The National Councillors are elected by CTC members and represent all areas of the UK. To contact your national councillor see the National Councillors List.
Below are the election addresses of many of the current councillors. Scroll down for officers, followed by members oc Council and then CTC members co-opted to Council in alphabetical order.
Officers of Council
David Robinson (North West), Chair of Council
Three years ago you elected me as CTC councillor for the North West of England. It has been a steep learning curve ! CTC is an exciting and quite complex organisation drawing its authority from its long history and position as the country’s leading cycle organisation. At the end of my first year in office, my fellow councillors had the confidence to elect me as their chair and I have remained in that honoured position.
My style has been to promote CTC as a truly national organisation. I have seen CTC staff numbers rise with the support of lottery and government funding from about 25 to, with the advent of bike club, over 70. CTC staff are now deployed throughout the country.
By September five CTC staff will be based in the North West. I am of the firm belief that CTC has benefited from spreading out from Guildford and in time I would like to see a northern office based in our region.
I have now established a pattern of national council meeting venues with two being held in Manchester and two in London. Members are welcome to attend these meetings as observers.
In the North West, together with fellow councillors, I have communicated with members with newsletters and attended AGMs around the region.
I have done my bit of public speaking, responding to ministerial speeches at two CTC AGMs in Belfast and Chester. The latter was particularly an honour as it coincided with the 70th anniversary of Chester and North Wales CTC. I have also supported the last two Birthday Rides in my capacity as chair and spoken at the European Cycle Federation at the Velo City conference in Brussels.
I stood for council because I am passionate about the promotion of cycling as a sustainable mode of transport. I believe that my experience as an effective elected representative in local, county and regional government has helped my contribution to CTC. I cycle daily, for work purposes, shopping and leisure, but enjoy cycle touring and in the last few years have successfully completed the End to End and the French equivalent from Sete to St Malo.
My background in cycling is as a local activist who, over 25 years, has campaigned to promote the position of cyclists in an integrated transport system. To make the maximum impact I believe that we need to give full support to local member groups, affiliated groups and our team of Right to Ride reps – they are CTC’s eyes and ears at a local level.
We should be ensuring that the environmental and health benefits of cycling top the agenda and that as a strong representative cycling group we are at the heart of national and local policies that encourage cycling.
I have the time and enthusiasm to play my part in promoting this agenda. With your support I would like to build on my three years experience as a CTC councillor and make an effective contribution for another three years.
David Cox (West Midlands) - Vice Chair of Council
Today we have a once in my lifetime opportunity to re-establish cycling as a major feature of British life.
Issues around climate, environment, health, transport, sport and social inclusion have come together to make cycling centre stage. I want to use my experience in policy implementation and governance, together with my enthusiasm for cycling to support the CTC’s key role in this transformation.
Relevant experience
I am currently Chair of South Birmingham PCT. This is a part-time non-executive appointment leading a successful Board responsible for spending a substantial budget on the health care of 383,000 people. This experience, gives me skills in supporting and challenging the work of the executive team, decision making, public relations, influencing ministers and senior civil servants and working in partnership with other organisations.
I have a responsibility to encourage exercise, fitness and the physical and mental health benefits of cycling. I am a member of a Health and Well-Being Partnership with the City Council whose policies include a new Cycling Strategy for Birmingham. I would like to see the benefits of cycling opened up to far more people from school children to adults and elders in all parts of our diverse society.
Previously, I worked at a senior level in a university. Teamwork has always been a key part of my working life and I have contributed to many committees and groups locally and nationally concerned with higher education, professions, health care, equalities and employment and skills.
Commitment to Cycling
Although a member of the CTC for 32 years, my club cycling has been with the Beacon RCC in South Birmingham. I am a regular rider and leader on Sunday “B” runs and can now join my fellow retirees, male and female, on weekday runs. I am the Welfare Officer for the club’s Go-Ride scheme. I continue to cycle to and for work, including train/ Brompton visits to London. Apart from doing the End to End and Side to Side on a tandem, my touring consists of exploratory rides during family holidays and local Audax events.
