Election Cycle 2016 – North Antrim

“However, my two sons are cyclists and regularly travel around Belfast on their bikes. My cousin, at the age of 75, is still a keen cyclist and has ridden in Colombia and Peru. So I am well aware of the problems faced by cyclists here.

“In addition to supporting the Bicycle Strategy, I would also support the development of a radically reformed public transport system throughout NI eg. Translink routes and services in Belfast and in rural areas are not fit for purpose and contribute to the growing structural inequality within NI.”

“In 2014, when I ran for local council in Ballymoney, I stressed the possibility of turning abandon railway lines in the Northern Irish countryside to new safe cycling and walking routes while campaigning on the doorsteps. I am pleased to hear that plans are already underway for Bushmills and Ballycastle and I hope to be able to fight for more across my constituency.”

“Sinn Féin supports the funding for cycling of at least £10 per head of population. This received the unanimous support of our party membership at our Ard Fheis (Annual conference).

“Cycling infrastructure and a safer cycling environment will be key in helping the Executive and the Assembly tackle the future challenges of obesity and diabetes and the pressures they present to our Health budget. We need to invest to save and cycling is something that more people would engage in if they believed it was safe to do so.
I would like to see more legislation being brought forward in the new Assembly to promote cycling including an Active Travel Act.”

1. I agree that we should endeavour to make cycling safer and across Northern Ireland we have seen more cycle lanes appearing.  We should endeavour to create more where possible.  We should encourage more people into cycling through schemes such as that which the Northern Ireland civil service introduced by supplying a loan in order to buy a bike. Belfast city council has also recently introduced Boris bikes.  I agree with these initiatives and would encourage more of the same.
2. I believe cycling has a positive impact on tourism and would like to see the creation of more cycle routes on public land such as forests and public parks in order to boost our tourism and leisure industries.  The recent Giro d’Italia has increased the use of the Ulster Cycle Way which is a welcome boost for local cycling and will hopefully open up this route for tourists.
3. I believe that cycling is best promoted through a public led process. Too often forcing laws on people has the opposite effect than desired, reducing support for the proposed policy.  Northern Ireland’s new Council led community planning laws require extensive public consultation at which stage proposals for cycling and walking provision can be advanced where practicable.

As a rowing coach and cyclist I know all too well the physical and mental health benefits that accrue from cycling and exercise generally, both to the individual and to society.  The promotion of cycling has a vital role to play in combating the high levels of obesity and associated rise in health issues within our society.  If elected I will work to promote cycling initiatives across our society in order to promote both the health and economic benefits within Northern Ireland.