Our conference theme is "Streets Ahead". And that is exactly where we want to put cycling as a transport alternative in our urban environments.

The Oxford English Dictionary notes :-

Street n. town or village road that has  (mainly) contiguous houses on one side or both.

Ahead adv. 1.farther forward in space or time. 2. in the line of one's forward motion.

We can combine these in many ways to indicate significant areas for cycle campaigning discussion.

Streets Ahead can be a warning when entering an urban area that we will encounter a far greater number of cyclists and pedestrians using the roads as a convenient and economic way to get around their community. Because the travel distances in urban areas are shorter then many will be children and the less mobile.

• How should drivers adjust their actions to cope with the environment they are entering. Also how much should be down to individual driver interpretation and how much should be legally enforced through lower speed limits and other controls?
• How also should the urban planner change the environment to better protect cyclists and pedestrians from vehicles?

Streets Ahead can also refer to how streets should change in the future. How should cycle campaigners aim to influence society in changing the way that people use streets for the better good of all citizens.

• How can those streets be changed from having been designed almost exclusively for the car and maximising vehicle throughput?
• How can cycle campaigners tap into the increasingly obvious fact that both global warming and oil prices will inevitably require all communities to completely review the transport options away from private vehicles and towards public transport, walking and cycling?
• How can they once more be a place for people to enjoy their streets as a place to take in fresh air, interact with other and use for healthy movement by foot or pedal?
• How can we best use our time and efforts as campaigners? Do we concentrate on Highway Engineering or concentrate lack of understanding in the public, councillors and others of cycling and pedestrian issues?

Streets Ahead can also be a comparative term. Some local authorities are streets ahead of others in providing for cyclists. Some continental towns with similar background to British ones have made enormous strides in developing the ability for their citizens to select cycling as a healthy and economic travel option for adults and children.

• How can we find out about other towns successes?
• Can we import them into our environment or are their certain base ingredients, such as lower speeds, which are critical to their success.
• And how can we learn from other cycle campaigners about what is working and what is not?
• How can we look at our own work to see whether this meets "best standards" as well?

We also are aiming to make this conference Streets Ahead and have several new initiatives to make the conference better. We have gained the support of a major sponsor in Urban Engineering who are leading suppliers of cycle stands and storage to organisations in the UK. We have also developed this web site to maximise the awareness of the conference and enable all potential and registered delegates to be as well informed as possible. We want to make it enjoyable, informative and illuminating for all attendees. If you think of a way that we can make it better for you, then please tell us.

• How can we make the conference better for you?
  Please e-mail us to conference@warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk

If you have a paper or topic that you would like to present to conference then please go to our presenters page and let us know.

Many thanks to Urban Engineering for their generous support to the conference. Urban Engineering produce excellent cycle storage and shelters as well as other street furniture. They work with Sustrans on improving cycle storage in schools and will be exhibiting at "Streets Ahead". Please take a look at their website to view their product range and details of grant assistance for cycle facilities for schools.

Warrington Cycle Campaign has over 200 members and is committed to making better use of the roads for all sectors of the community. Our main objectives are:- A safer environment by the adoption of a 20mph speed limit in all urban areas On-road cycle training for all children Developing the "Safe Routes to School" program Better account taken for the needs of cyclists at road junctions and roundabouts Responsible cycling - using lights at night and respecting pedestrians Take a look at their website to view topical issues, etc

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