CTC Council
The Council can best represent members’ interests by being at the forefront of the transformation of cycling in this country. Persistent and skilful lobbying is crucial because other players are very well organised and funded. The Council has a fundamental duty of ensuring good governance of the CTC’s funds and reputation. The Club’s excellent services and its cultural heritage are precious but we need to be open to attract new members with a range of cycling interests and diverse backgrounds.
We must expand opportunities for new cyclists by campaigning for rigorous enforcements of traffic laws, including those that apply to cyclists, civility on the roads and respect for pedestrians. There are great opportunities in the current Cycling Demonstration Towns projects, Safe Routes to Schools and Sustrans’ lottery fund success. Good membership services and clever committed advocacy will keep the CTC in the forefront of this transformation.
Councillors in alpahabetical order
Richard Bates (South East)
Prompted by a trip to Scandinavia, including cycling and appointment to CTC National Council.
A life long cyclist mainly for school and work use but more recently, cycle fitness and event participation, including passion to follow Tour de France since 1994. This year discovered the best ever cycle path in Macon.
Due to my elected District Council status I have endeavoured to promote better cycling facilities and routes and I am well known as the 'Cycling Councillor'. I have campaigned for more flexible cycle commuting on trains and a cycle train for use with such events as the London / Brighton Bike Ride.
I belong to many cycling groups and West Sussex Cycle Forum. Developing cycling links via a Mid Sussex Cycling Group.
I organised a Town Twinning Association tour to Bavaria - perfect cycling country and now planning a tour of the Mozart Trial in 2007 which is in the same area.
Involved with initiating 1st Mid Sussex Cycle Ride September 2006 and setting up Cycle Forum at a Party Conference.
As a long time resident of Brighton I am interested to follow a Cycle Lead Town Development and visited Odense [cycle capital], Denmark as a result of presentation given in Hove 2006 - cycled through the town during morning rush hour where they have a counter. I noted 7000 cyclists had passed through in one day.
Following on from Odense, travelled to Gotland, a traffic calm island but still had cycle paths in a High Street of a small township.
In contrast, Stockholm has congestion but plenty of cycling on a combination of marked routes and lanes involving shared routes with vehicles and pedestrians. I was really gutted that I could not use my bike there.
I discovered dedicated cycle paths in quiet central Sweden, macadam surface and this included a bridge over a river specifically for cyclists instead of having to use the road bridge nearby.
Even in Norway, small isolated communities had cycle paths running separately alongside the roads.
Now promoting the idea that cycle audits are carried out by cyclists in their areas and also to get across the Amy Gillett Foundation message for cyclists and motorists to co-exist, especially on our crowded island!
I would like to see circular cycle networks around conurbations linked to other places.
Welna Bowden (North West)
I am a working, married mother with a thirteen year old daughter living in a village outside Chester. I am
passionate about cycling and have been cycling all my life.
I will bring different perspectives to future CTC decisions and will broaden representation. Living in a village also brings its own outlook on the needs of cyclists, which often is focused within city boundaries.
I work from home for the Improvement and Development Agency and support local authorities to improve local services by leading projects of various sizes including driving innovation within local government. I work closely with other government departments and partners. My office is in London, which I visit twice weekly. I have various degrees including an MSc in Human Resource Management and an Advanced Diploma in Labour Law. I was a student representative during 2007/08 and 2008/09 at the Open University Senate, OU Business School and Student Disciplinary hearings, including appeals.
My cycling vision...
Is undoubtedly creating a safe cycling environment for all where cycling becomes a lifestyle of choice (not just for recreation and fitness), like our Holland neighbours. That includes safe cycle parking at shops and stations, dedicated cycling lanes in towns and along busy roads to enable you to cycle safely from one town/village to the next. I want (cycling) barriers broken and see more cyclists on the road than cars!
Excellent work is done by the CTC Cycling Champions who do development of cycling amongst youngsters and others within our communities to encourage them to take up cycling as part of a healthier lifestyle, but I think more work can be done to increase sustainability after the introductory and training phases. Often the youngsters that participate in CTC activities (bike rides and events) do so as their parents are members of their local CTC. I would like to see more CTC student membership in local schools, colleges and universities. After all, the youth of today is the CTC’s future membership and the sooner we can introduce them to the continuous joys of cycling and participation in our cycling events, with the added advantages of health and socialisation, the better!
