Last night I took part in Access 101; an evening of access discussions and presentations organised by PMBA who are interested in getting more involved in access campaigning and rights of way. I was one of three presentations, lined up in between David Goldie (Lancashire County Council Rights of Way officer) and Colin Palmer of the CTC
I finished my bit with a slide highlighting the three priorities as I see it:
- National representation campaigning at government level
- Local representation – Ride Sheffield and PMBA are a good examples of this.
- A developing code of ethics on where and when to ride coming from the grassroots.
One of the interesting directions the night went was in a discussion of who we have to represent us at national level; IMBA, CTC or British Cycling? I’m a firm believer in CTC being the most suitable for this role given their history of campaigning and perceived respectability in parliamentary circles. So it came as a bit of a shock to learn that the main body currently campaigning on mtb access issues dedicates only one staff day a week to it.
The question for mountainbikers is “Why join CTC?”, which seems reasonable when they outwardly appear to be focussed mainly on road and touring cyclists. But if we don’t tell them what we want, if they don’t realise the demand out there for better access they’re unlikely to put much effort into what is needed.
So if you are already a member why not take a moment to email them and let them know that you’d like them to put more resources into campaigning for Scottish style access in England and Wales.
If you’re not already a member why not take a moment to email them and let them know that you’re likely to join if they put more resources into campaigning for Scottish style access in England and Wales.
Email: cycling@ctc.org.uk
Thoughts?: access@singletrackworld.com
Use code HELLO54 when you join us as a print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year.
The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally £45, now only £22.50 with the code. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally £25, and now £12.50 with the code.
Simply use code HELLO54 at checkout.
(New annually renewing membership only. Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, or when switching memberships)
Comments (10)
Leave Reply
Post Comment
Done.
Good idea. Email sent
Excellent advice Dave. Definitely time for us to be represented.
Good call. Done
Cheeky link to a fiends MSc work. He’s studying what bikers want from a RoW network, what is good and what puts you off.
Survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W99GM29
We need more people to sign the e-petition about “Increased Access for Mountain Bikes”
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/3508
+1 sharpenededge
Emailed them as well
Signed the petition and then passed the link on to everyone in my address book.
Done
There have been about three of those petitions kicking about (i’ve signed them all) started buy various individuals.
This is a clear example of not having a single voice – if there had been one coordinated approach it may have even aquired the requisite number to be debated………
Just saying.