http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Great Britain Cycling Team athletes' letter to Theresa May en Sat, 16 May 2026 19:41:40 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806&page=2#post-230267 Fri, 09 Sep 2016 12:13:41 +0000 I were right about that saddle 230267@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ho-hum.</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/09/bradley-wiggins-lizzie-armitstead-no-excuse" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/09/bradley-wiggins-lizzie-armitstead-no-excuse</a></p> <p>I can never understand why people expect road cyclists <em>not</em> to take drugs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806&page=2#post-229929 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 17:08:03 +0000 chdot 229929@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Has TM responded yet?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806&page=2#post-229561 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 09:28:51 +0000 HankChief 229561@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Westminster shadow walking and cycling </p> <p>@danieldzeichner</p> <p><em>Great to hear @BritishCycling call for "a legacy of every-day cycling". Have my full support at Shadow Transport. <a href="https://t.co/LkRwXxdNRD" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/LkRwXxdNRD</a></em></p> <p>I'd wonder if Holyrood opposition parties feel the same... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806&page=2#post-229432 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 09:27:33 +0000 fimm 229432@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>At least they did something. They didn't have to. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229428 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 09:10:23 +0000 chdot 229428@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"chdot's idea/wish/dream that all the cyclists who signed this letter turn down honours as a protest could help change the culture on this."</p> <p>I'm not overly optimistic either, but I presume CB did a bit more than say to a euphoric bunch of young people 'sign here and it'll change the world'. </p> <p>TM "no"</p> <p>Olympic medal winners "ok, just give us our Honours". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229425 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:58:35 +0000 gibbo 229425@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suspect this letter will be quickly forgotten. </p> <p>Proper cycling infrastructure means taking away space from cars. There are more drivers than cyclists, so isn't cycling infrastructure a vote loser?</p> <p>About 25 years ago, I heard someone say politicians are followers, not leaders. Their job is to do what it takes to get re-elected. And that means, in Scotland at least, pandering to drivers.</p> <p>chdot's idea/wish/dream that all the cyclists who signed this letter turn down honours as a protest could help change the culture on this. (And those that have honours, hand them back.)</p> <p>It would be beautiful, but it's not going to happen. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229424 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:52:56 +0000 chdot 229424@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I don't like the over focus on segregated infrastructure. Sounds too like the Scotsman comments bampots arguing that cyclists should not be on 'their' roads</p> <p>...</p> <p>Step one should be to tame the routine daily flouting of the law by drivers."</p> <p>In a rational world it would be better - and cheaper - to get the police to do a bit more enforcement (followed by a lot more enforcement.)</p> <p>A few years ago 'segregated cycle routes' was not much more than something for 'cycling factions' to fall out about. </p> <p>Now due to London Cycle Campaign and PoP (and others) things are changing/happening. </p> <p>Until Governments scale back on big roadbuilding schemes and actually take 'active travel' seriously, a few slightly expensive schemes are what we have. </p> <p>The result WILL be more people cycling and (I presume) therefore more people expecting better. That won't be segregated infrastructure on every street, but if they are on more main roads along with lots of local schemes that will be progress. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229417 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:25:02 +0000 morepathsplease 229417@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I don't like the over focus on segregated infrastructure. Sounds too like the Scotsman comments bampots arguing that cyclists should not be on 'their' roads. Also makes cycling sound like something for the idealised future, not the here and now. Step one should be to tame the routine daily flouting of the law by drivers. That would help everyone, while making cycling much safer and more pleasant."</p> <p>I strongly agree. Very disheartening thinking about what would be required to achieve this. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229416 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:23:07 +0000 chdot 229416@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"It's a good effort. I don't think it will make much difference politically"</p> <p>I suppose it depends whether any or all of the Olympians refuse an honour until TM makes some sort of positive response. </p> <p>Imagine an Honours List with medals for all sports except cycling... