Advocacy

Slide 1

The BA's advocacy programme

Making the industrial case for cycling

Policy makers care deeply about economic contribution and jobs, so at the heart of the BA’s advocacy work is what we call the “industrial case for cycling”. As the industry association, the BA is uniquely placed to make this case.

Evidence of the UK cycle industry’s economic contribution is esesential for our credibility. That’s one of the main reasons we developed the BA Market Data Service to gather superbly accurate and detailed sales data for the UK.

A second pillar of evidence for our “industrial case for cycling” was commissioned by the BA from respected consultancy Transport for the Quality of Life. They delivered a foundational piece of research to quantify the economic contribution of our industry. They showed this to be at least £5.4 billion/year, supporting 64,000 jobs – making cycling bigger than the steel industry – and this was widely picked up by national and specialist media. Download the report here.

The “industrial case”, together with our “trusted advisor” approach (see “Principles” below) have been remarkably successful, and we now have access to and close relationships with both politicians and officials at the highest levels of Government, and especially within the Department for Transport.

A key success came with the publication of Gear Change in July 2020 – in which the Government committed not only to spending £2 bn on cycling (largely for infrastructure) but also to implementing many of the items for which the BA has consistently advocated: a national e-bike incentive scheme, support for cargo bikes, action on cycle theft and more.

July 2020 – download here

Gear Change – a bold vision for cycling and walking

The local industrial case

The Bicycle Association is now developing a toolkit to enable local cycle advocates (both within the industry and beyond) to put a local industrial case for cycling to city or regional decision-makers. More details will follow here shortly.

Our advocacy mission

The BA works to a clear, focused strategy based around three key ‘pillars’:

Securing a strong, united and influential industry
Giving every child the opportunity to cycle
Making cycling an everyday choice.

Every BA activity is driven by one or more these pillars, and to ensure our focus is on activities with member benefit, all activity must also be unique (something the industry can deliver collectively which others advocating for cycling cannot) and measurable. It must also either directly drive members’ businesses and profits, or have long-term strategic value.

Partners

The BA was instrumental in the formation of the Walking and Cycling Alliance, where we co-ordinate advocacy work with British Cycling, Cycling UK, Sustrans, Living Streets and The Ramblers. The BA also works with many more cycling, Governmental and other organisations.

Internationally, the BA is a long-standing member of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and is a founding member of Cycling Industries Europe (CIE). Through CONEBI we are also represented at the World Bicycle Industries Association (WBIA).

Principles

Our aim: to grow cycling
This will get more people on bikes. Everyday cycling trips – for ‘transport’- is the growth segment.

Our representation: the whole UK cycle industry
We speak with one voice. We are a non-profit group, with no commercial interests.

Our target: Westminster and Whitehall
We are not a consumer-facing organisation. We don’t have the large financial resources necessary to promote cycling to the general public.

Our focus: is on issues that only the BA can address.
We have partnerships with other groups – see below – and work closely with them. We don’t try to replicate the work that they do already.

Our issues: the BA can advocate only for issues on which our members all agree.
But we can inform, advise and facilitate discussion on a wide range of topics.

Our stance: the BA makes well-reasoned proposals as advocates
We do not lobby or seek or take funds from government or third parties or any commercial interests.

Our reputation: we aim to be objective, rigorous – that’s why reliable market data is key – and to be a critical and trusted adviser of government.

Working areas and policies

Click any heading to read more about the BA’s advocacy work and policy positions:

COVID-19 – keeping bike shops open

The Bicycle Association played a key role in ensuring that Government swiftly recognised the vital role of cycling, and bike shops, in delivering transport, exercise and well-being under COVID restrictions – so from the very first lockdown, bike shops were permitted to remain open. This led to a huge boom in cycling under lockdown. As this is written it is uncertain whether future lockdowns will be necesssary, but we will continue to stress the need for cycling to be regarded, correctly, as an essential industry.

Gear Change delivery

Perhaps the BA’s most vital advocacy challenge in 2021 will be in holding Government to its commitments in the July 2020 Gear Change policy document (which launched £2bn spending on cycling over three years). Clearly COVID and Brexit will together have a major impact on public finances, and we expect that future settlements will be hard fought.

But for 2021 around £270 million has been awarded already, to include some significant initiatives including a national programme to support e-bike take-up. We are also in close touch with the Bikeability Trust who are tasked with rolling out child cycle training to all schools, and will press hard for this commitment to be implemented in full, and swiftly.

Also coming up in 2021 are key discussions about “Active Travel England”, the body that may ‘enforce’ infrastructure design standards by acting as a funding gatekeeper. We will need to safeguard industry influence, and effective delivery.

Bikeability and cycle training

We were delighted to start 2020 with news of advocacy success: the Government announced that every child in England is to be offered cycle training. This made good their manifesto promise to double funding for Bikeability, ensuring that every child in the UK will have access to cycle training.

