In the run-up to this year's London borough elections the Enfield branch of the London Cycling Campaign has set up an online survey to help focus and promote its contribution to the London-wide Space for Cycling campaign. Information supplied by members of the public about local cycle-friendly priorities will be passed on to every candidate in every ward prior to the May elections.
Adrian Lauchlan is Borough Coordinator for the Enfield Cycling Campaign:
"The London Cycling Campaign believes that every Londoner, whatever their age or ability, deserves safe and inviting space for cycling on all London’s streets. This is at the heart of our Space for Cycling Campaign ahead of the London 2014 Local Elections.
"The London local elections in May 2014, will coincide with the mayoralty mid-term point. We want to make sure that cycling features on the agenda of incoming ward councillors and in turn put cycling at the top of the local political agenda at the London council elections. In doing so we will also help create ‘bottom up’ pressure that holds the Mayor to account for his election promises on cycling.
"Operating at ward-level, Space for Cycling campaign will be even bigger and more ambitious than our Love London, Go Dutch campaign in 2012. We have an opportunity to try something no other campaigning organisation has done before, targeting every candidate in every ward across the Central, Inner and Outer London boroughs, asking them to support our pro-cycling policies and measures.
"These measures will be tailored to specific wards, making the campaign truly 'local', while at the same time promoting broader LCC policies, including our key aim of safe space for cycling, for Londoners of all ages and abilities.
"Our target is to ensure that every candidate in every ward is sent messages from LCC members and supporters in their area asking them to agree to the ward level ask we have determined for that area. Please help us by filling in our questionnaire."
Enfield Council has recently looked hard at how to improve provision for cycling when drawing up its bid for the Mayor of London's Mini-Holland Scheme funding. Should the bid be successful, the Enfield Mini-Holland proposals would create a network of cycle routes across the Borough. However, public input to Space for Cycling will provide an unprecedented level of fine local detail about the everyday problems encountered both by regular cyclists and by other people who are put off cycling because of local conditions.
