Milton Keynes city leaders agree action to close 'Gender Pedal Gap' and strengthen Redway network
City leaders, police officers and transport chiefs agreed on 20 commitments to active travel at the MK Cycling Summit 2026, hosted last week by The Open University.
The day began with a commuter "Bike Bus" ride from Station Square and included presentations, advice from Cycling UK and even an awards ceremony.
Attending the event, 143 people represented 53 local schools, businesses, civic institutions, charities and cycling groups. They discussed what's needed to make cycling in Milton Keynes work better for everyone, particularly women and girls, who currently make up less than a quarter of the city's regular cyclists.
These commitments were agreed during the summit:
- ‘School Streets’ at Cold Harbour, Loughton and Two Mile Ash schools
- Factoring gender differences into the planning of Redways
- ‘Healthy Streets’ and gender-perspective training for Councillors and officers
- Publication of Redway Design Manual
- Redway-prioritised road crossings pilot
- Annual report to Council on Walking & Cycling in the city
- Meeting to discuss secure cycle parking hub at MK Central Station
- One-day closure of Midsummer Boulevard for 60th birthday celebration
- Redway maintenance at specific locations
- Meeting to discuss planning for new MK BMX Hub
Mayor’s Cycling Awards were presented to MK-based companies including Network Rail, Red Bull Technology, Camphill MK, Sustainable MK, Volkswagen Financial Services and MK
University Hospital. The ceremony was followed by a performance from Cold Harbour School choir.
Cllr Kerrie Bradburn, Cabinet Member of Highways & Transport, said: “It was good to see so many different groups represented in the room and the song from the schoolchildren was a treat!
“I was pleased to make various pledges of action over the coming year and look forward to working with the Cycling Citizens MK alliance going forward.”