The
Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) today announced the final results of
its candidate poll, showing a quarter of candidates in this election
support
increases in provision for cycling.
CAN spokes
person Stephen McKernon says "we have polled 520 candidates by email and
166 or 32% of these are pro-cycling. We adjusted this for all candidates
(about 620) to give a figure of 27%, or a quarter of candidates."
"The
poll shows candidates see cycling is more than just a single or marginal cause.
Cycling stands for better roads, health, lifestyles and communities. These are
also things all voters can value," says McKernon.
"Unfortunately
the poll indicates cycling would suffer under a National-led government, as
party policy does not emphasis sustainable transport, and only a small
proportion of candidates are pro-cycling," comments McKernon.
"Parties showing higher support are Alliance, Green, Labour and
Maori," he says "so it is very possible that any government led by
National (with its potential partners in government) would threaten advances
for cycling."
"It
is not CAN's intention to support one party over another, but the poll clearly
shows where the pro-cycling vote can best be placed."
The poll
results can be found on http://can.org.nz/elections and show
which parties and which candidates in each electorate support cycling.
Ministry
of Transport cyclists data indicates about 750,000 or 26% of voters are
cyclists.
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