National Cycling Conference – in Reading!

Cycling UK and Reading Cycle Campaign invite you to join us on Saturday 14th November in Reading. Come together in person and connect with others who are trying to make cycling better where they live.

With expert speakers and interactive workshops, you’ll come away with the skills to communicate with confidence.

When: Saturday 14 November 2026, 10:00–17:00. Arrive from 09:30 for tea and coffee, we’ll get started at 10:00. Includes a packed lunch. Where: Reading Civic Centre, Bridge St, Reading, RG1 2LU. Travel: 10-minute walk from Reading train station. Bike parking available at the front of the building and other areas nearby. Closest car park is Holy Brook Car Park on Bridge St (this can get busy on Saturdays). Cost: free to attend; voluntary contributions to help cover costs are much appreciated.

Highlights include: * Keynote address * Interactive workshops on reframing the message, led by experienced facilitators from Cycling UK and partner organisations * A panel discussion on having better conversations about cycling featuring campaigning, communications and behavioural change specialists * Learning from successful local campaign groups from across the UK and Ireland, sharing practical lessons and real-world experience

Plus Breakout sessions covering: * Working effectively with the media * Influencing and communicating with local councils * Adapting campaigns to change and devolution

View more detailed programme as a PDF or Word document.

Summary Programme

9.30     Registration with tea & coffee 10.00   Welcome by Reading Borough Council and Cycling UK, followed by Keynote speech by Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner 10.15   Introduction to framing and why it matters – multiple workshops 11.30   Interview with Lee Waters, Former Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change 12.00   Tea and coffee break 12.15   Feedback from workshop facilitators and opportunity for questions 12.30   Panel session – How to have better conversations

1.15     Lunch

2.10     Winning hearts and minds – local campaign groups and panel share their framing tips and lessons learned 3.20     Tea and coffee break 3.40     Three parallel workshops:

• How to engage with the media.
• Communicating effectively with your council.
• What are you or could you be doing differently – adapting to change and devolution

4.35     Wrap up, reflections and next steps 5.00   Close

Please join us if you are interested in building broader public support for cycling. You’ll leave with practical skills, fresh perspectives and new connections to help strengthen cycling advocacy.

Places are limited, so early booking is recommended – please register here: https://www.cyclinguk.org/event/reframing-message-local-campaigning-conference