Newcycling's space for cycling journey by Peter Macdonald, presentation given at the Cycling UK Space for Cycling event in Durham on 21 January 2017

1. Peter Macdonald
Space for Cycling
Campaigning

2. Kick Off – April 2014
• Loved the clear message
• National Ride
• 2 weeks to go!
• So we did a ride too
• Little planning and rapid turnaround
• Short loop around City Centre
• Loads of risk!

3. It worked! About 100 participants

4. Where to Next?
2 Key Activities
– Councillor Pledge
– Bigger ride in 4 months
• Inter-connected activities
– providing a target date

5. Plan Plan Plan!

6. Promote
Promote
Promote

7. Where to Start?
At the top!
Nick Forbes
Leader NCC

8. Councillor Pledge…
• Loved the system
– Easy to use
– Graphical
– Feedback system
• Use social media to support
• Keep chasing and persevere
• 68% sign the pledge
• Roger @ CTC – “Newcastle a beacon”

10. The Civic Ride
• Event Management Plan
• Liability Insurance
• Northumbria Police
• Marshalls
• Promotion Campaign
– Social Media
– Media
– Handlebar flyers
– Personal Invites
– General Flyers
– Countdown

15. The S4C Campaign continues…
• Another ride organised
• Local Election
• Maintain focus on Councillors Pledges
• Engage with the Safety Advisory Group

16. Disaster!

17. “The Members of the Safety Advisory Group made the
decision that they were unable to support the event
on live carriageways due to Public Safety. The event
manual did not address the concerns of The Safety
Advisory Group or the risk involved of cycling on live
roads in a large group of riders.”
What are the specific issues to "Public Safety"?
What are the concerns that did not get addressed in
the event manual?
What are the risks involved in cycling on live roads in a
large group of riders?

19. Lessons learnt…
• The Police – essential and helpful
• Unless supportive avoid public bodies
• Keep badgering Councillors
• Plan
• Promote
• Persevere

20. STAY OPTIMISTIC!