Local Elections : 4 Parties 3 Questions on Cycling

Local Elections: 4 Parties 3 Questions

The local elections are almost here. To help inform all you cycling voters out there we thought we would ask the leaders of the
4 main parties how they would support cycling if they happened to get the top seats in the Town House after May 3rd.
You’ll have to make your own judgements about those that haven’t bothered to reply.

To help you you might also want
to seach the 4 main parties websites for “cycling” just use these links:

Conservatives–
Labour –
Lib Dems–
SNP
(some sites have search functions, some do not, in the spirity of impartiality links are for Google searches of the parties sites for the word “cycling”)

If you are reading this before polling day and are a leader from the Scottish Labour Party, it’s not too late just
return your answers to the webmaster and we will put them on here!

ACF	What role should cycling have as part of a local transport strategy for Aberdeen?
Conservative	Cycling will have an integral part to play in any feasible transport strategy for Aberdeen
Lib Dem	Cycling should be a key part of any local transport strategy. Encouraging and facilitating green transport has to be taken seriously for environmental reasons to improve air quality, reduce pollution,carbon emissions etc. Green transport is a more sustainable form of transport and is good for health. Shifting to walking, cycling and public transport would have an important role to play in tackling the problems of congestion and road safety that result from increased levels of vehicular traffic on the roads.
SNP	As there are twin aims of reducing car traffic in Aberdeen and encouraging a fitter population cycling must form a keypart of an integrated transport strategy for Aberdeen.
Labour	No response

ACF	What measures would your Party support to increase cycling levels in the city? (We would be interested to hear your views on ?hard? measures such as cycle lanes, on ?soft? measures such as cycle promotion, and on funding sources).
Conservative	If, as I have said, Cycling is to have an important part to play, cycle lanes, Cycle promotion ? In tandem with its importance in health terms ? have to be promoted with appropriate resource back up.
Lib Dem	More cycle lanes and routes are needed to develop a city-wide cycle path network. More cycle racks and storage should be establised where necessary and appropriate – including in new developments. Action should be taken to identify and solve problems at specific cycling pinchpoints. To keep cycling safe and enjoyable, a major push, possibly with funding assistance from the Scottish Executive, Nestrans etc, would be helpful to improve cycling proficiency and good cycling skills at all levels in schools. Aberdeen Cycle Forum has done a great amount of good work for cycling in the city. As in the past, any measures would be considered after consulting and taking seriously the recommendations of the Cycle Forum.
SNP	In discussion with the relevant groups such as yourselves we should encourage better use of existing cycle lanes and ascertain where morecycle lanes would be most apppropraite but also encourage businesses housing associations, house builders and retail outlets to install cycle racks. It may be possible through encouraging more cycle profiiency in primary schools to encourage “cycle buses” to schools as well as walking buses
Labour	No response

ACF	What would your aim be for cycling in Aberdeen by the end of the coming four year term of office in 2011?
Conservative	To be recognised as a force for good, both in respect of transport and health with usage having expanded accordingly.
Lib Dem	To make cycling more popular and safer and to have developed a city-wide cycling and walking path system around the city. Such a system would help make cycling a more desirable form of travelling in the city.
SNP	To see the SNP aims of having a safer healthier and more sustainable environment where cycling has been a major part implemented and well lodged in our communities
Labour	No response