Cycling exploits
I actively support my local CTC (Chester and North Wales) branch and recently completed a week long cycling holiday in Holland leading my family cycling a 235 mile route. Holland increased my awareness to what we need in the UK to enable safe and passionate cycling including making cycling part of a ‘cool’ lifestyle. I also completed several long distance charity rides raising funds not just only for my Village Trust (I am a trustee) by doing the C2C last year in June, but also for the British Heart Foundation and Christie’s Cancer Hospital (Manchester). I plan to do LEJOG in June 2010. I have the time and dedication to fully support the Council including CTC activities and I am confident that with my background, skills and experience, I would be able to make a difference on behalf of all cyclists.
Peter Brake (Wales)
I have been asked to put myself forward as a candidate for South and Mid-Wales on several occasions but have felt that the distance between Pembroke and Guildford was too far. However, because of the following, I have changed my mind.
1 It is my opinion that the membership in South Wales has not been fully represented and has not been kept informed of events taking place at headquarters.
2 I believe that past management has not encouraged enough dialogue with the membership. A loaded questionnaire seems to suffice for a five year period, anything outside that is taboo.
3 I am of the opinion that the CTC magazine could and should be used to keep the membership fully informed of Council and Committee decisions. I think the way in which the decision was made to re-locate headquarters in Guildford, one of the most expensive areas in the UK and very difficult to reach, was a disgrace. It was obviously a fait accompli before the membership was consulted. I will endeavour to reverse this decision and sell the present headquarters and re-locate to a locality in the centre of the country.
4 One of my passions was the free adverts. This was a disgrace when the Council decided to discontinue this useful service to the membership. I will endeavour to get it reinstated, or let the membership know why I can’t!
5 I want to establish once and for all that the winged wheel is the one and only official emblem of the CTC. That ‘drunken man’ logo must never be used again.
6 To ensure that the CTC continues to be the premier club for cycle tourists, a club which caters for all ages and types of cyclists who enjoy the countryside. Off road cyclists should join the excellent Rough Stuff Fellowship. Finally, I want to ensure that the Birthday Rides are reinstated as the annual rally of the CTC. I am convinced that the Birthday Rides could and should be organised from headquarters with input from the local DA or clubs.
As for my cycling history – it seems I have been cycling all my life, have toured in the UK and in Europe, have made hundreds of friends in the CTC.
I have many people to thank for wonderful memories; two outstanding tour leaders have been Eric Neal and Bert Pearce, two ‘real’ touring cyclists the club can be proud of.
Jim Brown (Eastern)
I have represented the East of England since 2001. I have lived and been active in the area throughout that time. I am an active “Right to Ride” representative, secretary of my local CTC group, have launched the “Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials” and currently organise popular events such as “Emitremmus” and the Circular Cycle. I am a member of the CTC’s Management Committee and one of the four trustees of the new CTC Charitable Trust.
I enjoy cycling. The Wednesday evening rides from Stevenage have been very popular this summer. I make no apology for that enthusiasm and wanting to encourage others to get involved throughout the region.
The CTC’s role as a “Cycle Transport Campaign” is vital. We are a representative organisation – cyclists working for cyclists. Getting direct representation on Cycling England was a significant breakthrough for CTC.
This is an exciting time to be involved in CTC Council. After many years we have taken the plunge and will be moving into a fit for purpose headquarters building next year. I was delighted to sign the papers on 15th June. OK I was a strong advocate of alternative locations, such as Peterborough, but in the end the numbers did not add up so let’s make a success of this opportunity. With recent advances in electronic communication the actual location is less important than it was. Believe me Cotterell House could not be made suitable for a 21st century organisation and soon we would face massive maintenance costs.
In 2000 the CTC’s Cycling Development Department was reduced to one fairly junior member of staff. I was not on Council at that time. Those of you who help organise local groups and events will know that we have struggled with insufficient capacity to provide the necessary support. I guess I made something of a nuisance of myself about this! Now things are really looking up. In May and June we interviewed for a new CD team. The successful candidates have recently started work for us. The choice was difficult as so many who applied were extremely talented with a lot to offer – a positive sign in itself.
It’s no secret that I’m not wildly enthusiastic about the experimental committee structure but one of the aims is to break down “silos.” We’ll see how it works out.
