Campaign for Cycling – OCN

Oxfordshire Cycling Network (OCN) is a network of local cycling organisations and individuals who combine their efforts to improve facilities and increase cycling in the county, coordinated by Cycling UK Oxfordshire.   OCN support the the 180,000 in the county who cycle today and the 480,000+ who would cycle if they felt it was safe, convenient and attractive (Dutch levels).

While we are mostly experienced cyclists, OCN campaigns for cycling facilities suitable for all ages and all abilities.  In Oxfordshire, we estimate that 3% of journeys are made by cycle.  This is above the UK average of 2%, but in Germany it is 14% and in the Netherlands 27%, so there is enormous scope for growth.  With this growth will come benefits for people’s health, for the environment, and for the local economy.

Since 2015 OCN has made progress getting involved in the decision-making processes that shape provision for transport in the county.  We have helped to shape the county’s strategy (LTP4 Active and Healthy Travel Strategy) and the County Council has an Active Travel Programme Board.  As a result of our actions there is a cyclepath (albeit shared) from Bloxham to Banbury, and other schmes have been imroved.

In March 2017, we launched our vision for a Strategic Cycle Network for Oxfordshire.  This received great coverage in the media and support from public and politicians of all parties.  It is now (in 2022) forming the basis of OCC developing a Strategic Active Travel Network.

In April 2017, with our input, the council approved a new and much improved Design Guide for Cycling in Oxfordshire (Annexe 3).  While this was a great advance at the time, we consider that LTN 1/20 has now replaced it.

We ran a campaign ahead of the County Council Election on 4th May 2017 to increase the number of County Councillors who support Space for Cycling.  This was a great success, more than doubling the number of supporting Councillors from 10 to 22.  We worked with Councillors and the Cabinet Member for Environment (including Transport) Yvonne Constance and with the Council’s staff to improve conditions for cycling in the county.

Since then we joined CoHSAT, the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel in Oxfordshire.  With CoHSAT we ran a campaign around the May 2021 County and City/District Council elections.  In this, even more candidates that had declared their support for active travel, with at least 35* of 63 elected Councillors having supported at least 10 of the 12 policies in the CoHSAT ‘Manifesto’.

*35 of the 40 who completed the survey

However, there is much to do.  Schemes are still being developed, both by authorities in the county and by private developers that fall short of the needs of people who want to cycle to work, to school or for other reasons.  If you would like to help, please email OCN, or follow us on Twitter at @OxonCyclingNet.