2023 ELECTION: Candidates tell Camcycle thoughts on cycling and transport

Camcycle has published its annual election survey featuring candidates’ responses to questions on cycling and transport.

It is the 16th time the charity has hosted the survey to help inform voters’ decisions at the ballot box.

Local elections take place on 4 May for Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council and Peterborough City Council.

There are also by-elections for Cambridgeshire County Council in Arbury and Soham South & Haddenham divisions.

Questions have been compiled by members of Camcycle working with local campaign groups including CTC Cambridge, Ely Cycling Campaign, Peterborough Cycle Forum, and Fenland Parent Power.

Responses to the survey were published on Camcycle’s website on Thursday 20 April and can be viewed at www.camcycle.org.uk/elections.

Vicki Price, community organiser for Fenland Parent Power said: “Access to safe cycle routes would provide vital independence as well as links to education and employment opportunities for young people in Fenland.

“We're grateful to Camcycle for helping raise awareness of some of the barriers to active travel in our district and to election candidates for sharing their views.

“We encourage local residents to raise transport issues with candidates on the doorstep and to use the answers to Camcycle's election survey to inform their vote.

“Fenland parents will continue to campaign for a cycle route from March to Guyhirn."

Camcycle’s Executive Director, Roxanne De Beaux, said: “Camcycle’s election survey is an important part of our calendar: each year we work harder than ever to reach out to election candidates across the region and help them share their views on cycling and transport.

“We know that voters want more safe, affordable and sustainable ways to reach their everyday destinations, and we hope that the responses in our survey will help them elect the decision-makers that will make a difference.”

Camcycle is a non-partisan body and gives all candidates an equal opportunity to submit their views. (It urges all candidates who have not yet taken part to get in touch to receive their unique survey code).

The survey includes a mix of general questions on topics such as road safety, climate change and safe routes to school together with some ward-specific questions, where possible, to measure candidates’ understanding of local active travel concerns.

Responses to the survey were published on Camcycle’s website on Thursday 20 April and can be viewed at www.camcycle.org.uk/elections.

 

FACT FILE

Camcycle, a local charity with nearly 1,700 members, works for more, better, and safer cycling for all ages and abilities in Cambridgeshire. www.camcycle.org.uk
Fenland Parent Power is a group working with local families to break down barriers to education in Fenland.

Transport has been identified as a key barrier to education and opportunities in the district and the group has begun a campaign for a safe cycle route from Guyhirn to help young people access the schools and railway station in March.