Elections

I've had a bike for years, which I use solely for leisure/exercise, although not as frequently now as I used to - due mainly to time constraints and focusing on other forms of exercise (football, gym, swimming). My wife intends to buy an e-bike sometime soon. We both agree that it's a great way to get out and about when we have the time. My son has an expensive off-road bike on which he does long (20 miles plus) exercise/training runs. We are fortunate that the C2C cycle track runs through our ward, giving access to safe cycling. I consider the danger to cyclists on the roads from other vehicular road users to be the biggest barrier to more usage. Better and more commonplace cycle lanes could change this, where space allows.

I agree that it is especially dangerous for younger children to cycle on the roads. The location of schools, in relation to where you live, is a major factor which can't be ignored. I have also seen first hand lots of poor and unsafe behaviour by parents in cars next to schools - speeding and parking carelessly. As well as the physical changes required (cycle lanes and road crossings), changing the mindset of people generally, to encourage safer use of cycles, would be a tall order.

Cycling for leisure and exercise is one thing I am fully in favour of. But the modern world means that many people have to travel long distances to their place of employment. Whether it can be realistically done by bike is dependent on many factors - distance, time, danger etc, but also the facilities available at the place of work - do they have secure spaces for bikes, do they have showers so you can clean up after your journey etc. There's no easy, single solution for any of it.

Absolutely I would, if the plan is feasible and there is funding for it to be implemented. I have to admit I know nothing about this.

I would be in favour of making it a traffic offence to block cycle lanes. Momentary parking for deliveries is acceptable, but longer than that is unnecessary. There's a lot of off-road parking available on Park Road North for householders - but I know that it is sometimes used by visitors to the riverside park, to avoid parking charges. I have stated in my election leaflets that I am in favour of free parking through Chester-le-Street, which would make this unnecessary.