1. Building A Political Consensus
Space For Cycling
Building A Political Consensus
Derby Cycling Group
January 2016
A presentation to investigate how we can build a political consensus which favours the development of cycle transport in Derby.
Moving from a position where cycle transport in Derby has little or no strategic significance in transport planning - To one where it’s development is a well known, stated policy of the council, supported by all political parties.
Presented by
Tony Roelich
Campaigns Coordinator
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

2. Build political awareness of cycle transport issues
Space for Cycling Aims
Things must be better for cycle transport
The national Space for Cycling campaign aims to create the conditions where anyone can cycle anywhere.
At Derby Cycling Group we want to:
Build political awareness of cycle transport issues
Gain cross party support for the improvement of cycle infrastructure and support services
The hardest part: committing to the concept
Once you accept that, the rest is easy
Mere detail
Starting with DCG’s assertion that…
So today, we are trying to show you why you should commit yourselves to the development of cycle transport in Derby and give your support to our campaign.
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

3. Space for Cycling: So Far Derby Cycling Group’s “Space for Cycling”
campaign has:
Highlighted issues faced by cyclists
Given reasons why more cycling would benefit people and the city
Described how to deliver better cycle transport routes and other facilities
Shown how it has been done elsewhere
(A Guide for Local Decision Makers)
Communicated this to all city councillors
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

4. What’s in it for Councillors?
Cycle infrastructure helps councillors deliver outcomes in their area of responsibility:
Transport: keeping traffic moving
Health: active lives = fitness = better health
Job Creation: attracts business to the city
Inward Investment: Decision makers are often cyclists
Housing, Education, Leisure, Communities, Children…
Delivery of solutions to all departments
Improves transport choices in every ward
But why would you support Space for Cycling?
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

5. What’s in it for Parties?
Leadership & Strategy: local and national (e.g. compared to other places)
Objectives and targets for executives & officers
Leading the Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy 
Great return on investment
Typical benefit to cost ratio (BCR) from 4.7 to 6.1*
Very high because of the wide range of benefits
Legacy - delivery of change for the better
Travel behaviour
Improvements in mental and physical health
Better infrastructure
Less congestion and pollution
Cycle transport provides opportunities to demonstrate leadership and to develop leading edge strategies in the field of transport planning.
Cycle transport planning is in its infancy
Opportunities to be influential
So:
There are many opportunities for you to show how your support for cycling is a benefit to your residents in order to be an influence on voters.
Whether as a ward councillor or from a party political perspective there are many political benefits to be had from supporting cycle transport.
* DfT Report “Value for Money Assessment for Cycling Grants” August 2014
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

6. Where’s the Money? Aspiration, Inspiration, Imagination
Internal Projects:
Protect existing budgets: make Active Travel no.1 priority
Deliver cycle infrastructure with other schemes:
LTP3 “balanced approach”
Resurfacing/top dressing / Signal upgrades
Cycle audits: Missed opportunities every year
External Funding:
LEP (D2N2) – keynote source of future funding
Government funding pots (there’s never been more)
LSTF / Safer Cycling Fund / Cycle City Fund
Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy 2015
Developer contributions: Maximising the benefit
Development Control – cycling related planning conditions
Money is not the issue:
The issue is whether you believe cycle transport should be made better.
It’s down to your aspiration, inspiration and imagination.
Funding is , of course, important
LTP3 Balanced Approach:
Not just cycle-specific projects which deliver cycle infrastructure, but ALL projects
CWIS: Major funding targeted at towns with a quality, supported, aspiration for cycle transport
So:
There are sources of funding, but we must make sure we are submitting quality bids for all external sources and are being efficient in utilising our internal projects to maximise outcomes for cycle transport
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

7. External Funding = Cycle Strategy
External Funding needs a strong Cycle Transport Strategy
Derby doesn’t have one
We need one now
To justify our bids & satisfy their scrutiny
Show how the bid fits Derby’s vision of the future
To Include:
Aspirations for cycle transport & cycle network
A Network Plan
Infrastructure Standards
Transport Strategy enables building the network in pieces
ensuring it fits together
 Derby Cycling Group 2016 7

8. Liberating Cycle Transport
Competing for Business:
Leicester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham:
Cycling Ambitions
Bikes sell a city:
Economic Development
Competitive Advantage
Unique Offering
Velodrome is our competitive advantage:
How can we capitalise on it?
So the end game is to liberate cycle transport in Derby
Use cycle transport to our competitive advantage
Bikes in a city epitomise good quality of life – desirable lifestyle
Suggest:
Use the velodrome at Derby Arena as the flagship around which to build our cycle transport credentials.
From America:
 Derby Cycling Group 2016

9. What is Expected?
Councillors who sign the pledge are already helping build a better environment for cycle transport
You may also like to:
Devise cycle-friendly party policies
Encourage cabinet, executive and officers to develop cycle friendly policies
Publicise and support proposed cycling schemes
Attend the council cycle forum
That is our case...
But what would we expect of you if you supported our Space for Cycling campaign?
 Derby Cycling Group 2016 9

10. Are you prepared to sign our Space for Cycling pledge?
The Pledge
Are you prepared to sign our
Space for Cycling pledge?
“ I support the aims of the Space for Cycling campaign in Derby and will promote them in my ward and throughout the city”
What does supporting Space for Cycling mean?
That you agree with the notion that better cycle infrastructure is needed.
Are you prepared to sign our S4C pledge?
“I support the aims of the Space for Cycling Campaign in Derby and will promote them in my ward and throughout the City Council”
 Derby Cycling Group 2016 10