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MK Cycling Symposium builds bold vision

Cycling Citizens MK organised a symposium on ‘changing the shape of cycling in the city’ at Unity Place on 17th October. Supported by MK Community Foundation and chaired by Dame Ann Limb, the symposium attracted over 90 delegates, including local and national business and education leaders, interested to share best practice in cycle promotion.



Delegates heard from journalist Laura Laker, who recently cycled in Milton Keynes for the first time.


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In table group sessions, delegates prioritised the following ambitions:


  • improvements to the redway network

  • developing a cycle first culture for MK

  • securing cycle parking at workplaces, schools, retail and transport hubs,

  • cycling infrastructure integrated into planning

  • most school journeys by cycle


Delegates then heard from Council leaders Lauren Townsend and Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, and Head of Traffic & Transport Murray Woodburn.


Lee Shostak OBE, former MK town planner (1976-80) (main picture above), presented a vision of a city in which most cars, vans, and lorries are powered by electricity; taxis, buses, vans and lorries are self-driving; and more people want to cycle or scoot for daily journeys.


Delegates then heard reactions from a panel including Emily Darlington, MP for MK Central; Grant Gahagan of Active Travel England; Dr Jonathan Flower, Senior Research Fellow at University of West England; and Cllr Marie Bradburn, former Mayor of Milton Keynes.


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In workshop carousels, speakers from businesses, schools and other organisations, gave short presentations on one of three themes:


  • encouraging staff to cycle to work (Santander, Network Rail, The Open University, MK University Hospital)

  • encouraging active travel to school (Two Mile Ash School, Cold Harbour School, Schwalbe Tyres, MK City Council)

  • encouraging women to cycle (Trek Bikes, Voices of Women in MK, Joy Riders, HANDS).


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At the end, leaders of MK’s main political parties each pledged to work together to enable and encourage more people to cycle in the city.


Finally the Co-chairs of Cycling Citizens MK alliance invited delegates to attend a follow-up ‘Summit’ event on 26th June 2026, to ask newly appointed Cabinet members to respond to the issues discussed and a set of asks which the alliance Leadership Group will develop.


In post-event evaluation, delegates rated as follows:

  • 8.8/10 for “How much did you enjoy the event?”

  • 8.9/10 for “How much did the event motivate you to do something to increase cycling in MK?”.


If you would like to assist with our ‘Back to the Future’ research with University of West England, please upload your photos of your Redway likes and hates here.


Meanwhile, please join us for a community fun ride, Cycling Santas, on 13th December – register here.


And do subscribe to our newsletter if you haven’t already.




 
 
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