What we must do is to broaden the range of people involved in CTC Council– for example younger people, those with young families, those with full-time jobs and women. Our current ways of working may suit the retired and semi-retired but they may have to change.
The CTC will always need to balance its campaign, organised cycling and service activities. I believe I have made a significant contribution over the last few years, that I have more to give and hope you will support me this time.
Jim Brown 38 Brick Kiln Road, STEVENAGE, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NH Tel 01438 354505
www.steveagectc.info jim.brown@2ctc.freeserve.co.uk
John Catt (East Midlands)
I have been a member of the CTC since 1987 and am a member of the Leicestershire and Rutland CTC committee (webmaster – www.lrctc.bravehost.com). I was a founding member (1992) of the Loughborough and District Cycle Users' Campaign (www.ldcuc.org.uk) and am currently its treasurer.
Born in 1950, I am married with two children of school age. We are a car free household and reliant on bicycles as our principle form of transport. I am proud to be a parent governor of a comprehensive community school (Woodbrook Vale High School in Loughborough). In addition I am a Trustee of the British Humanist Association (a registered charity), Treasurer of Leicester Secular Society (a not for profit company) and am also involved with the local environmental group Action for a Better Charnwood. My other interests include sailing and maintaining simple websites for several voluntary organisations.
Before retirement at the end of 2006 (after 37 years' service) I worked in banking, my final position being Business Analysis Manager in the card transaction processing business Streamline.
I would like to see the CTC continue to build on its relationship with the local groups, in particular refining the co-ordination of campaigns, so that issues are raised effectively at both the national and local level.
I am keen to see the CTC continue to expand its membership and influence, while maintaining a sound financial base and operational efficiency.
Martin Cockersole (Eastern)
I am standing for election as I would like use my skills and experience to improve conditions for those 
who share my huge enthusiasm for cycling in the UK.
Combined with my lifelong interest in cycling, I believe my career as a Chartered Civil Engineer, including seven years as County Surveyor and then Director of Environmental Services for Essex County Council, leaves me well equipped to help the CTC pursue its goals.
During my working life my dedication to cycle travel meant I was seen by some colleagues as a bit of a curiosity being the only Director who used a ‘pushbike’ to get to work.
Although the political environment at the time was not always helpful, we managed to get some useful cycle initiatives off the ground. The Colchester to Wivenhoe route was opened as were many others, such as the Chelmer Village link to the town centre in Chelmsford. Cycle maps for all the significant towns in Essex were also published.
Through my work I have a background of managing at strategic level, interacting with national and local government, and operating in the public arena. I believe these skills would be useful to the CTC.
If elected, I would be a new member of the Council and would listen and learn in the early days to identify how I could contribute most effectively.
However there are three areas I am particularly interested in:
· Cycling infrastructure - too many of the new facilities are unattractive to cyclists and some are clearly unnecessary. Some are positively unsafe.
· Highway maintenance - too many highway inspectors assess safety hazards from a car driver’s perspective.
· Cycle carriage on trains - storage facilities in new rolling stock are woefully inadequate despite the CTC’s worthy campaign.
As one of two representatives from the region I would work with my colleague to communicate effectively with District Associations and local groups.
I have cycled in all our counties and know how much of a challenge keeping in touch in such a large area will be. But it’s a key activity and I promise that if I am elected I will be pro-active in this respect and make myself as available and accessible as possible.
Since I retired early in 2000 I have been busy with an Open University degree course but have also kept up my cycling. I have completed the End to End twice and also the opposite diagonal from Dungeness to Cape Wrath. I have cycled the last two Dunwich Dynamo overnight rides and this year the Exmouth Exodus.
I hope you will support my election, and allow me to use my enthusiasm and experience to help the CTC.
Barry Flood (Northern Ireland and Overseas)
I am 63, married with 2 grown up children and 1 granddaughter. I have cycled for busine
ss and pleasure all my life, and joined the CTC in 1985. As a family we toured in Ireland, Britain and Europe, and my wife and I continue to cycle tour extensively in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. I am a CTC Tour Leader and have led tours in Europe, India and Ireland.
