Amid fevered discussions of Brexit, the NHS and social care, not to mention the suddenly renewed importance of security and tackling terrorism, it might seem a bit niche – almost frivolous – to ask what the party manifestos are saying about cycling.

But I’d argue it’s interesting and worthwhile for a couple of reasons. To begin with, as I’ve endlessly argued on this blog, getting significantly more people on to two wheels can bring enormous benefits to the nation.



A big move from driving to bikes for shorter trips would vastly boost public health, reduce pollution, make the roads safer, make transport more accessible for younger, older and poorer Britons, and many with disabilities.

It would, above all, help make our towns and cities more liveable, based around human beings who are travelling at speeds where they can interact, smile at each other, stop at will to chat, and not pose a potentially lethal danger to others.

The second, connected reason is that looking properly at cycling arguably shows a party being creative about policy solutions.

Take, for example, health and social care. Yes, there is a need for more money and resources, but there’s a good argument that prompting a chronically inactive nation to become more physical could hugely ease the burden on both services in the long term.

I’ve kept it to the main national parties, not least as the SNP’s manifesto was delayed after the Manchester attack and will now not be out till next week.

So here we go – the good, the bad and the entirely absent:





Conservatives: Forward, together – our plan for a stronger Britain and a prosperous future

A disappointment from the party which is odds-on favourite to form the next government.

There is a fair bit about spending more on roads, for example providing extra lanes on motorways, and for a move towards electric and other zero-emission motor vehicles in the coming years.

There is, however, no mention of seeking to reduce motor traffic levels, or even about how to reduce the levels of noxious, diesel-based pollution.

This is the full, entirely uninspiring, paragraph on cycling:

We will continue to support local authorities to expand cycle networks and upgrade facilities for cyclists at railway stations.

Mentions of cycling or cyclists: 2

Marks out of 10: 2





Labour: For the many, not the few

Arguably more of a disappointment still. This was billed as the manifesto through which Labour could reinvent itself, and it contains a number of innovative ideas.

It does contain some warm words on the subject, for example that a Labour government would “encourage and enable people to get out of their cars, for better health and a cleaner environment”.

Much of this is oriented towards public transport, notably rail and buses. This is, of course, laudable and necessary stuff. But it’s only part of the answer.

While there is a photograph of someone on a bike, there seems to have been considerably less focus on the policies. Here they are in full:

We will invite the National Infrastructure Commission to recommend the next stages for developing and upgrading the national cycle network. We reaffirm the commitments in the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

Mentions of cycling or cyclists: 2

Marks out of 10: 4

Liberal Democrats: Change Britain’s future

Short, but fairly sweet. There’s not much on cycling or sustainable transport, but what little there is reads encouragingly.

Apart from calling for high-quality public transport as “essential to building sustainable communities”, the Lib Dem manifesto says of cycling:

Design towns and cities as safe and attractive walking spaces and implement the recommendations of the Get Britain Cycling report.

This report, based on evidence heard by the parliamentary all-party cycling group, was published in 2013 and made a series of recommendations, including an annual spend on cycling of at least £10 per person per year (about £650m), rising to £20 as bike use increases.

Other recommendations were that cyclists’ and pedestrians’ needs be fully considered in all new developments and road schemes, measures to increase road safety, and coherent political leadership on the issue.

I praised the report at the time, and it’s a good basis for a policy.

Mentions of cycling or cyclists: 1

Marks out of 10: 8

Ukip: Britain together

Ukip have a reputation as being not very cycle-friendly – the party’s 2010 manifesto suggested riders should be obliged to walk round roundabouts and pay for parking – and again they do not disappoint.

There is actually no mention of cycling at all, but the Ukip’s lead on transport, MEP Jill Seymour, says she represents “the party that stands up for the beleaguered motorist”, and that “driving is the only viable travel option for many”.

In policy terms this would involve no more road tolls, oppose any levies on polluting diesel cars, and not allow speed cameras to be “revenue raisers”.

In brief: this would involve more cars and trucks on the roads, more pollution, and no attempt to open up cycling beyond the young, fit and gung-ho.

Mentions of cycling or cyclists: 0

Marks out of 10: 0

Greens: Green Guarantee – the Green party for a confident and caring Britain

The main Green manifesto is a relatively slim document, mainly as the party has also put out a series of issue-specific documents.

But even the brief section on transport says that it “should be easy to choose to leave the car at home – or not have one at all”. It adds:

Clean, safe, accessible public transport and more walking and cycling could make us all healthier and happier … Invest in low traffic neighbourhoods and safe, convenient networks of routes for walking and cycling, including safe places for learning to cycle, so people of all ages and those with disabilities can choose to make local trips on foot, by bike or mobility scooter.

A separate commitment on cycling says the party would divert money from road building to spend £2bn “renovating and creating safe cycling and walking routes”. The party says this is intended as an annual spend – working out at just over £30 per person.

Mentions of cycling or cyclists: 3

Marks out of 10: 9