Elections

In order to support local businesses, people need to be able to park their bikes nearby. For example, more cycle parking is needed on Mitcham’s Corner. I suggest outside the empty greengrocer’s shop on Chesterton Road. New businesses should include secure cycle parking for customers and employees in their building plans. For example, I would encourage the new Co-op on Chesterton Road to provide extensive secure bike parking for a range of bikes including tandems, tricycles and those with trailers. Developers of new buildings should provide secure bike parking that is built for purpose, well lit and possibly monitored by CCTV.

In West Chesterton, some people are choosing to give up or reject car ownership for economic as well as environmental reasons. I am willing to see a very small proportion of on-street car parking being replaced by on-street cycle parking in small residential streets where not all householders own a car and where the flow of traffic would not be impeded.

I would encourage stakeholders (such as local people; building developers; police; community groups (e.g. Cambridge Cycling Campaign); local bike shops; schools (local and language); and government organisations (e.g. County Council’s road safety department)) to liaise closely to encourage a joined-up approach to bike safety.

Cyclists have a responsibility to cycle safely and should abide by the law – for the benefit of all road users. Irresponsible cyclists should expect to be stopped and fined where this is fair and reasonable. However, it is important that the police are realistic about the relative dangers of irresponsible cyclists as opposed to irresponsible motorists. One night on Sidney Street, my wife witnessed the police stopping a cyclist who did not have a front light (but was otherwise riding responsibly), while a car went by at high speed. The policeman continued to lecture the cyclist and did not try to stop the motorist who was posing a significant danger to pedestrians on this very narrow street.

The introduction of a 20mph speed limit for residential streets will bring a number of benefits for the community, including increased safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and reduced fuel and carbon dioxide emissions.

At the moment, Gilbert Road is not safe for cyclists. As a result, the headteacher at Chesterton Community College encourages pupils to avoid cycling on Gilbert Road. Unfortunately, this means that many children then cycle home via Mitcham’s Corner, which is also dangerous for cyclists and needs to be urgently redeveloped. Safety should be at the heart of planning for cycling provision.

I live on Chesterton Road with my wife and three children. We have not had a car since August 2009. We all cycle or walk every day.

As a family, we made a film about cycling in Cambridge, which we would love to share with you all at some stage. We have all done the London-to-Cambridge and Oxford-to-Cambridge bike rides on many occasions in the last ten years.

I have an enduring interest in sustainable transport. Recently, I have decided not to fly because of my concerns about its environmental impact.

I enjoy walking, cycling and running locally and am keen to see that more resources are allocated to these activities, making the community a healthier and safer place for all.