Elections

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Question 1 - we asked:

There is a major shortage of cycle parking all around the city. Cycle theft is over 10% of all reported crime in the County. Do you have any suggestions for locations for cycle parking? Would you be willing to see a very small proportion of on-street car parking being replaced by on-street cycle parking in your ward? How will you work towards a situation where every resident and every worker in every ward can keep a bike safe?

We asked this question in these 12 wards: Abbey, Arbury, Castle, Cherry Hinton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, King's Hedges, Market, Newnham, Queen Edith's, Trumpington, West Chesterton.

29 of the 60 candidates (48%) who were asked this question responded as below.

Andrew James BOWER
(Conservative Party)

As a victim, like many, of multiple cycle thefts I do support this concept. I think it is particularly relevant to neighbouring wards, such as Petersfield and Romsey around pubs, shops and terraced houses practically fronting the highway and in the city centre. Kingston Street’s cycle parking is an excellent example, albeit insufficient! I am not sure that there are so many places in Coleridge where the take-up would be high enough (except from cycling canvassers) to justify losing very precious parking spaces but would be interested in any suggestions. Another approach would be to use the odd verge for this purpose – if there were sufficient demand.

I would like to see more rigorous enforcement by city council planners of our minimum cycle parking standards for developments.

I support the work of my Conservative colleague Councillor Chris Howell who managed to get cycle theft made a city-wide police priority in January 2010:

http://cherryhintonroad.blogspot.com/2010/01/action-on-cycle-theft-now-priority.html

http://cherryhintonroad.blogspot.com/search/label/Cycle%20parking

Stephen Richard OLIVER
(Conservative Party)

We need to change the ways that we look at cycle access in all planning and development projects. Cycling is a more prevalent in Cambridge than in many cities and so we should change the criteria by which new developments are assessed to favour better provision of cycle access and parking. Developers need to take more responsibility for providing cycle parking through s106 agreements. We need to address cycle parking at transport interchanges such as the railway station, Park and Ride facilities and the bus station so that, for example, rail and bus network franchisees support more of the direct costs of providing secure cycle parking at these interchanges.

James Michael KENNEDY
(Green Party)

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.

Stephen Roger LAWRENCE
(Green Party)

a) Locations for cycle=parking: Upper deck above current lot on Station Rd by station. Would provide cover to spaces below.
b) on street - support
c) mount a campaign to target all landlords-property managers-tenants for all the rented accomodation.

Sarah PEAKE
(Green Party)

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.

Stephen PEAKE
(Green Party)

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.

Adam POGONOWSKI
(Green Party)

My suggestion would have been to convert on-street car parking spaces into bike spaces in each ward, particularly in the Romsey and Petersfield areas, where one-way, narrow streets are prevalent. The city centre likewise needs more cycle provision - there is still a massive shortage. The station, it goes without saying, is problematic, and there needs to be conversion of car-parking spaces into cycle-parking spaces. As for Abbey Ward, the Green Party has helped secure provision for cycle spaces at Cambridge United, though work will begin post-season. Most residents have gardens and sheds, so on-street parking for bikes is not quite the problem it is in say, Romsey.

Peter Harry POPE
(Green Party)

The most important element of cycle security is a good lock. Employers who already promote cycling to work through bike loans or subsidies should insist on a quality lock as part of the package. More employers should follow suit. Workplace cycle racks should have weather protection and be located in a prominent position for security and to help raise the profile of cycling.

I would like to see a significant proportion of on-street car parking converted for cycles, where there is an identified need.

The city council should offer free cycle security rings to attach to houses, plus a fitting service at modest cost.

Jack Benjamin TOYE
(Green Party)

I would like to see a more proactive City and County Council with regards to cyclists. Lets look at where the most cyclists are in the city, make sure they are amply catered for with safe places to store their bikes, near their locations of work and leisure. And lets also have a council that promotes cycling as a mode of transport in Cambridge to those citizens who at the moment use their car to get to their workplace. As to the on-street parking being replaced by on-street cycle parking, i believe that the revenue generated by the on-street parking is an important in contributing to the council's budget for the city. I would like to see on-street cycle parking being constructed in places that compete with the car, showing up the use of a car in a city like Cambridge as one that cannot ultimately work in a cost-effective and environmental manner, compared to the brilliant bicycle!

Brian WESTCOTT
(Green Party)

Although one car occupies the same space as enough embedded metal fixtures to securely lock ten bikes to, at present car owners are given disproportionate resources compared with cycle owners. I would fight to reverse this, not only on the grounds of social justice, but also because car owners do much more damage by polluting the atmosphere than cycle owners do.

