Jonathan Ives, Cyclox committee member on the Omni-party Politicians’ Bike Ride 

When it comes to the question of how to change the world, speaking softly and carrying a big stick used to be axiomatic. More recently it seems that inheriting vast wealth and cultivating a bizarre hair style has become an acceptable approach on both sides of the Atlantic. Closer to home, local campaigners and activists are more likely to recognise the value of discussion, engagement and debate. Combine these with some timely interventions through the local political process and you are on the way to, if not changing the world, helping make your little bit of it a little bit better.

With this in mind, Cyclox marked the start of Oxford Bike Week by hosting the inaugural Omni-party Politicians’ Bike Ride. Inspired by the Westminster All-party Parliamentary Cycling Group’s annual Westminster ride, this event invited elected members of all political persuasions from across the city and county to join Cyclox members and other cycling enthusiasts to come for a ride and a chat. The aim was to provide an opportunity for an informal rolling debate on the promotion of cycling and the development of cycling infrastructure. Thanks to the enthusiasm and openness of everyone who turned up, these boxes, and plenty more, were successfully ticked.

The ride started with the obligatory walk down Queen Street, soon to be bus-free, and stopped off at various points to discuss what future developments in the infrastructure and streetscape of the city might mean for people who do – or would – choose to use a bike as one of their modes of transport. Could bike-users share Queen Street with pedestrians? How will the new bus turning at the junction of New Road, Worcester Street and Park End Street work for cycling and walking? How well is Frideswide Square working in its new layout? What could be done now to make the proposals for the rail station better in the future?

There is plenty of research, including Cyclox’s own, that illustrates the importance of well-designed and properly funded infrastructure in persuading people back on to their bikes. However, discussions facilitated by events such as the Omni-party Politicians’ Bike Ride illustrate that the decision-making process is not quite as simple as some cycle campaigners and some politicians might have us believe.

Perhaps ‘one revolution at a time’ could be the new axiom for Oxford as a two-wheeled city?