May 1st Metro Mayor elections

Voters across England will elect four metro mayors and 1,750 councillors on Thursday 1 May 2025. With 1,600+ councillors and 6 mayors elected on 1st May, 1.2 million UK riders could shift the debate, so we need every rider to contact their candidates now. Find yours at whocanivotefor.co.uk.

MAG have focused resources on the four Metro mayor races: Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and West of England Combined Authority.

Pushing to get motorcycling in the conversation at this stage is vital. MAG invited all the candidates for the Mayoral elections to both answer the following questions and to participate in video interviews.

The questions asked were:

1. Are you supportive of a default policy for motorcycle access in bus lanes? Will you sign and promote this petition?

2. What will you do to encourage integration of motorcycling as a sustainable transport choice in the transport policies of the Combined Authority?

3. What will you do to help tackle theft of motorcycles and anti-social use of motorcycles in the Combined Authority area?

4. How will you improve road surfaces to reduce risks to riders in the Combined Authority area?

While the responses to these questions are important, equally so is their willingness to engage with MAG. These communications serve an indication of their likeness to commit to further engagement should they be elected.

The following table details those who responded and to what extent.

Find the individual responses from the candidates in your area below

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority candidate responses

The Candidates for Hull and East Yorkshire Metro Mayor are:

Rowan Halstead– Yorkshire Party

Luke Campbell- Reform

Anne Handley– Conservative

Kerry Harrison- Green

Margaret Pinder- Labour

Michael James Ross- Lib Dem

Rowan Halstead- Yorkshire Party

Thank you for the email. I want to hear about everyone’s issues and concerns and that very much includes yours.

Please find my responses below:

I do not believe in making false promises or commitments that may later be broken, and as such, I cannot offer such a commitment. I am committed to practising honest and transparent politics. However, I would be keen to explore any relevant pilot schemes conducted elsewhere in order to better understand the issue. Should these initiatives show promise, I would consider launching a trial in our region to assess their potential in alleviating congestion, or more importantly, in improving safety for riders, drivers, and pedestrians. I trust you appreciate my candid approach, as I am determined never to make a promise I cannot fulfil.
I believe it is crucial to promote all sustainable transport options, including motorcycles. I would ensure that motorcyclists are given due consideration and be present in any discussions for proposed changes or improvements to our road and rail infrastructure. Your voices, though often overlooked, are just as significant as those of any other road users.
I would collaborate closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and local law enforcement to implement a robust, no-nonsense approach to the issues of theft and joyriding involving motorcycles. As a former member of the Armed Forces, I am committed to ensuring a disciplined response to these concerns. Having witnessed such behaviour, myself as a child in the streets of Hull, I am acutely aware of the impact it has on communities, and it is something I am deeply concerned about for the safety of my own children. Rest assured, I would devote considerable time and effort to tackling these issues.
I would propose the development of a live regional map allowing residents to report and view potholes and hazardous road surfaces. This platform would enable the public to identify areas of concern, allowing for communal acknowledgment of widespread issues. Not only would this provide officials with critical data, but it would also place pressure on them to take prompt action. Furthermore, it would allow us to gather data on recurring problem areas, informing both short- and long-term strategies for road maintenance. We have the financial resources; what we require is a clear, effective strategy.

Kind regards,

Rowan Halstead

Co-leader of the Yorkshire Party

Candidate for Hull & East Riding Mayor

Rowan Halstead, also joined Colin for a video interview.

Anne Handley- Conservative

“I am certainly supportive of safe and responsible motorcycling across Hull and the East Riding. If I am elected to the position of Mayor, I would have transport and infrastructure as a core part of my remit and will use this to invest in road improvements and ensure that our transport network is improved for all road users. Motorcycling is an integral part of these plans, and I am supportive of ensuring safe and easy access to the road network for cyclists and motorcyclists alike. I confirm that I would certainly work with national Government to improve access to the road network but would be bound by laws relating to bus lanes. I would be happy to discuss this with you of course.

Lastly, I would also work closely with the Police & Crime Commissioner and Humberside police to tackle motorcycle theft and anti-social use.

Anne Handley

Conservative candidate for Hull & East Riding Mayor”

Anne Handley was also booked for a video interview with Colin. Unfortunately, she was unable to join at the time due to technical difficulties. One of her campaign objectives is for better internet connectivity in the region.

Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority candidate responses

The Candidates for Greater Lincolnshire Metro Mayor are:

Jason Stockwood– Labour

Sally Anne Horscroft– Green

Andrea Jenkyns- Reform

Marianne Overton- Independent

Rob Waltham- Conservative

Jason Stockwood- Labour

“Thank you for getting in touch with clear and important questions on behalf of motorcyclists in Greater Lincolnshire. As a Vespa owner and someone who commuted for 15 years by motorcycle, I am very happy to provide specific responses to each question:

Motorcycle access in bus lanes:

Yes, I am supportive of motorcyclists being permitted access to bus lanes as a default policy, provided local safety assessments confirm suitability. I have signed and am happy to promote the petition you linked to.

