Elections

Cambridge Cycling Campaign is a wonderfully active community group; of which I am a member and proud supporter, as well as a daily cycle user.

Cambridge Cycling Campaign's work has shown that Sheffield bike stands are space-efficient and popular with the City's cyclists. As Castle Ward councillor, I will fight for a reasonable reduction in on-street car parking to allow for more Sheffield bike stands. When the space of one car can accommodate 10 parked cycles, this would be a much more sensible, more economical, and more democratic allocation of parking space. It would be a much better use of public resources.

Cycle parking can accommodate some additional tree-planting in the City, which will improve the image and biodiversity of the City.

Cambridge can be a safer, cleaner and healthier City as a result, and more secure cycle parking will reduce the rate of cycle theft in the City. The City Council must work closely with Cambridge Cycling Campaign and its members, using its comprehensive City-wide research findings as guidance to achieving these goals.

Traffic policing must work in tandem with the provision of cycle routes and safe cycle lanes in and around the City. Cycle routes must be provided, and to ensure that these provisions are not mis-used (either by motor vehicles driving in cycle lanes; or by cylists riding on pavements), a police presence of reasonable proportion is required.

Traffic policing in Cambridge should remain a priority, where possible, for the health and safety of Cambridge citizens. Motor drivers become rightfully annoyed when cyclists swerve to avoid pot-holes in the road. I will push for increased resources to ensure that cycle lanes are smooth, relatively free of pot-holes, and to keep a reasonable traffic police presence in the City to allow cyclists, drivers and pedestrians to share the road safely.

Several Cambridge streets have campaigned for a 20mph limit successfully. Oxford Road near my house in Castle Ward achieved this last year.

I will push for a 20mph speed limit right across the City's residential areas. I am pleased to say that local Green councillors have been successful in achieving this in Norwich.

The City Council's proposed "20mph City" plan does not extend far enough. The 20mph boundary should be extended to include all residential areas of Castle Ward.

I am a passionate cyclist, I cycle everywhere I need to go within Cambridge. I use trains when travelling further, and do not own a car.

The Green Party adhere to a transport hierarchy when local councils plan City infrastructure. Pedestrians and cycles are at the highest priority, followed by public transport, cars, freight and aviation. We believe that investment in transport should be apportioned according to where each mode lies in the hierarchy, within reason.

I support the Green Party's transport hierarchy for social reasons, as a more walkable, cyclable City with limited traffic-noise would promote harmony and reduce stress for all of us.

Greens have and always will support this as part of better, greener communities and a planet that we must look after. Road use must be democratic: and governments have the responsibility to facilitate all kinds of transport in an efficient, safe and pleasant manner.