Streets for Cycling

The local elections are upon us. 

London Cycling Campaign is hoping to get the support of local party leaders to build safe cycle networks in their Boroughs – something that would benefit thousands of Londoners each and every day.  LCC is calling its campaign Streets for Cycling. 

As we all know, here in Redbridge, there’s plenty of opportunity to improve things …

So, what is RCC going to do?

We have just emailed each of the main parties or, if we know who they are, the local leaders of these parties, to ask them to pledge their support for Streets for Cycling. 

Here is the text of the email we are sending

On behalf of Redbridge Cycling Campaign, the local group of the London Cycling Campaign, I am asking you to pledge your party to building a safe cycle network in Redbridge, something that would benefit many thousands of Redbridge residents every day.

A connected cycle network makes cycling safer for everyone, whether that is children cycling to school, families cycling to the park, or people going to their train station, GP or local shops.

Transport for London has identified seven key cycling corridors within our Borough.  Just building a route along the corridor between Ilford and Chadwell Heath would create a commuter route across the Borough towards Stratford and the City, would transport residents to our Elizabeth Line stations and link Ilford to Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath. 

Creating cycle routes along another four of the seven corridors would connect the high streets and town centres of Ilford, Gants Hill, Barkingside, Woodford Bridge and Woodford Green and connect the Aldersbrook area to Wanstead and Leytonstone. 

Routes along the two remaining corridors would provide a commuting route from the northern Borough boundary at Woodford Bridge to the Green Man roundabout in Leytonstone and then on to the City.  

These seven routes, combined with the Borough’s School Streets and expanding number of area wide 20mph zones, would create a wide network of safe cycle routes across a large part of the Borough.  

Irrespective of which party or parties form the next administration, the financial climate will be poor, but the good news here is that … 

Transport for London has funding available, that the London Borough of Redbridge can bid for, to build routes along these corridors.

So we are asking you to pledge to build these routes by 2030:  the project is not too big and the funding is there. 

We think it will be popular but, notwithstanding its popularity, without a switch from cars to cycles, Redbridge is going to grind to a halt.

Here is a link to a map that shows the seven TFL strategic cycling corridors in Redbridge.  The lines are straight because routes have not been built yet.

If you are thinking about pledging your support but have some questions, we would be pleased to meet with you and answer them.  We can also take you on a ride through the Borough to see things on the ground. 

Either way, if you want to take up the offer we are available from now until the 14th of April.

If you are ready to pledge to Streets for Cycling, please send your statement of support to elections@lcc.org.uk, copying me in at Redbridge@lcc.org.uk

During the pre-election period you may receive emails from residents asking you to take the Streets for Cycling pledge.   Please let me know if this is not the best email address to reach your local party leadership, and if so, what alternative you would like residents to use. 

You can see that we are offering to

• meet the local party leaders or their representatives if they are thinking about pledging but have some questions.
• take local party leaders or their representatives on a ride in the Borough to see things in the ground.

We will update our post when leaders make the pledge.  In a couple of weeks time we will chase up any leaders who have not replied. 

You can email leaders yourself.

London Cycling Campaign has made it easy for us all to email local leaders.  Log on to their website and look for this panel.  Your email will be sent to your Borough’s local party leaders. 

We know that there may not be many votes in improving cycling provision and that other issues are likely to dominate the election.  And parties may be reluctant to make commitments for fear of making themselves hostages to fortune.  But, at the same time, it is an opportunity to let those standing for election know that there are many residents who think improving the Borough’s provision for cyclists is important.  And you never know, they might just remember that once in Office.  So, email away!