Integration of motorcycling as sustainable transport:

If elected, I would ensure that motorcycling is recognised within the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority’s sustainable transport strategy. This would include actively engaging with motorcyclist groups to ensure that policies encourage safe motorcycle use, improve secure motorcycle parking in towns and cities, and include motorcycling in sustainable transport campaigns.

Tackling motorcycle theft and antisocial behaviour:

I would work closely with Lincolnshire Police and community safety partnerships to target theft and antisocial use of motorcycles specifically. This would include promoting security schemes, secure parking infrastructure, and community-based initiatives, alongside tougher enforcement against theft and dangerous riding.

Improving road surfaces:

Improving the quality and safety of road surfaces would be a high priority for me, especially given their critical impact on motorcyclist safety. I would ensure greater investment in road maintenance and a clearer process for motorcyclists to report dangerous road conditions so these can be urgently addressed.

Thanks again for reaching out, and for your commitment to improving conditions for local riders.

Best wishes

Jason Stockwood

Labour and Co operative Candidate for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor”

Jason Stockwood also joined Colin for a video interview.

Sally Anne Horscroft- Green

“1) I don’t feel that I currently have enough information on this – it’s certainly something that I would look at, but I would need more information on the safety aspect in particular. I’d also question whether, at the moment, there are enough bus lanes in the county to make it viable to implement.

2) I certainly think motorcycling is a important means of transport – we would need to look at the reasons why people don’t ride bikes more. I must say that doing my CBT made me realise that it wasn’t going to be a suitable transport method for myself, for various reasons.

3) I think this is more a policing matter, and therefore not under the mayoral remit, but I would collaborate with the PPC to work on this.

4) The poor state of our roads is a concern for all road users (and pedestrians – I’ve had emails about the state of the pavements), partly due to the underfunding of our local councils. The recent funding announced will help but, as an advocate for Greater Lincolnshire with Westminster, I would fight for this to be an integral part of our funding, not an extra.

Best wishes

Sally Horscroft

Green Candidate for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.”

Sally Anne Horscroft also joined Colin for a video interview.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority candidate responses

The Candidates for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Metro Mayor are:

Paul Bristow– Conservative Party

Ryan Coogan – Reform

Lorna Dupre- Liberal Democrat

Bob Ensch- Green Party

Anna Smith- Labour Party

Paul Bristow- Conservative Party

“Bus lanes are currently the responsibility of Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. As you have seen, the government wants to leave decisions on motorcycles using bus lanes to them. I am very open to looking at the evidence and engaging with both you and them.

There are many aspects of the Labour Mayor’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan with which I disagree, including its aim of forcing 15% of vehicles (including motorcycles) off our local roads in the next five years. This would require road charging and closures. It’s one of my early priorities to scrap this target and rewrite the plan, ending the war on motorists. A new plan should involve policies for all road users, based on constructive dialogue with local groups.

Under the government’s plans for devolution, the Mayor will also be able to impose a Key Route Network across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, taking over control of important roads from the two councils. I will use my power of direction to get our key routes properly funded and moving, which will include reopening Mill Road bridge. I am also happy to explore how bus lanes on these key routes are used.

Crime and motorcycle theft sit under the responsibilities of the local Police & Crime Commissioner, not the Mayor. This is likely to change in the next three to four years. In the meantime, I know him well and will be a vocal advocate of tougher action. I have always believed in zero-tolerance policing and pushed hard for more action as Peterborough’s MP. There may also be ways to “design out” some theft and anti-social behaviour through better planning policy and through initiatives for our city and town centres.

It’s currently down to the councils fix our roads and sort out potholes. Although Cambridgeshire just got another £8.1 million to spend on local roads, the Liberal Democrats and Labour have consistently prioritised making it harder to drive, particularly in Cambridge. Over the last four years, they have spent more than double per mile on roads in Cambridge, while diverting funding away from maintenance. So instead of better roads for everyone, the result is more congestion and potholes. The Mayor has a strong say over the allocation of transport funding. I won’t allow fixing our region’s roads to be left off the list.

I hope this answers your questions.

Kind regards

Paul Bristow

Conservative Candidate for Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

Ryan Coogan, standing as the Reform

“With the ever-increasing congestion of our trunk roads and urban centres, it’s blatantly obvious that the encouragement of the use of motorcycles for travelling and commuting is to be vigorously encouraged.

Bikes take up much less road and parking spaces in comparison with cars.

It therefore makes sense to have motorcycle friendly policies entrenched in our transport plans to encourage the trend towards motorcycle commuting in particular.

Such policies might include the provision of ample free and secure m/c parking in town and at workplaces.

