We could hold balance of pedal power at election, say cyclists

Two wheels good: cyclists vie with cars on the Embankment. London Cycling Campaign wants more safety measures after the death this week of Zoe Sheldrake

Pedal power could help to decide the outcome of the election, campaigners said today, claiming that cycling policy could be the key to winning marginal seats.

"This could really be the cyclist's election, and in marginal seats both locally and nationally we believe our members can really make a difference," said Tom Bogdanowicz of the London Cycling Campaign.

It has produced an eight-point manifesto for cycling in the capital, and is asking all of its 11,000 members to quiz candidates about it. "It's virtually impossible to find an empty bike-parking space in London at the moment, and we believe that if we elect people who get cycling wrong, London will grind to a halt," Mr Bogdanowicz said.

"It's very encouraging that we regularly see the likes of David Cameron and Boris Johnson cycling, as it shows cycling issues affect everyone."

The campaign's demands include free bike training for all London children; returning many one-way streets to two-way use for cycling, and special awareness training for HGV drivers. The calls follow the death on Monday of massage therapist Zoe Sheldrake, 31, from Borehamwood, the seventh cyclist killed in London this year. She was in a collision with a car on the northbound A41 Edgware Way, close to junction 4 of the M1. Her death prompted Mayor Mr Johnson to call on the Government to change driving tests, making motorists pay greater attention to cyclists.

CTC, the national cyclists' organisation, has also launched a "Vote Bike" campaign aimed at raising the profile of cycling in the election.

All of the major parties have pledged to improve cycling conditions. Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, has said he is "determined cycling should be at the heart" of Labour efforts "to put local transport on a more sustainable footing".

Theresa Villiers, shadow transport secretary, said the Tories' goal would be to make cycling "safer and more attractive". And Norman Baker said the Lib-Dems "need to do all we can to make sure cycling is as safe as possible".

But Rob Spedding, editor of Cycling Plus magazine, claims the major parties lack clear cycling policies. "We want a party who will come out and say they'll turn London into the new Amsterdam for riders, for instance, and have the infrastructure plans to back it up."

London manifesto: Cycling campaign's eight demands

1. TRAINING FOR CHILDREN
Provide free on-road cycle training for all schoolchildren, and free or subsidised training for adults.

2. MORE CYCLE PARKING
Deliver sufficient cycle parking for staff and visitors at all council, NHS and school buildings, and make it a requirement in all relevant planning applications.

3. IMPROVED LOCAL ACCESS
Make local cycling journeys easier by returning borough one-way systems and streets to two-way operation.

4. REDUCED LORRY DANGER
Reduce casualties involving lorries through a driver-cyclist awareness programme for all council HGV drivers, and by council membership of the Freight Operators Recognition Scheme.

5. SAFER STREETS
Lessen danger, particularly to children, by setting a 20mph speed limit where people live, work and shop.

6. CYCLING TARGETS
Back an investment plan that will enable the boroughs to surpass the Mayor's target of a 400 per cent increase in cycling by 2026.

7. HEALTHIER STAFF
Encourage council staff to cycle by signing up to the government Cycle To Work Guarantee scheme.

8. LOCAL EVENTS AND PEOPLE-FRIENDLY STREETS
Promote healthy living by running regular cycling events such as car-free Sundays, reducing car dependency and re-allocating road space to cycling and walking.

Party pledges: What they will do

Conservative

* Stop any more building on disused railways still in public ownership so they can be re-opened as cycle paths in future.

* Push the concerns of cyclists up the highway planning agenda by encouraging officials to "think cyclist" when managing roads.

* Reform the Transport Innovation Fund so local councils have cash to develop green schemes, such as cycle routes and corridors.

* Bring in other unspecified road safety measures to get more people to take to their bikes and reduce congestion.

Lib-Dem

* All train and coach operators to accommodate bicycles on all new vehicles and improve cycle storage and parking at stations.

* Promote cycling competency schemes and make sure road traffic law is enforced equally for cyclists and motorists.

* Expand National Cycle Network, particularly off-road routes.

* Safer cycling and walking routes to be included in all local transport plans and new developments.

* Improve road network in recognition of majority of cycle trips being commutes to work or school.

Labour

* Increase cycle training with 500,000 extra children taking part in the Bikeability scheme by 2012.

* Bring in a new urban transport fund with targeted investment to get more people on their bikes.

* Build on the increase in cycle funding from £5 million to £60 million in the last five years.

* An extra £10 million on better bike facilities at railway stations; secure storage and on-site repair shops.

* Introduced Cycle To Work scheme, a tax break allowing employers to lend cycles and safety equipment to employees.

Green

* Cut speed limits in built-up areas to 20mph for safer walking and cycling.

* Divert the road-building budget into public transport, specifically local projects that promote cycling, walking and buses.

* Support tax relief for work-related cycling on a scale no less generous than car allowances.

* All councils, private landlords, rail stations and large employers should provide safe and dry bike parking.

* Promote a stronger local economy to reduce the need to travel long distances for leisure and shopping.

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