Professionally I was an Area Director for the Inland Revenue, and am professionally qualified in a wide range of taxation issues, both personal and corporate, including the taxation of charities and members clubs like the CTC. I have skills in management of large national organisation as well as in leading and motivating teams. I was for over 20 years a member of the national executive committee of the trade union representing the senior civil service.
Council interests:
I originally joined the CTC for the traditional set of members’ services. An efficient, cost effective and professional service to members is still our core activity. Without large membership numbers and subscriptions we will have neither the political or financial clout to campaign effectively. We need to take cycling from the enthusiasm of the committed few to the preferred transport of the many.
The political influence of the CTC, like any other pressure group, is dependent on size and perceived effectiveness. The more alliances we can make the greater will be our ability to promote an alternative transport strategy to compete with the road transport’s lobby stranglehold on central and local government thinking and funds.
To strengthen our influence at national and local levels we need to re-examine our alliance strategies to embrace the widest range of sustainable transport and environmental pressure groups. Not only will this give us a stronger voice, but we can learn from new partners and contribute our particular expertise for the mutual benefit of all.
Our goal is to become an organisation widely recognised as a prime source of advice and influence as necessary, but with the teeth to fight, when we have to, for the rights of alternative road users
I applaud the CTC policy of taking the AGM to the people, and I speak for members on this side of the Irish Sea when I say we look forward to extending Irish hospitality to those attending next years AGM in Northern Ireland.
Representing, as I hope I shall, the many members who live far away from CTC headquarters, I shall want to involve all of them, whether they are in Britain, Ireland or abroad, in as many CTC activities as possible. I would hope to act as a first contact point for overseas members, and, much closer to home, explore renewed contacts with the large number of potential members in the Republic of Ireland who share many of our concerns and aims.
Norman Hayes (South West)
Background
Since a CTC section tour to Norway as a 15-year-old I have been an enthusiast for cycling in all its forms.
My activities as a clubman have included organising and taking part in time trials, audax events and an occasional road race.
I am just as happy commuting by bike, riding a Sustrans route or CTC challenge ride, mountain biking, taking part in a tandem club rally, marshalling, or perhaps helping with young cyclist training. Our annual holiday almost always includes a stage or two at the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia.
Why did I stand for election to the CTC Council ?
To work with like-minded cyclists using our experience of cycling and business to get more people on their bikes more often.
We currently have a remarkable opportunity to capitalise on the increasing awareness of health and the environmental benefits of cycling.
I believe it is important to:
- achieve CTC Strategy and Vision objectives
- use the established know-how of the CTC district associations
- build on campaigning and right-to-ride representation
- give more publicity to local and national events
- provide more and even better benefits for members
The council, in my opinion, can assist our executive team when they bid for Government funding and commercial sponsorship for cycle training and environmental projects. When we work with funding partners, however, it is important not to lose our independence.
What can I offer?
My background is marketing and my business life has involved chairmanship of South West local enterprise agencies – public-private partnerships working with small business. I understand the working of local authorities, central government and European funding through work with enterprise agencies and as chairman of a town council. Nowadays, however, I would much rather devote my time to being part of the CTC team working to promote all aspects of cycling.
Peter Hayman (Scotland)
Cyclists’ Touring Club was formed by early cyclists who appreciated riding man’s best invention (by 
popular vote) and wanted to share their experience and spread the word.
Now suddenly, after a century of burning half the planet’s oil, the bicycle has its place again in re-defining how people get around. The machine and the CTC have both evolved and are now needed more than ever. The traditional values of the CTC, of the enjoyment and companionship of cycling, are as relevant today as are its accumulated knowledge, advocacy, promotion of cycling and long-standing care for the environment.
As well as simple transport to get around, cycling can open up all sorts of pleasures and new discoveries. The efforts put into cycling are all rewarded with interest.
Cycling can take you to an elevated state of being.
CV. Some of my earliest memories are of enjoying my trike and then a much loved two wheeler. Riding over Hampstead Heath to school was a mixture of effort and exhilaration like most cycling. After a time in the Merchant Navy, it was a cycle over Highgate Hill to study Industrial design at Hornsey College of Art. Commuting by bike continued with a move to Scotland in ’69 to work on machine tool design, then some free lance jobs, while British industry kept going. After fitting out my wife Anne’s law offices in Kilmarnock, I’ve stayed on assisting her. Having my own desk has allowed some cycle campaigning.
