheaded by local council "Cycling and Walking Champions". But who are they? ...and what are they doing?
Find out more about Cycle Champions
Find out more about Cycle Champions
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Campaigns co-ordinator: Adrian Oliver email
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