The BA met one-on-one with the Minister responsible for cycling as the Conservative election manifesto was
being written. We are confident that the BA’s engagement was critical in achieving this commitment.

Universal access to cycle training is one of our strategic industry priorities, to secure the pipeline of future cyclists.
It’s thanks to the support of BA members, our Leadership Group and all of the retailers who contribute to our
advocacy work that we were able to dedicate the sustained lobbying effort that led to this result.

Cycle theft reduction

Cycle theft is a significant barrier to cycling growth: the industry loses many customers who never return after a theft. Also, it’s a huge issue for retailers who may be targeted by professional thieves.

A cycle parking hardware quality, security and installation standard was published in 2021. This is the result of a project initiated by the BA in 2018 as a result of public and member concerns about the number of cyclists lost to the industry as customers after not replacing stolen bikes. Funding was secured in 2020, and an experienced consultant engaged. The BA has made the standard available fro any interested party to use free of charge, while working for its adoption as an official aid to procurement. The standard is available for download here.

A UK national cycle registration scheme is also under consideration, following detailed proposals developed by the BA and subsequently adopted by a wider coalition aiming to tackle cycle crime, including Police leads. We are optimistic that this will be funded and move to full implementation in 2021. Additionally, the BA is investigating whether there is scope to improve the process of reporting of bikes stolen from bike shops or other measures to address this significant issue for retailers.

For more on these initiatives, see our page on cycle security.

E-bike incentives

The BA considers that there is a very strong case for an national e-bike support or grants programme. Research commissioned by the BA showed that:

– E-bike grants can be twice as effective as e-car grants in reducing carbon dioxide emissions
– Numerous international examples prove the effectivess of such schemes in driving e-bike uptake

Download the research: The Case for a UK Incentive for E-bikes by Carey Newson and Lynn Sloman of Transport for Quality of Life and see our press release from July 2019.

The BA has therefore urged Government to urgently stimulate the e-bike market by:

– Addressing the cost barrier with direct financial incentives: evidence shows that a purchase incentive of as little as £250 would double sales of e-bikes over just 12 months.

– Addressing the awareness barrier by implementing a public awareness campaign and promotions to show Government endorsement and encouragement of e-bikes as a mode of transport.

This call follows a high-impact academic report from the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions, based at the University of Oxford, which revealed that e-bikes, if used to replace car travel, have the capability to cut car carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in England by up to 50% (about 30 million tonnes per year). CREDS also recommends “A major e-bike grant purchase subsidy” as part of their proposal for a “green shovel ready” recovery package.

Overall we are very positive that 2021 will see real progress here.

Cargo bikes

The Bicycle Association supports the swiftest possible uptake of cargo bikes (and electric-assisted cargo bikes) for everyday urban transport of people and goods. Cargo bikes could replace many short distance trips – particularly those currently undertaken by light goods vehicles and the school run, and that there would be significant benefits including traffic, congestion, and pollution reduction.

A report commissioned by the Bicycle Association from Transport for Quality of Life provides evidence that up to 30% of commercial van journeys in urban areas could be substituted by e-cargo bike deliveries.

We welcomed the previous E-cargobike grants programme (and assisted in its implementation by providing technical expertise and industry input) but we consider Government support now needs to be scaled up so that cargo bikes can fulfil their full potential as clean, low-impact transport.

Useful documents:
– May 2021: Fare City report “Sharing the Load” reports on experiences, barriers and opportunities for non-commercial cargo bike use in London

VAT reform

VAT reductions or zero-rating on cycling items, in recognition of their environmental and health benefits, will be easier for the Government to implement post-Brexit. The BA has been working for some time to build this case with Government.

International trade, treaties and trade defence (anti-dumping)

A major part of the BA’s technical work is keeping members informed on matters on international trade, be that matters related to Brexit, new trade agreements, or trade defence measures (anti-dumping).

The BA does not lobby directly on these issues, instead remaining strictly neutral and restricting our role to informing members and advising them how they can lobby for their particular interests. This is because the commercial interests of our member companies differ, and this is often reflected in differing positions on trade matters.

Nonetheless we do often press Government for clarifications or sector-specific guidance, to assist our members to trade as effectively as possible.

Sustainability in the cycle industry

It is important that as we advocate for cycling to Government, stressing its environmental benefits, that the cycle industry itself is at the forefront of efforts to operate sustainable businesses. Many of our members are already well advanced with initiatives to reduce emissions or increase recycling, or to join recognised business self-committment or certification schemes.

See the BA sustainability hub to find out more about the industry’s work in this area, and how the BA is working to support our members.

Digital and connected cycling, e-scooters, new technology

New technologies often present opportunities, but careful regulation may also be necessary. The BA monitors new developments and engages with regulators, technical committees and other stakeholders where new technologies may now, or in the future, become relevant for the cycle industry.