In the early 90s the bicycle was used as a way back to health and fitness. A CTC Ayrshire section Audax let me check progress before going on a cycling tour of the family down south, coupled with seeing the Tour de France. I joined CTC and have enjoyed cycling with the group in the beautiful West of Scotland countryside ever since. Trips with section friends followed, to the Alps, a ‘bike’ Hotel on the Adriatic and cycling in the Pyranees, again linked to the Tour de France. Then we did the UK, enjoying the variety of countryside and weather of LE~JOG.
Becoming serious about cycling soon led to Rights work in Ayrshire and representing Glasgow DA on CTC Scotland. CTCS organised regular Open Days with LAs around Scotland and I took on one in East Renfrewshire. It tied in with the official opening of cycle lanes up the A77, which I had proposed. Spurred on, and with Anne’s indulgence, I then devised and organised the first Glasgow Cyclefest in 1999 under the banner of the CTC backed Scottish Cycle Development Project.
Now living in Glasgow I have also been a long-term member of Go Bike! (Strathclyde Cycling Campaign) and represented them at Velo-City and on CTCS, and am now their Convenor. This year CTCS appointed me Vice-Chair and also backed my offer to be Councillor for Scotland.
John Meudell (South East)
Cycling and cyclists need an effective CTC to provide a representative voice and participative framework for Britain’s club, touring and utility cyclist’s, a task CTC is uniquely placed to do. That the breadth of this role creates tensions between the various arms is understandable. Whilst the profile of cycling in the UK has never been higher, decision makers at many levels all too often still see cycling only as a marginal activity, and overall provision for cycling continues to deteriorate,. So, whilst this remains the case, the campaigning needs of cycling may have to feature more prominently on the CTC agenda than many members might like, myself included. After all we would rather be cycling than campaigning!
Since joining CTC National Council I have been instrumental in bringing forward development plans for our campaigning volunteers and networks, along with developing contacts with academics and students researching cycling in the UK. And, together with several other fellow councillors, I have been pressing for greater transparency of CTC’s financial system and performance.
If re-elected I will continue to bring my expertise to bear on developing and supporting the CTC’s member networks, both on the club and campaigning sides, enhancing their effectiveness through improved utilization of the expertise that lies within them. CTC also needs to improve its service to members, fully addressing the problems experienced by many with the membership system, as well as improving the website and some commercial operations.
By way of background, like many of my dirt-tracking peers, the introduction of mountain bikes in the mid-eighties re-invigorated my interest in cycling, which then expanded into most types of cycling and cycles. I have cycle toured extensively in the UK, Europe and North America, including a trans-America ride, and competed in Audax events in the UK and Europe. Since returning from Holland in 2000, I became a Right-to-Ride (RtR) representative and, latterly, one of the two regional RtR representatives for the South East, representing the CTC on the Highways Agency Regional Road Users Committee.
I have been an engineer and business and operations analyst for more than 35 years, during which time I have lived, worked and cycled in the UK, Europe, North America and the Far East. In addition to working for major nationally and internationally known companies; such as Rolls-Royce, Shell and British Steel, I have also worked in central government and the voluntary sector. I hold post-graduate degrees in engineering, operations research and, most recently, transport planning. I own six bicycles.
Greg Price (London)
As the largest and oldest cycling group in the UK, the CTC has a proud heritage of campaigning for the 
interests of its members and the wider cycling community. Rooted in its local District Associations and membership, the CTC has a strong voice which is listened to by policy makers – and rightly so.
I am standing for the position of Councillor for the London Region as I want to help the CTC to build upon its successes. I believe that I have a range of skills and experience to offer to the CTC and my fellow members.
I live in central London with my partner and I am a habitual cyclist. I use my bikes to commute each day, as well as for social rides, audaxing and touring. I am a fairly regular attendee at the Cheam and Morden DA Friday Night Rides to the Coast and recently completed the ‘Dun Run’. Recent and planned tours include East Anglia, Malta, Holland and Libya.
