Belfast West Election Cycle 2017

When you go to vote on Thursday 2nd March 2017 in Belfast West cycling might not be your top priority, but where candidates stand might have a bearing on where you place your preferences. We contacted all of the candidates standing for election to the Northern Ireland Assembly – below you can see if they responded and what they think of our ask:

Will you commit to invest at least £10 per head of population on cycling measures and pledge to support and build upon the urban and rural cycling strategies launched since August 2015?

Alex Attwood (SDLP)

“Happy to support three policy asks.”

Conor Campbell (Workers Party)

“We are delighted to be able to support the three initiatives you propose and agree that their full implementation can make a significant difference to health, the environment and the economy.

“As Workers Party candidates we are fully committed to a safer, healthier environment, a healthier population and to alternative forms of travel and leisure opportunities.

“The ‘Investment, Greenways and Legislation’ strategy will require not just the commitment of individual candidates but inclusion in the next Programme for Government and a public commitment to joined up implementation across a number of Executive departments and a robust and innovative approach to funding and development

“We are happy to give a commitment that we would work towards those ends.”

Gerry Carroll (PBPA)

“I support this investment.”

Michael Collins (PBPA)

“Yes we agree to commit.”

Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance)

“Yes happy to commit to this.”

Órlaithí Flynn (Sinn Féin)

“I can confirm that Sinn Féin supports your 3 key asks as detailed below:

Investment: Sinn Féin supports funding for cycling of at least £10 per head of population, so as to encourage safer cycling conditions and see more people start cycling
Greenways: Sinn Féin supports the Greenways Strategy and the development of traffic-free greenways across the country to boost rural regeneration and tourism.
Legislation: Sinn Féin supports the introduction of an Active Travel Act to incorporate cycling and walking provision into land-use planning and new developments.

“Post-election I look forward to continuing to work with you and your colleagues as we seek to emphasise the health and social benefits of cycling.”

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin)

“I would like to confirm my support for the cycling infrastructure investment you propose in this Election Cycle.”

Fra McCann (Sinn Féin)

“I can confirm that Sinn Féin supports your 3 key asks as detailed below:

Investment: Sinn Féin supports funding for cycling of at least £10 per head of population, so as to encourage safer cycling conditions and see more people start cycling
Greenways: Sinn Féin supports the Greenways Strategy and the development of traffic-free greenways across the country to boost rural regeneration and tourism.
Legislation: Sinn Féin supports the introduction of an Active Travel Act to incorporate cycling and walking provision into land-use planning and new developments.

“Post-election I look forward to continuing to work with you and your colleagues as we seek to emphasise the health and social benefits of cycling.”

Frank McCoubrey (DUP)

No response so far.

Ellen Murray (Green)

“Many thanks for your email! I supported these asks last year in May 2016 and am very pleased to commit to them again.

On investment, the Green Party have made it a manifesto pledge to commit £25 per person per year on cycling spend alone, and also prioritise public transport and pedestrian infrastructure spending, which are important complements and boosters for cycling modal share and safety.

On Greenways, I fully support the Greenways Strategy and am keen to see a network of safe and high-specification Greenways across Northern Ireland which are safe, accessible and easy to use.

On legislation, I would support the introduction of an Active Travel Act to require cycling and pedestrian provision in land-use planning, new developments, road upgrades and adaptation works to existing developments.

As a keen electric bicycle rider myself, I’m well aware of the benefits which come for many areas of society when we enable the bicycle as a transport form, and am fully behind reshaping our towns, cities and countryside routes to boost active travel and cycling regionally.”

Fred Rodgers (UUP)