Current issues in this category includes e-scooters (both rental models and privately-owned) and how they are to be regulated, ‘smart’ and connected cycling, new business models enabled by technology (e.g. dockless hire bikes) and more.

Regulatory and technical policy work

As policies and technology changes, regulations often follow suit. The BA ensures that the cycle industry has a seat at the table in all such discussions, at both political and technical levels.

Because even after the UK has left the EU, our cycle industries remain closely interlinked, the BA also monitors developments at EU level which may affect our UK member companies.

For more detail on this work, please see our technical pages.

Our influence

Video from the Minister of State for Transport

The BA’s reach goes right to the top of Government. We were delighted that the Minister of State for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, sent this video message to our BA Members’ Conference in 2020, shortly after announcing a £2 billion committment to active travel:

Advocacy timeline

June 2021

RESULT: £1.48 million funding announced to fund local authority pilots of e-bike incentive schemes ahead of a national scheme.

June 22, 2021

April 1, 2021

April 2021

RESULT: Government announces doubling of Bikeability funding, every child to be offered cycle training. BA had engaged one-on-one with the Minister ahead of this committment being made in the 2020 Conservative election manifesto.

April 1, 2021

December 1, 2020

December 2020

BA liaises with DIT and DfT and informs members on Brexit developements, ADD, 25% USA tariffs. RESULT: BA members receive earliest possible info and analysis as Brexit transition end approaches

BA cycle security proposals to be taken forward by police cycle crime lead RESULT: Voluntary and vendor-neutral approach agreed

BA engages further with DfT and the devolved administrations on potential future e-bike and e-cargo bike incentive schemes, and establishes that these will be worth at least £11m in the next 12 months

December 1, 2020

November 1, 2020

November 2020

Minister and senior officials speak at BA Conference. BA engages with DfT ahead of spending review, with proposals for e-bikes and e-cargo, supported by Market Data Service

November 1, 2020

October 1, 2020

October 2020

BA launches industry sustainability initiative and publishes commissioned research.

October 1, 2020

September 1, 2020

September 2020

BA lobbies to secure cycle shops essential status ahead of possible future lockdowns in England and Wales. RESULT: Assurances received and open status maintained.
Plus: Scotland announces £500m over 5 years for cycling & walking, BA mediates Cycle to Work discussions, work starts on cycle parking standard

September 1, 2020

August 1, 2020

August 2020

BA has been working for over a year on cycle parking and security. RESULT: Funding secured via CRWG for UK cycle parking standard development
BA reacts to correct media mis-reporting of Simon Cowell’s injuries after an e-motorbike incident (not an e-bike) RESULT: highest traffic ever on BA website!

August 1, 2020

July 1, 2020

July 2020

RESULT: Government announces “Gear Change” policy document with £2 billion over four years for infrastructure (with quality standards), e-bike incentive commitments and more
Fix Your Bike voucher scheme releases first batch, BA provides evidence to Commons e-scooter enquiry, BA submits response to DfT’s Future of Transport Regulatory Review

July 1, 2020

June 1, 2020

June 2020

BA Market Data Service goes fully live. DfT straight away requests retailer servicing data to support Fix Your Bike scheme RESULT: BA influence immediately boosted by data availability

June 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

May 2020

RESULT: Government announces £250m emergency active travel fund for pop-up infrastructure

RESULT: Government announces £25m Fix Your Bike repair voucher scheme

May 1, 2020

April 1, 2020

April 2020

Package of proposals: BA developed and proposed to Govt a package of measures to support COVID use of bikes for transport inc. pop-up lanes, e-bike incentives, VAT, repair vouchers

April 1, 2020

March 1, 2020

March 2020

Lockdown: BA immediately lobbied for essential status. RESULT: Government guidance ensures bikes shops can stay open, cycling for exercise encouraged even under strict lockdown. Enabled an extra £0.5 billion boom in cycling this year.

Supporting open shops: BA launched high traffic COVID Hub on website with industry info, plus offered free legal/HR support, developed Open Bike Shops finder with ACT and supported Bikes4KeyWorkers

Pop-up infrastructure: BA lobbied hard with WACA allies to secure Government support.

March 1, 2020

February 1, 2020

February 2020

BA had been in contact with Northern Ireland officials for some years about the status of e- bikes in that territory. RESULT: E-bikes are to made legal in Northen Ireland

E-scooters: BA worked with numerous stakeholders to develop a ‘sensible’ UK specification proposal for e-scooters to ‘play well’ with bikes and e-bike

February 1, 2020

January 1, 2020

January 2020

Bikeability: Direct BA lobbying at Ministerial level had secured an election manifesto commitment to expand the Bikeability scheme
RESULT: DfT announces Bikeability roll-out cycle training to all children worth £80-100m in this Parliament

New Minister: BA secured an early meeting to explain industry priorities after the post-election re-shuffle saw a new Transport Minister come into post

January 1, 2020