Mid Ulster Election Cycle 2017
When you go to vote on Thursday 2nd March 2017 in Mid Ulster 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?
Keith Buchanan (DUP)
“Happy to pledge my support to encouraging cycling and for further investment in our Greenways.”
Linda Dillon (Sinn Féin)
“Support for nigreenways election cycle.”
Hannah Loughrin (TUV)
No response so far.
Hugh McCloy (Independent)
No response so far.
Patsy McGlone (SDLP)
No response so far.
Ian Milne (Sinn Féin)
“Happy to support.”
Michelle O’Neill (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.”
Sandra Overend (UUP)
“As a keen cyclist and a member of the all-party group on cycling, I remain committed to the delivery of the cycling strategy launched by my Ulster Unionist colleague, Danny Kennedy, during his time as Regional Development Minister.
As Assembly Private Secretary to then Minister Kennedy, I was delighted to engage with the DRD Cycling Unit during the development of the cycling strategy, and I am happy to support your call for investment in cycling.”
Hugh Scullion (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.”
Stefan Taylor (Green)
“I am happy to endorse the commitment to invest £10 per head of population on cycling measures and to support the urban and cycling strategies launched since August 2015.”
Fay Watson (Alliance)
“I’m very happy to endorse these pledges.
“Cycling is a very important environmentally-friendly sport, form of transport and one of the most accessible forms of exercise for children. I believe that everyone should have the ability to cycle safely and for this to happen, a lot more investment needs to happen to extend cycle -paths across Northern Ireland.
“I had the opportunity to live in Belgium where I used my bicycle as my main form of transport for 5 years. I have also spent a lot of time in The Netherlands where cycling is considered the norm as a form of transport. I would love to see this culture in Northern Ireland and think this could be further facilitated through safe cycle lanes, ensuring large employers provide facilities such as secure bike parking and shower facilities etc.”