Notes of the meeting of the Bradford Cycling Campaign – Tuesday, 19 th January – ‘The Vaults’, Bradford.
Present: seven attendees, including Dave Robison (DR – Chair), James Craig (JC), Liz Hills (LH), and Norah
McWilliam (NM).
1.
Apologies – none.
2.
Notes of the meeting held on 10 th December 2015)
 Posted in Facebook.

Agreed.
3.
West Yorkshire Low Emission Strategy consultation

BCC had submitted a response before the deadline, 11 th December; an acknowledgement had not yet received.

Members were encouraged also to write also to their MPs, urging them to take into consideration, the promotion of cycling as one of a number of means to help clean up the air.
4.
Petition to Council regarding Longside Lane – cycling contraflow needed

A petition was set up by Ben Tongue, travel planner at The Uni: https://www.change.org/p/bradford-council-longside-lane-one-way-system-cyclists-
5. contraflow-needed

Dave Robison and Adam Tasker presented 100 signatures to the Council Chamber/Lord
Mayor etc.!

Successful outcome in that it has been referred to Bradford West Planning for further meeting/hopefully action.
5.
CityConnect and the Leeds-Bradford Cycle Superhighway

DR had attended a meeting involving Leeds and Bradford cycling representatives, various officers, and Ginny Leonard from CityConnect. A considerable amount of negative publicity associated with the Leeds-Bradford Cycle Superhighway, was to be countered with
‘ambassadors’ who would promote the facility in many informal ways.

Important to promote the disability agenda, and children’s cycling.

Upon completion of the superhighway, there could be an opportunity for a celebration, with the Press, including possibly joining up with Leeds cyclists near the District boundary.

DR/JC to facilitate in due course.
Meeting with Kirsten England (Chief Executive, BMDC); and engaging with Councillors

Kirsten England’s office had arranged a meeting with the BCC, for Tuesday, 5 th April 2016 at
9.30am. JC, DR, NM and two others, to attend.

An opportunity (hopefully) to meet with cycling cllrs including cllr Shabir - ‘Cycling
Champion’. Political engagement in Bradford, including “putting names to faces”, felt to be vital, as is working closely with officers and playing an active role on bSpoke.

It was noted that, according to the CTC website, cllrs Hawaran Hussein, Love, Dale Smith,
Wallace, and Warnes, had signed up to the CTC ‘Space for Cycling’ campaign. Agreed to email these councillors, to inform them of BCC and elicit their support. (Cllrs Hussein and
Love had already attended the informal Shipley meeting held in November, discussing the establishment of BCC). JC to email these five cllrs.
6. Forster Square Station Development and connection with the Canal Road Greenway

BMDC had consulted with members of bSpoke about the plans, which seemed positive.
7.
Cafes/ Testimonials

Marketing the campaign could be helped by means of working in close partnership with
Bradford cafes, which would also gain from the positive publicity.

LH to investigate.
8.
Dangerous Driving Campaign

West Yorkshire Police were backing a T&A Campaign to report instances of dangerous driving in Bradford in order to develop knowledge of “hotspots”. BCC, via Facebook, were encouraging participation in this initiative.

It was felt that, in addition to reporting specific instances (including registration numbers), it would be useful to report on specific “dangerous” roads and intersections where cyclists regularly feel intimidated.

JC to liaise with the police to see how BCC can help in this regard.
9.
Queensbury Tunnel/ Bradford-Halifax Link

The Queensbury Tunnel campaign was intended to promote the exciting possibility of linking
Bradford with Halifax via a disused but restored railway tunnel, as part of an ongoing quest to improve and extend the off-road network throughout West Yorkshire. It might therefore be useful to refer to this in the wider context of a campaign to create a new ‘Bradford to
Halifax link’; possibly part of CityConnect 3.

MPs Judith Cummins and Judith Holly Walker-Lynch to meet with local people on 12 th
February, and visit the tunnel at both ends - an excellent opportunity to create publicity and demonstrate what could be achieved. NM to report back.

NM also to hire Black Dyke Mills for a large promotional event involving a local celebrity or well-known cycling figure. NM to elicit help, and report back.

Could also be tied in to the Cycle Queensbury Family Fun Day (15 th May 2016).
10.
Publicity/ Web Presence

DR developing the web presence, with professional artistic help. DR also developing the
‘Cycle Bradford’ brand.

Photographs and media needed – members please send to bradfordcyclingcampaign@gmail.com

A promotional film would be useful at some point.
11.
Bank Account

BCC would require a bank account sometime soon. LH to investigate.
12.
A.O.B

BCC to support the idea of mileage expenses for bikes, from employers – a suggestion made on the FB Group. Ongoing.

Possible campaign rides – suggested affiliation with Bradford Cycle Club (organised by Taras and others ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/256713147785247 )
13.
Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday, 10 th February 2016, 7.00pm. JC investigated the ‘Gumption Centre’ (venue for the regular bSpoke meetings) – since confirmed – but we need to make use of the bar for coffees etc!