Cardiff Cycle City, the new grassroots movement seeking to make Cardiff the best cycling city in the UK, today launches its new eight-point Manifesto in Cardiff Bay.

The manifesto calls include the establishment of two new cycle superhighways, 20mph speed limits across the city, where needed, and an annual budget of £15 per person, per year. Cardiff Cycle City is now urging the people of Cardiff, businesses and other groups to support the new Manifesto, by signing up online, sharing it on social media platforms using hashtag #CardiffCycleCity, and ultimately calling on Cardiff County Council and other decision-making bodies to take immediate action.

Gwenda Owen, CTC the national cycling charity, said: “We are delighted that cycling groups and individuals are working together in Cardiff to make the case for investing in cycling. Cardiff is the youngest capital city in Europe, and has the potential to grow up to become the Amsterdam of the UK.”

The Manifesto was developed in discussion with key stakeholders, including Cardiff Cycling Campaign, CTC, Sustrans, Welsh Cycling, Local Transport Projects, cycle tour companies, bike shops and other groups. In addition, over 700 people took part in an online consultation and informed the final manifesto.  Within less than a year, Cardiff Cycle City has won over 1,000 supporters, reflecting public appetite for better cycling facilities and backing for the pioneering Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, which will help transform Wales into a ‘Cycling Nation’. 

Georgina Harper, National Development Manager, Welsh Cycling, said: “There has been a huge groundswell of popularity in cycling in all its guises, and Welsh Cycling already has large clubs and the new Breeze network for women in Cardiff.  We believe this manifesto is a great opportunity to make the Active Travel (Wales) Act a reality and embed a cycling culture.”

Cardiff Cycle City Manifesto

• Connect our cycle network effectively and build two cycle superhighways
• 20mph speed limit across the city, where needed
• A city-centre bike hub and at least 1,000 new bike parking spaces across Cardiff
• Cycle training for all, including our city’s drivers and planners
• Easy and affordable access to bike hire across the city
• A Cycling Commissioner to inspire and lead
• A cycling team within Cardiff Council
• Minimum annual spend of £15 per person on cycling infrastructure, education and promotion

Cardiff is one of the flattest cities in Britain and has more green space per person than any other UK core city. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of people cycling to work in Cardiff increased by 65% and the Council’s current cycling map already plots over 500 miles of recommended cycle routes. In addition, over 77,000 people commute into the city from outside Cardiff – 80% travelling by car – creating massive congestion, which is bad for business.  Meanwhile, while people sit in traffic jams, only 30% of Welsh people get the exercise they need, contributing to the £70m a year that NHS Wales spends in dealing with the costs of obesity.