Cycle Campaigning in Leeds

[vioforla]

There is a rejuvenated cycle campaigning scene in Leeds, so please get involved if you would like to. Our hope is to capitalise on the new status of cycling as a Good Thing, and the Tour de France coming to Leeds next year, and make a real change in Leeds.

We have a new website:
http://www.leedscyclingcampaign.co.uk/

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LeedsCyclingCampaign

And even Twitter:
@LeedsCyclists

Plus a multi-contribution blog:
https://leedscyclepeople.wordpress.com/

There is a first meeting of Leeds Cycling Campaign this Wednesday, 10th April, at 7.30pm at the Adelphi pub, Leeds Bridge. All are welcome, whether you've just discovered Leeds is a bit rubbish for cycling and want to do something about it, or you've been involved in cycle campaigning since the Cookridge Street Contraflow was first mooted (sigh).

This new Leeds Cycling Campaign is being launched by the current Leeds Cycle Action Group, to rejuvenate campaigning activity in Leeds under a more straightforward name, and to capitalise on the current high profile of cycling in the city thanks to next year's Tour de France Grand Depart.

I'm a Johnny-come-lately as far as cycle campaigning goes, and so I'd love to hear from others about what does and doesn't work. If you want to be involved in the Leeds campaign (help write blog posts, measure cycle lanes, respond to consultations, chain yourself to the Town Hall, or whatever), please get in touch. There's a new Leeds Cycle Strategy coming soon from the council, and our own Cycling Vision for Leeds, plus a bid to the Cycle Cities Ambition Fund currently in development, so it's an exciting time!

Thanks and best wishes,
Lizzie

Leeds Cycling Campaign / Leeds Cycling Action Group

[Malaconotus]

In.

[ericonabike]

Snap - Leicester Cycling Campaign Group was formed last year out of a similar sense of frustration. Am admiring your web site, which somewhat shades ours at http://leicesterccg.wordpress.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/leicester.cyclecampaign Twitter @LeicesterCCG

If there exists a networking conference where the various local groups can get together to share ideas and best practice, I'd be glad to hear of it!

[thedarnloop]

I'm going. Leeds desperately needs better cycle facilities - it's one of the worst cities in the UK.
Something must be done, and sounds like this is it!

[vioforla]

Hi Eric, nice to hear from you and good luck with your campaigning!

As well as all the good materials available from ctc, there is an umbrella organisation for cycle campaigns, called Cyclenation, that you might be aware of? They hold events where local campaigners can get together - I went to one of their meetings last October and found it really useful to talk to other campaigns. The next meeting is on 27th April in Birmingham.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cyclenation/

We seem to have had a particular problem balancing the relationship with the local authority: how to still be involved in planning, while being critical where necessary. It probably works if your council is generally proposing good stuff, but when "where necessary" means "always", it's difficult to remain positive and make them want to involve us! I talked to other campaigners at the conference and was relieved to learn they also struggle with this. The more successful campaigns seem to have been more detached and more openly critical of their councils. (I believe thirdcrank on this forum is also of this mind).

best wishes, Lizzie

[John Catt]

Snap - Leicester Cycling Campaign Group was formed last year out of a similar sense of frustration. Am admiring your web site, which somewhat shades ours at http://leicesterccg.wordpress.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/leicester.cyclecampaign Twitter @LeicesterCCG

If there exists a networking conference where the various local groups can get together to share ideas and best practice, I'd be glad to hear of it!

Lizzie has made my point about cyclenation.

You might like to sign up for their their forum (a Google Group) - there is a form for subscribing on their home page -http://www.cyclenation.org.uk/.

Regards,

John
http://www.ldcuc.org.uk

[thirdcrank]

... (I believe thirdcrank on this forum is also of this mind). ...

I've only just noticed this reference to me.

When I first saw the thread, I avoided posting because the last thing anybody having a fresh go at cycle campaigning in Leeds needs is a rehash of my disappointment, nay bitterness towards Leeds City Council. I'll put my hand up to all sorts of mistakes but my excuse is that I was a volunteer - they were being paid.

Good luck to everybody with this.