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229414 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:19:55 +0000 Charlethepar 229414@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't like the over focus on segregated infrastructure. Sounds too like the Scotsman comments bampots arguing that cyclists should not be on 'their' roads. Also makes cycling sound like something for the idealised future, not the here and now. Step one should be to tame the routine daily flouting of the law by drivers. That would help everyone, while making cycling much safer and more pleasant. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229412 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:05:27 +0000 Arellcat 229412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>empty glitter-ball of fame</em></p> <p>Good point. I wonder what Paris Hilton is up to these days? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229407 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 07:21:40 +0000 gembo 229407@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Maybe Joyce could become SNP spokesperson for cycling?</p> <p>Prof on the radio just there asking for a new clean air act as diesel cars on the roads now as polluting as coal fires in the 1950s </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229393 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 22:08:10 +0000 chdot 229393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>This week, a group of ten UK Olympic cycling medallists, led by the great Chris Boardman, wrote to the Prime Minister with the sensible suggestion that instead of talking vaguely about the inspirational legacy of Britain’s Olympic success, the UK government should actually commit itself to spending 5 per cent of its transport budget on cycling. Yet in a way, this seemed almost like a phenomenon from an earlier age – people actually achieving something, and then using their well-earned fame to campaign for a good cause; while most of our celebrities achieve very little in the first place, and then use their empty glitter-ball of fame only as a self-perpetuating source of income.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/joyce-mcmillan-ed-balls-is-strictly-a-celebrity-politician-now-1-4219173" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/joyce-mcmillan-ed-balls-is-strictly-a-celebrity-politician-now-1-4219173</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229356 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 16:59:50 +0000 I were right about that saddle 229356@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wonder if the Olympians are aware of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/01/lunch-with-theresa-may-thatll-will-be-3150">the price of communicating with the Prime Minister?</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229354 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:46:24 +0000 I were right about that saddle 229354@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm sceptical that this letter will achieve much simply because the person to whom it is addressed is currently dealing with the worst political crisis in our countr(y/ies) since the Suez debacle. I don't think she or anyone with any access to her at all has so much as a second to deal with bicyclism.</p> <p>That said, I'm usually wrong about most things. What objective tests might we set for the letter having been a success? How about 5% of all the transport budgets – revenue and capital – allocated to cycling within an overall 10% of the budgets to active travel by 2018? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229353 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:21:39 +0000 Frenchy 229353@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://road.cc/content/news/176019-arnie-spotted-cycling-wrong-side-road-edinburgh" rel="nofollow">http://road.cc/content/news/176019-arnie-spotted-cycling-wrong-side-road-edinburgh</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229352 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:18:21 +0000 ih 229352@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>" ... could cause a small positive shift in the perception of cyclists and cycling in general."</p> <p>What might cause a positive shift is if we could get some 'celebs' from any background (perhaps not from the cycling world already) to be seen just doing some ordinary stuff in ordinary clothes on a bike. It would increase the coolness of cycling. Not set up as a photo opp, just casually out and about on a bike. Someone would take a photo. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229349 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:02:26 +0000 algo 229349@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@urchaidh - although if you noticed the comments (yes, yes I know) from the EEN, we are simultaneously eco-nutters, law-breaking vandals and now also trendy bible-class teachers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229348 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:58:51 +0000 urchaidh 229348@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a good effort. I don't think it will make much difference politically, but I do wonder if it could cause a small positive shift in the perception of cyclists and cycling in general.</p> <p>There's a perennial problem that any popular discussion on cycling infrastructure can be shut down be pulling out the old cliches of cyclists as a deluded minority of law breaking vandals and eco-nutters. (c.f. recent events in Roseburn Vasey*).