I applaud the work undertaken by the CTC on issues such as the recent revisions of the Highway Code, but I would also like to see us putting a concerted effort into:
- increasing the membership, particularly amongst minority groups and those in the 18-50 age range;
- reviewing the membership administration as problems with renewal seem, from anecdotal evidence, to be a worryingly common occurrence;
- continuing to defend cyclists’ right to use the road and to push the agenda of respect for all road users; and,
- continuing to strengthen and empower the District Associations.
As well as being a keen cyclist, I believe my professional skills and experience would allow me to make a positive contribution to the work of the CTC. I currently work in professional regulation but in the past I have also worked in the charitable sector, including as a volunteer director of a specialist legal advice and advocacy organisation. My practical experience is complemented by a formal qualification in charity management.
My work has led me to develop productive working relationships with a wide range of individuals and organisations, from government departments and international organisations to commercial organisations and individuals. I am used to representing the views of ‘constituents’ to third parties at all levels, to monitoring their actions in response to those issues and to calling them to account if they fail to deliver.
If elected, I believe I can give the CTC and my constituents the time that they deserve as I have a supportive employer and partner. The CTC must always strive to keep the member's concerns uppermost, as the CTC exists for and because of its members, and this means that national councillors must remain vigilant and recognise the need to keep a close eye on delivery from National Office.
I would be honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to the management of the CTC and to the further development of cycling in London and the UK.
Kevan Shuttleworth (Yorkshire and the Humber)
My cycling life began 25 years ago when I left university and started work: I settled on my bicycle as 
preferred mode of commuting transport. (I have never learned to drive a car.) I joined CTC in 1985, still only a commuting cyclist at the time, then subsequently took up leisure riding, cycle-camping, racing and audax. I started riding with Huddersfield section ten years ago, and have been a committee member for nine years. For the last five years I have been editor and printer of the section magazine; leader of the weekly Tuesday evening rides; occasional leader of weekend rides and organiser of social events. I am also on the West Yorkshire DA committee; the organising committee of a local charity ride; and the marshal/helper team of Phil and Friends. I attend meetings of local cyclists with local government. I am a Sustrans volunteer ranger for my local section of route 66. I was awarded Yorkshire and Humber Volunteer of the Year for 2006.
My history puts me in an interesting position: for most of my membership I have been one of those members (the majority) who never ride with or even contact their local group, then I have become a participant in local group activities and latterly an organiser of them. Perhaps this enables me to understand and represent all kinds of member. I enjoy a wide range of cycling: I have mountain bikes, road racing bikes (one of them fixed gear), a BMX and a Brompton, as well as my beloved touring bikes which also double as utility bikes.
I still consider myself primarily a utility cyclist and believe that CTC's most important role is as a national campaigning organisation promoting cycling and working for the rights of all cyclists; that the most important challenges which lie ahead are those of influencing government policy (both national and local) and changing public opinion towards cycling. Having said that I also believe that support for local groups needs attention, considering that they are a significant source of new members: non-members come on local group rides and then join the club. I have personally recruited more members than I can count by this route. The standard allocation is insufficient to fund this work.
I have been a church elder since 1984. I should explain that this does not mean old people!... The elders are the 'board of directors' of the local church, with responsibility as a team for all aspects of running the place. I am also on the church finance committee, and was its deputy chair for a period. I am a member of the leader team at a local scout troop. By profession I am a pharmaceutical analyst. My job involves problem solving and method development in the realm of medicine testing and manufacture, plus colleague training.
I hope that the above experience will enable me to be an effective councillor for CTC.
Arthur Spurr (Yorkshire and the Humber)
I’ve served as CTC Councillor for Y&H Region for four years; I think I’ve brought something to the task of 
building a more vibrant CTC. I’m a retired, 57 year old, lone cyclist, originally from Leeds and now Hessle near the Humber Bridge, with touring bike and Brompton. My background is Policy Development within Local Government, and 30 years serving voluntary sector committees, my interests have been mental health, housing, and general community development. I feel I have made a real contribution to CTC strategy and implementation, whilst maintaining security of its resources and upholding integrity. I think of CTC daily and serve ex-officio on the York Cycle Show/Rally Committee. I want to see a more diverse CTC in activity and membership.
