Huge step forward for cycling as Sadiq Khan backs Sign for Cycling campaign and agrees to triple the cycle superhighways, enable a Mini-Holland in every borough, and take dangerous lorries off our streets

Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party’s candidate for Mayor of London today became the first of the two front runners in the election to give his commitment to the three-point agenda of LCC’s Sign for Cycling Campaign.

In a statement given exclusively to LCC, Khan said that he was “proud” to support the campaign, and if elected would: keep the Cycle Superhighways programme “on course” to deliver a “tripling” of its extent; make sure every borough has a “fair opportunity” to have a Mini-Holland style cycling and walking scheme; and use the powers available to him such that only the “safest lorry types become the norm” on London’s streets.

In response, London Cycling Campaign’s CEO Ashok Sinha said:

“Sadiq Khan’s commitment to the three-point agenda of LCC’s Sign for Cycling Campaign is a huge step forward. Front runners in election races don’t often make such clear, positive, commitments, and we call on Zac Goldsmith to also give his support to Sign for Cycling so that whoever is elected, London is the winner.

Mr Khan’s pledges are just the sort of continuation of momentum from the present Mayor’s historic cycling programme that London needs. The London Cycling Campaign will make sure Mr Khan is held to properly to account for these promises, if elected, as well as assist him in the implementation.

Sadiq Khan joins Caroline Pidgeon (LibDem), Sian Berry (Green) and Sophie Walker (Women’s Equality Party) in giving his commitment to LCC’s three-point Sign for Cycling agenda. His full statement is as follows:

“I’m proud to support LCC’s Sign for Cycling campaign, and will work towards achieving the campaign’s goals as part of my plans to make London a byword for cycling.

In my Manifesto for all Londoners, I set out my intention to continue the Cycle Superhighway programme, with a focus on segregated provision. I will keep us on course to triple the extent of current provision and I’ll look at what’s working best from the existing schemes and make sure we deliver the best, safest road cycling network possible.

I’ll complete the roll out of the current town-centre cycling improvement plans, and begin a new round of schemes. I am committed to ensuring that every London borough that wishes to do so, and can produce a viable, high quality plan, has a fair opportunity to benefit from a Mini-Holland style scheme.

And I will promote safer, cleaner lorries. I will work with the boroughs and using City Hall procurement to set new safety standards, work to make sure City Hall and TfL contracts specify ‘direct-vision’ lorries, and use planning and other powers available to me, so that the safest lorry types become the norm on London’s streets as soon as possible.

Making cycling a safer, and easier choice for Londoners to take is central to my vision of the greener, more modern, more affordable transport network that London needs. I look forward to working with cyclists, and all road users across London, to deliver it.”

Mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan, Zac Goldsmith, Caroline Pidgeon, Sian Berry, Sophie Walker, Peter Whittle (UKIP) and George Galloway (Respect) will debate cycling and other transport issues at a hustings jointly being held by the London Cycling Campaign and The Times on the morning of Friday 29th April.

You can follow the hustings at #AskLondonMayor and #Signforcycling on Friday 29th April between 9-10.30am.

TAKE ACTION

You can tell the remaining Mayoral candidates that you want a city that is greener, healthier and easier to get about by Signing for Cycling.

If you've already signed, please consider making a donation or joining LCC as a member, to help us continue to fight for a cycling city after the Mayoral elections.