</p> <p>*(c) EdinburghCyclingTraining </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229347 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:52:23 +0000 algo 229347@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Enrique Peñalosa - current Mayor - previously Mayor and now re-elected. PoP use one of his quotes in their manifesto. I have attempted to contact him for a message to support PoP several times, but it is hard to get past whoever controls his e-mail/social media... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229346 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:50:10 +0000 ih 229346@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>" - is that somewhat due to having a Mayoral system?"</p> <p>If you look at places where there has been a real step change, they do seem to be associated with <strong>one</strong> passionate person who is in a position of executive power and takes the risk to do something. So we had the mayor of Gröningen back whenever, then in England London and Leicester have made big strides, in New York there was Janet Sadik-Khan, in Bogota there was someone (whose name I always forget) who revolutionised public transport. It does seem that the standard committee type approach to city government doesn't achieve change. I'd love to hear of counter examples and how they did it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229344 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:47:39 +0000 Stickman 229344@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>There are some olympians who have said some things which have actively hindered the image of cycling being an everyday normal activity after all.</em></p> <p>*cough* Bradley Wiggins *cough* </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229342 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:36:37 +0000 algo 229342@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ih - I feel pretty pessimistic at the moment too. The whole Roseburn fiasco has highlighted just how much like the characters from the Yellow Brick Road some politicians are. I think crowriver pretty much nailed it on the other thread with what he said about cycling, the electorate and Nicola Sturgeon. Adam McVey is too terrified to alienate any potential electorate to do anything courageous, and unfortunately I think we all sensed that from him when he came on Monday. </p> <p>Somehow though segregated infrastructure did get built in London - is that somewhat due to having a Mayoral system? I think Chris Boardman is a hero, and he definitely speaks "for us" - I'm not sure though how much one can link the medals to the reality of segregated infrastructure for all. There are some olympians who have said some things which have actively hindered the image of cycling being an everyday normal activity after all. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229337 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:24:05 +0000 ih 229337@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chris Boardman is a fantastic advocate; it was clever to link the athletes success with decent funding and I hope he long continues. Sadly though I don't think Theresa May will even feel the draught as this letter flies past her. Same with Nicola. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229336 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:11:26 +0000 chdot 229336@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Martin Key (@martinkeyBC)<br /> 01/09/2016, 09:57<br /> "cycle lanes not honours" say Olympians in @thetimes </p> <p><a href="http://pic.twitter.com/4c61pn39NC" rel="nofollow">http://pic.twitter.com/4c61pn39NC</a></p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229335 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:11:14 +0000 fimm 229335@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh. I wonder if I inadvertently deleted Callum Skinner while copying the letter from The Guardian...<br /> &lt;checks&gt;<br /> No. The Guardian had deleted him. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229333 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:55:41 +0000 chdot 229333@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>The letter was organised by British Cycling, which as well as being a sporting body also campaigns for better everyday bike provision. It pointed out the disparity between Britain’s vast success in sports cycling and the relatively tiny numbers who use bikes for transport, arguing cycling should be treated as consistently and seriously by government as the roads, rail or aviation.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/01/team-gbs-cycling-heroes-call-for-legacy-of-everyday-cycling" rel="nofollow">http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/01/team-gbs-cycling-heroes-call-for-legacy-of-everyday-cycling</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229329 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:32:27 +0000 wingpig 229329@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>?<br /> Callum Skinner appears in the British Cycling <a href="https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/campaigning/20160901_Theresa_May_letter.pdf">PDF</a>:</p> <p><em>"Yours sincerely,<br /> Chris Boardman, policy adviser, British Cycling and Olympic gold medalist<br /> Sir Chris Hoy, six-time Olympic gold medallist, joint most successful British Olympian<br /> Laura Trott, four-time Olympic gold medallist and Britain’s most successful female Olympian<br /> Jason Kenny, six-time Olympic gold medallist, joint most successful British Olympian<br /> Mark Cavendish, Olympic silver medallist<br /> Joanna Rowsell Shand, double Olympic gold medallist<br /> Callum Skinner, Olympic gold and silver medallist<br /> Elinor Barker, Olympic gold medallist<br /> Owain Doull, Olympic gold medallist<br /> Katie Archibald, Olympic gold medallist<br /> Becky James, double Olympic silver medallist<br /> Katy Marchant, bronze medallist"</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229327 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:21:22 +0000 gembo 229327@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is Callum Skinner writing separately to Nicola Sturgeon? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16806#post-229315 Thu, 01 Sep 2016 12:36:58 +0000 fimm 229315@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm going to post the <a href="https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/campaigning/20160901_Theresa_May_letter.pdf">whole letter</a> here, as I did on the original thread:<br /> - the letter hardly mentions sports cycling, it is all the usual good stuff about transport and health and safely that we (or some of us) on here could spout in our sleep...</p> <p><em>"Dear Prime Minister,</p> <p>The Great Britain cycling team athletes topped the cycling medal table for the third Olympic Games in a row at Rio 2016. It was a truly outstanding performance and enhances Britain’s status as the world’s leading elite cycling nation.</p> <p>You were widely reported in the media as saying that there will be “no limits” on the honours that could be bestowed on our medal winners. But the best way to honour the achievements of our athletes would be a legacy of every-day cycling in this country – a place where cycling is the choice form of transport for people to get around in their daily lives.</p> <p>Your predecessor called for a “cycling revolution” and your government’s manifesto sets out a target to “double” the number of journeys cycled. While some steps have been made, cycling is still a transport mode which does not enjoy the government investment or political leadership given to roads, rail or aviation.</p> <p>The government is now considering feedback on the draft Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS). We urge the government to publish this and set out a timeline to address the chronic underfunding and lack of leadership which is keeping cycling for transport in the slow lane. Only networks of segregated cycle lanes in towns and cities across the country can achieve and influence growth.</p> <p>The success of the CWIS will be felt not only across government but in all areas of the nation’s life.</p> <p>The government’s sports strategy seeks to extend the number of people living physically active lives and could be truly transformative. Active travel – walking and cycling – is the easiest way for people of all ages to fit physical activity into their lives. Currently, only one in five people achieve the recommended levels of physical activity.</p> <p>Around one in three children is overweight or obese. The government’s childhood obesity strategy recognises the value of physical activity and the importance of walking and cycling to school. I am sure you know that this will seem a fanciful idea for most parents without the convenient walking and cycling routes which would give them the confidence that their children will be safe getting to school. Yet we know it can be achieved – in the Netherlands, 50% of education-age children cycle to school.</p> <p>As cities like Copenhagen and New York have shown, cycling also creates better places to live and work. More cycling cuts congestion, reduces noise pollution and fuels local economies. Small businesses in New York have seen a 49% increase in business where cycle lanes have been installed.</p> <p>There is huge latent demand for cycling. Two thirds of people would cycle more if they felt safer on the roads. The government’s road safety statement reiterates the manifesto commitment to reduce the number of cyclists killed or injured. The CWIS needs to set targets to improve road maintenance, enhance enforcement of the laws, and update the rules of the road to better consider the needs of cyclists.</p> <p>To make this happen, we need 5% of the government’s transport spend allocated to cycling. This is the only way that cycling will be integrated into transport strategy and given the priority it deserves.</p> <p>Investment in cycling as a form of transport isn’t purely an investment in cycle lanes. It is an investment that will pay off for the nation’s health, wealth, transport infrastructure and the vibrancy of our towns and cities. It has the added benefit of just making it easier for ordinary families to get to work and get to school.</p> <p>Our athletes have inspired the country and now we urge the government to take cycling seriously as a transport option for everyone.</p> <p>British Cycling’s policy adviser Chris Boardman would welcome a meeting to discuss this further. We look forward to hearing from you.</p> <p>Yours sincerely,</p> <p>Chris Boardman, policy adviser, British Cycling and Olympic gold medalist<br /> Sir Chris Hoy, six-time Olympic gold medallist, joint most successful British Olympian<br /> Laura Trott, four-time Olympic gold medallist and Britain’s most successful female Olympian<br /> Jason Kenny, six-time Olympic gold medallist, joint most successful British Olympian<br /> Mark Cavendish, Olympic silver medallist<br /> Joanna Rowsell Shand, double Olympic gold medallist<br /> Elinor Barker, Olympic gold medallist<br /> Owain Doull, Olympic gold medallist<br /> Becky James, double Olympic silver medallist<br /> Katy Marchant, bronze medallist"</em> </p>