News / Bristol Cycling
Call-out for someone to become Bristol’s first bicycle mayor
Bristol already has a city mayor, a lord mayor and a metro mayor, now the hunt is on to find a dedicated bicycle mayor.
Campaigners say the chosen bike champion would be the “human face and voice of cycling advocacy” and play an important role in accelerating progress on infrastructure, identifying and tackling existing barriers and providing a platform for those currently underrepresented.
Bristol Cycling has teamed up with Dutch organisation BYCS to launch the project, which is part of a global scheme already in operation in more than 95 cities and 30 countries.
is needed now More than ever
The role would be a voluntary one and those spearheading the project say it is essential the bicycle mayor is from a group that is less-represented in cycling and someone with the ability to amplify voices and demonstrate the potential to improve health and social inequalities.
“We believe that a bicycle mayor for the city will help raise the profile of cycling as a genuine mode of the transport, especially in underrepresented groups and areas,” says Bristol Cycling’s Tom Swithinbank.
“We often hear that cycling advocacy is dominated by the ‘usual suspects’, we want to change that so that other voices are heard and can demonstrate the benefits cycling could have to their communities.
“Whilst this is a voluntary role and is not intended to replace the clear need for a WECA-funded cycling and walking commissioner (as they have in London, Manchester and Sheffield), we hope that the title and support from the global network of other bicycle mayors through BYCS will help to support an individual in this role.”
The idea is that the bicycle mayor would use their role to highlight how cycling can help address pollution and health crises, strengthen communities, break down social barriers and enable greater access to essential services and economic opportunity.
Bristol Cycling envisages that key activities to be carried out by a bicycle mayor might include:
- Working with community groups to identify barriers to cycling.
- Working with stakeholders in the city to develop plans to remove these barriers.
- Working with local schools and parents’ networks to help them increase cycling rates amongst young people.
- Helping communities to engage in consultation and to co-design processes around Liveable Neighbourhoods.
People with questions about the role are advised to contact connect@BYCS.org.
Main photo by CB Bristol Design 2018
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