We should also consider allowing use, by m/c of the bus lane network in cities with the intention of helping to segregate the relatively vulnerable motorcycles from the general traffic.

In common with cars, motorcycles are becoming increasingly low emission, and their increasing use will assist with driving down carbon emissions and more importantly from study purposes the other pollutants in urban areas.

I am aware that despite all these potential benefits arising from greater motorcycle use, as a sector of the road community, motorcycles enjoy precious little consideration when it comes to transport planning. I hope to be able to redress the balance in favour of the motorcyclist, should I be successful in my bid to become mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Of course it goes without saying to fix the road surfaces, I will be very strong in this regard having a good friend who has worked on the ground repairing the roads and knows exactly what goes on with this regard.”

West of England Combined Authority candidate responses

The Candidates for West of England Metro Mayor are:

Ian Scott– Independent

Arron Banks- Reform

Helen Godwin– Labour

Oli Henman– Lib Dem

Mary Page- Green

Steve Smith– Conservative

Ian Scott- Independant

“I am an independent candidate but have 25 years’ experience of being a Councillor.

I am not going to make any commitments to any group.

However, I am going to make 1 exception in your case, I have signed the petition as requested.

I would prefer to over deliver and under promise. The public are fed up with broken promises from politicians begging for your votes. If elected, I will have an open mind to good suggestions, so I appreciate your lobbying.

Best wishes

Cllr Ian Scott

Local Independent West of England Metro Mayor Candidate.”

Helen Godwin- Labour

“I have been pledging an integrated transport network across the West of England that benefits all road users, including motorcyclists.

Currently, access decisions regarding bus lanes, rest with individual councils; I would implement consistent access policies across all councils, so motorcyclists have certainty as they ride throughout our region.

Working alongside Clare Moody, Avon & Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, we would tackle motorcycle theft and anti-social behaviour by implementing comprehensive measures outlined in the Crime and Policing Bill 2025, which enables immediate seizure of motorbikes used anti-socially without prior warning and applies “Respect Orders” to restrict persistent offenders from problem areas.

We would enhance police operations through the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan by increasing hotspot policing and ensuring swift consequences for offenders, while also revising sentencing guidelines, implementing education campaigns about secure motorcycle storage, and potentially creating designated areas for legal off-road biking.

After years of neglect, we’re also addressing the pothole plague that affects all road users, especially motorcyclists for whom they pose particular danger. With the Labour government investing a record £4.8 billion to deliver vital road schemes and maintain major roads, plus allocating councils £1.6 billion for road repairs and filling millions of potholes, we have real solutions rather than politicians merely pointing at problems. The government has provided the funding and certainty needed; I’ll work with councils across the West of England to ensure that money improves our roads for all users, creating safer conditions for motorcyclists while reducing incentives for anti-social behaviour.

Helen Godwin

Labour Candidate for Mayor of the West of England.”

Oli Henman- Liberal Democrat

“1. The decisions on Highways use are taken by the local councils rather than the Combined Authority. Having said that, I am in favour of encouraging lower emissions forms of travel and recognise that motorcycles have lower emissions than larger vehicles. I would be in favour of considering motorcycle access in bus lanes, providing that the motorcycle riders are careful and considerate of cyclists and other road users.

2. I will consider all forms of transport and ensure that lower emissions transport choices are given greater visibility. This would include a consideration of appropriate parking for motorcycles.

3. I will work with the Avon & Somerset Police to ensure greater action is taken to reduce theft and anti-social use of motorcycles in the Combined Authority area.

4. I will work with all 3 local Councils to continue to identify ways to improve road surfaces for motorcyclists and cyclists. I would lobby national government to agree a better financial settlement for local authorities so that road maintenance can be improved across the area. I would also call for the powers to introduce a tourism levy in the Combined Authority area in order to raise additional funds for public realm improvements.

All the best,

Oli Henman

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of the West of England.”

Steve Smith- Conservative

“Thanks for getting in touch. I’m a biker myself, member of IAM and a former blood biker for ten years. To answer your questions:

1) Yes, and yes!

2) Make sure that motorcycling is considered and designed in when the Combined Authority is developing new infrastructure, for example access to bus lanes, lockers and secure parking. Also, as Mayor I’ll regularly turn up to work / meetings on my bike, which always focusses minds! I’d also like to hear more suggestions from MAG.

3) Other than secure parking areas in new infrastructure I’m not sure what powers I would have as Mayor to assist with this but having had a bike stolen in Bristol myself I am very much on board and happy to work with you on any other suggestions.

4) Again, road surfaces are largely the responsibility of the individual Councils rather than the Combined Authority. I don’t want to make promises that I can’t keep on that but I’m very happy to discuss it further with you.

Yours,

Steve Smith.

Conservative Candidate for Mayor of the West of England.”