Election Cycle 2016 – East Antrim

“I enjoy cycling myself, and have successfully lobbied for cycle infrastructure improvements in my constituency of East Antrim.”

1. “Investment – Yes. I fully support this level of investment in cycling. Promotion of cycling is good for health and good for the environment.
2. Greenways – Yes. I fully support the development of Greenways. They provide opportunity for safe and enjoyable cycling. They could be a valuable contribution to our tourism industry. I was particularly struck by a recent suggestion to develop a greenway in the glens of Antrim along the old railway.
3. Legislation – Yes. I fully support the introduction of an Active Travel Act. Designing cycle and walking provision into future developments will give the opportunity for cycling to grow across NI.”

“The SDLP believes that there are many positives to be achieved from cycling – both from an economic and health perspective.

“We are very sympathetic to the needs of cyclists and the necessity to create a sustainable transport system for the whole of Northern Ireland. Cycle use cannot significantly develop without the right infrastructure and safety measures in place.

“The SDLP will explore plans for the development of Greenways, as we believe that the redevelopment of our Greenways will help build sustainable tourism such as walking and cycling.

“SDLP Belfast City Councillor Tim Attwood led the campaign that secured almost £700,000 from the Minister of Regional Development to introduce a public cycle hire scheme which will launch on April 27^th 2015. The SDLP believes that Northern Ireland needs a long-term and dedicated strategy to improve cycling provision.

“A successful scheme will reduce the number of road accidents involving bicycles and will increase cycle use across the North. We believe that the growing cycling culture in Northern Ireland must be supported by the department if it is to grow and flourish.”

“I agree that £10 per head is a small price to pay for the safety of cyclists, especially parents with young families who want to encourage their children to cycle as a healthy outdoor activity.

“The development of Greenways in the MEA area is a great opportunity for providing safe areas to cycle by redeveloping old narrow gage railway tracks. This not only would provide areas for locals to cycle but another wonderful tourist attraction to allow visitors to explore the beauty of County Antrim from off the beaten track.

“I fully agree and would be fully supportive of the fact that legislation needs to be put in place in the form of an Active Travel Act to ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking provision when planning new developments.

“Thank you for the great work that Bikefast is doing in the East Antrim area and throughout Northern Ireland.”

1. Investment: Yes. The Green Party pledges in it’s manifesto to support a £25 per head of population investment, in line with the European standard as supported by the European Cyclists Forum
2. Greenways: Yes. The development of the Newtownabbey Way has been a great boost to those communities who are able to access it.
3. Legislation: Yes. We need to see a move away from a car based infrastructure and lifestyle towards healthier and more public options, by encouraging people to live in cycle and walking friendly environments.”

“I honestly think it is a great tourism opportunity and with the right legislation in place, it can work. The opportunity to open up the Glens (one of the most beautiful views in the world) to cyclists sounds amazing.

“I do support funding for cycling, £10 is a small price per head but I would call for big businesses to donate heavily towards this cause too, this will hopefully get money that we are potentially going to lose though the lowering of corporation tax (£300 million) going directly into improving our infrastructure.

“I do support the development of traffic free greenways as this can potentially open up the beautiful views of the Glens to everyone starting from Larne & it is a massive tourism opportunity. The possibility of having something in place where people/tourists can potentially get of the train or boat at Larne, shop & potentially cycle to Carnfunnock or further down the coast is something I’d campaign for. Even the opportunity to cycle to Ballyboley forest is there too; as the A8 caters for cyclists but more needs to be done.

“I am supportive of the fact that legislation needs to be put in place in the form of an Active Travel Act to ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking provision when planning new developments.”

“I congratulate you on the great work to date and hope that all candidates will show their support for this campaign.”