James Christopher YOUD
(Green Party)

The Green Party fully supports the principle of replacing car-parking with secure cycle parking, especially in the city centre and close to colleges and other workplaces.
While it is hard to ensure 100% that bicycles are secure from theft. Secure bike parking that is well lit can go a long way towards this.
The police also need to take bike crime more seriously. Being someone that myself has had several bikes stolen reported them and never seen them again, this should be a priority. I think in particular the police should concentrate on organised bike crime that no doubt also takes place.
Of course at the end of the day. Where you park a bike and with what lock is the most important factor in whether it could potentially be stolen or not. Educating short term visitors and students could stop a laissez-faire approach. As councillor I would like to ensure that the police and council work effectively with each other to stop crime and build safe cycle parking.

Lewis HERBERT
(Labour & Co-operative)

As a Councillor and cyclist I have campaigned for improved secure parking for several years
- raising the appalling problems at the station and in several city, Coleridge and Mill Road locations
- in February 2009, persuading the City Council and through them the police to add cycle theft as a specific citywide policing priority, as reported in the Feb/March 2009 Cycling Campaign newsletter
- pressing key organisations like Hills Road 6th Form College to provide capacity rather than force students off site into insecure locations, and on to sites then preventing others using current provision eg at Cambridge Leisure.

I believe part of the answer is to target expansion at existing secure locations in the city centre, at the station and elsewhere, to create large well recognised sites, and support wider Cycling Campaign site proposals.

There then needs to be a map of secure parking sites where there is capacity, including for visitors, and pressure on the Council re sites need expanding. Major organisations and employers need to provide sites and assist best use of the significant council/Cycle city funding currently available for this.

I support on-street and wider provision in Coleridge and other wards including more wall mounted fittings, and will press for continuing investment until there is adequate provision and the current cycle theft industry is neutralised.

Stuart Edwin NEWBOLD
(Labour & Co-operative)

Dear Jim,

Thanks for the questionnaire:

Local schools such as the Spinney have done excellent work lately to encourage cycling by providing brand new cycle shelters. Discussions around this have reinforced the view that safe parking is an essential ingredient in getting people to switch to cycling. There is talk of a revamp to the Rectory Terrace shopping area on Cherry Hinton High Street and this would be an excellent spot to provide additional cycle parking, both on the High Street and also for residents and visitors in the car park area where currently there are no spaces for cycles.

On a wider front we also need to persuade the City Council to include cycle theft as a citywide policing priority.

Gerri BIRD
(Labour Party)

I believe we should have secure cycle sites in Chesterton and that it should also cover all the wards in the city.
If it can be shown that there is a need for on-street cycle parking, and it will not cause in illegal parking then I would agree to on-street car parking being replaced.
I would work closely with the local residents, PCSO and would want feed back from them at area Committee meetings.

Dan COOPER
(Labour Party)

I will raise the standards of the street surfaces within East Chesterton first so that the public using any form of transport can have an improved quality of journey.

Once this has been completed I would consult the residents and local business for there ideas on cycle parking and safety, since they are the ones using the service.

I would in principle support a reduction in car parking. I would however not want this to result in a rise in illegal car parking due to a lack of parking spaces for vehicles.

I would work to strengthen the bonds of local community, local business and local PCSO within each ward so that residents can work in a co-operative scheme, to jointly raise capital and enthusiasm so cycle theft can be kept at a minimum.

Len FREEMAN
(Labour Party)

Cycle parking - particularly secure parking is a major problem, a key sites like the station and city centre. I would be prepared to support this proposal. Retailers, employers iand colleges in the city should be strongly encouraged to provide attachments wherever possible to walls, (eg even a simple stout ring), to facilitate this.

Kenny LATUNDE-DADA
(Labour Party)

As a regular cyclist, I am aware of the marked shortage of appropriate and safe cycle parking relative to car parking particularly at the major termini around the city at the Railway and coach stations as well as across the city centre.

If elected as councillor, I aim to campaign enthusiastically on this issue in conjunction with other Labour councillors to bring into fruition the development of cycle parks either incorporated within existing car parks or separate cycle parks in secure, accessible and convenient areas.

Specifically to the Trumpington ward, I believe the semi-covered cycle park at Fenner's Lawn should be the model to be adopted in any future proposed cycle scheme across the city.

Paul Francis MCHUGH
(Labour Party)

I strongly support greater provision of secure cycle-parking places. I have no problem, in principle, about replacing on-street car parking spaces with cycle parking where this would work well. I have to say that I can't think of any places in West Chesterton ward where this would be necessary; I think that this is much more a city centre issue and I support (and use myself) the secure and dry cycle parking in the Park Street Car Park. It is absurd that it is easier to find a car parking space at Cambridge station than a space where one can lock one's bike securely.

Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

As someone who cycles for work and leisure, I am fully supportive of increased cycle parking. There is a shortage both in central Cambridge and in the residential areas. Increased provision should be by a combination of on-street and pavement parking.

Pam STACEY
(Labour Party)

I know there is a huge shortage of safe places to leave your bike in the City centre. Perhaps some of the space around Parkers Piece could be considered. There are some racks which could be extended such as those outside Sainsbury's as long as they would not disrupt delivery areas. Cyclists want to have secure sites which are well lit.
Big improvments need to be done at the station.

Rod CANTRILL
(Liberal Democrat)

I recognise that there continues to be a problem regarding the amount of safe cycle parking around the city. I am committed to finding new locations where additional parking can be located. In Newnham, I was instrumental in the additional cycle racks being provided on Lammas Land a year or so ago.

Susannah KERR
(Liberal Democrat)

I agree that a greater amount of cycling parking would be a good thing. In my ward I have not been told that cycle parking in any particular area is a problem, but I would be very open to increasing provision should this be requested, especially close to shops, pubs and other community facilities. As someone who has recently had a bike stolen that was locked to a ‘wheelbender’ stand, I would not support any plans to increase parking of this style.

In principle I am not against a small proportion of on –street car parking being replaced by on-street cycle parking, although again, I have not had any requests to do so from residents in East Chesterton.

Simon Philip Jonathan KIGHTLEY
(Liberal Democrat)

I agree that shortage of secure bike parking across the city is a major concern. New developments address this but there is plenty of scope for remedial action and I would certainly consider taking out the equivalent of single parking spaces in the suburban streets to provide bike securing points. This would be subject to local consultation. Within my ward there are relatively few points where this is high priority however, bearing in mind that the Histon Rd shops now lie outside the ward and are well provided for now. The closest to home for immediate improvement would be Quayside, with more securing points to serve Quayside itself, as well as Magdalene St/Bridge St. The Castle Team would welcome any further suggestions from the public.

Colin Richard ROSENSTIEL
(Liberal Democrat)

I agree that street cycle parking would be useful near community facilities like shops and pubs. In many cases this could be provided with little or no loss of car parking because of the inefficiencies inherent in allocating road space between car parking and other uses, with bits left over which can be used for cycle parking. However, I am more sceptical of what can be achieved to improve street cycle parking for residents as I doubt cycle racks will be close enough to most people’s homes to be attractive to users.

Sheila STUART
(Liberal Democrat)

I feel the shortage of cycle parking in the city is more of an issue in areas such as the Station, and near retail centres. In Newtown, there is a major movement by residents to actually increase on-street carparking, so I believe any move to reduce residents carparking and replace it with cycle parking would be met with significant objection. I would have no objection to pay and display parking bays, of which there are many in Newtown, being replaced by cycle parking bays, should there be a need for them demonstrated in the area(s) in question.

Jean Susan SWANSON
(Liberal Democrat)

Other than at Addenbrookes there are few places in Queen Edith's where bike racks are needed. The shops on Wulfstan Way and the Library are well served. Any reduction in car parking at Addenbrookes would make the streets of Queen Edith's even more difficult to navigate. It is unlikely that anyone cycling to Addenbrookes would use bike racks in the local streets having removed car parking. Although outside Queen Edith's, secure parking at the Railway Station would make many residents lives easier.

Damien TUNNACLIFFE
(Liberal Democrat)

[Transcribed from paper response]

[4th sentence:] Yes

[Last sentence:] Need more time to think about this.

Timothy Derek WARD
(Liberal Democrat)

I have no suggestions to make personally for additional cycle parking in Arbury, as there is adequate provision in the places where I park my bike. I would be happy to take up suggestions from others, who will have different travel patterns and different places they want to park. I am not aware of any demand in Arbury to replace car parking spaces by cycle parking provision (but see also my answer to question 5).

Arbury does have significant quantities of housing that were developed before the current planning standards which require adequate cycle parking to be provided. I support requirements for adequate cycle parking standards when they go through the Environment Committee, which I chair, but I have no magic wand to wave to provided adequate cycle parking for the blocks of flats that were designed before the current rules came into force.

Roman ZNAJEK
(Liberal Democrat)

The worst place for cycle parking in the CIty is of course the Railway Station. More and better cycle parking would be useful near local facilities like pubs and shops. I would much rather see more Sheffield Stands rather than the flimsy and awkward contraptions outside (say) the Tesco in High Street Chesterton. I would be willing to see some reduction in on-street car parking but I think this would only rarely be necessary.

Camcycle is a non-partisan body. All candidates are given an equal opportunity to submit their views. Information published by Camcycle (Cambridge Cycling Campaign), The Bike Depot, 140 Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0DL.