CTC at 130 isn’t old! Cycling is one of the greatest inventions to help humankind in, mobility, leisure, health, environment; problems within cities, socially and economically. The national agenda is finally coming our way. CTC can act, remaining a cycling club for its members with events and central support services, and additionally as catalyst within renaissance of cycling in Britain. I want both tradition and development. We can’t do everything, but have an important role to play, promoting and demonstrating the worth of cycling; ensuring cyclist’s “right to the road”, challenging and campaigning when threatened or infringed. CTC needs to be active in many ways!
CTC has to catch up technologically based at the much needed new National Office. I don’t claim IT knowledge but know without such investments CTC cannot hope to thrive; we have to communicate effectively. I strongly support the changes to local group organisation, now every member is empowered to start a new group; there are new shoots where there hasn’t been presence for decades. Every community should have an active CTC group! We have meaningful Lottery funding, exciting things beginning through Cycling Champions Officers, new ways are being demonstrated promoting cycling. We need to show our ideas work, and that CTC can deliver projects of complexity.
The majority of members are tourists, some world travellers others local, membership is at its highest lever ever! Tourists are and remain CTC’s key supporters; the club must keenly address our needs and interests.
I learnt to ride on less congested streets and “bombsites”, in Leeds; I have my Cycling Proficiency, touring came later. Present generations don’t have this nurturing. CTC Bikeability can become an agency of choice for delivering training through Local Authorities etc., giving road craft and pride. We all see young people performing skilful tricks and manoeuvres on cycles? There’s enthusiasm for “biking” but absence of roadskills. The majority of cycles are mountain bikes by choice. How do we engage this interest so some participate in cycling more generally? I believe CTC must engage people where they’re at, through shorter rides, as part of distinct activity programmes. Too many people who might tour and cycle daily are lost without ever knowing the full benefits and pleasures.
I ask for your continued trust and vote.
Helen Vecht (London)
I have been a CTC member for 30 years, a member of the London Cycling Campaign for over 20 years and joined Audax UK in 1993.
I commuted regularly by bicycle both inside and outside London from the age of 17. I have toured extensively by bicycle and completed Audax rides of up to 1000km. I won the CTC DATC Ladies’ Cup in 1995.
I worked as a doctor in Accident and Emergency until forced to retire through ill-health in 2003. This gave experience in teamwork under the most stressful conditions.
I serve on the Committees of Edgware CTC, the West London District Association of the CTC and Camden Cyclists.
I compile and edit the Camden Cyclist newsletter. Letters I have written on cycling matters have been published in The Independent, the London Evening Standard and local newspapers.
I would seek to make Council more accessible and approachable to its constituency and to work to improve the age profile of CTC membership. We must try to recruit the ‘lost generation’ of ages 18-50 years. In my own neighbourhood, few men and almost no women cycle. There is an ‘anti-cyclist’ culture that must be resisted through all possible means. Fear of collision is a major deterrent to cycling and I would campaign for legal liability to favour the cyclist. The penalties for causing injury to cyclists are derisory and do nothing to educate driver behaviour.
Co-Optees to Council
Sarah Matthews
I’m passionate about cycling and the benefits it brings to people. I’ve been cycling throughout my life and love it - whether it’s commuting in London, pottering to the shops, or touring. In 2009 I made my first long distance trip, zig-zagging through France, along the Pyrenees and through Spain, arriving 3000 miles later at Gibraltar – healthier than I’ve been in years!
In an age where concerns about the environment are growing, obesity levels are rising and public transport is increasingly congested, I believe cycling is a brilliant antidote. Bicycles should really be everyone’s favourite 21st century living accessory. I’d love to see less people taking out gym memberships in January (and giving up in March!) and instead, more people taking out CTC memberships and dusting down their bikes.
My professional background is in marketing. I’ve worked for a range of companies in different sectors – big brands like Selfridges, Marks and Spencer and Egg PLC and more recently, companies in the social and digital space including JustGiving, Zopa and Green Thing, an environmental campaign that aims to tackle climate change with creativity.
I specialise in brand development, marketing communications and customer insight and have experience in working with organisations looking to influence behaviour change and attract different customer groups – often during periods of organisational change.
I’m delighted to have been appointed as co-optee and hope Council will find my skills and experience helpful. I’m looking forward to working with fellow CTC councillors over the next period to get more people on their bikes.
