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Cycling advocates call for cyclists to vote 'with their wheels'

Cycling advocacy group Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) today launched a General Election 2008 resource to help candidates and voters who want to support cycling. The aim is to build the numbers of cyclists who vote 'with their wheels'.

CAN spokesperson Stephen McKernon says, "we want parties, candidates and voters to support cycling through this Election. About 750,000 voters, or 26% of voters, are cyclists. This is a huge chunk of the electorate."

McKernon comments "a vote for cycling is also a vote for better transport, health, neighbourhoods and economic growth. It's not a vote for the demands of a fringe group, it's a vote for things that lie at the heart of a better way of life for all. A vote for cycling stands for a lot more than just cycling."

"Cyclists have huge voting power. Parties and candidates need to be aware of this during this Election, as do cyclists. Political action has a long tradition within cycling, so 'voting with one's wheels' is not a new idea. But it is new to many New Zealand candidates and cyclists, and we want to encourage them to support cycling."

The resources can be found on CAN's Election Campaign website (http://can.org.nz/elections). They include information packs countering myths about cycling with facts and figures, and profiles of party and candidate support for cycling. These profiles are being completed as parties and candidates make their policy clear. CAN will also conduct a very brief survey with as many candidates as possible to assess their individual level of support.

"These resources are designed to help candidates communicate their support to cyclists, and to help cyclists assess who they want to vote for" says McKernon. "We hope this resource will be of major use to all this Election."

ENDS

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