Better Transport

We’ve found some fantastic online guides for campaigners, covering everything from starting a group to writing a press release. Some focus on issues that aren’t related to transport, but the advice is useful whatever your campaign.

Starting and running a group

The DIY Guide to Climate Action Groups (pdf), a great guide from the Climate Outreach and Information Network

How to start a campaigning group (guide by Yes2Wind)

How to start a student campaigning group (on The Ecologist website)

How to get more people involved with your group (guide by Rising Tide)

How to manage meetings (guide by Rising Tide)

How to run a meeting (guide by Seeds for Change)

How to raise funds for your group (guide by Friends of the Earth - PDF)

Help with the law, from Law and Your Environment

"Whilst it is very helpful to have national opposition to a road scheme, it is far more effective if local residents unite and voice their objections" - Guy Dickinson, Bypass the Bypass

Getting support for your campaign

How to produce leaflets and posters (Guide by CPRE)

How to run a public meeting (guide by Yes2Wind)

How to speak in public (Guide by CPRE)

How to speak in public (guide by Campaign Against Arms Trade)

"More people will come to your public meeting if they feel they have ownership, so involve as many people as you can" - Julie White, No Widening M1

Using the media

How to write a press release (guide by Media Trust)

How to give a media interview (guide by Media Trust)

How to get local media coverage (guide by Media Trust)

How to use the media (guide by George Monbiot)

How to use the media (guide by Campaign Against Arms Trade)

Media Trust and PA (the Press Association) help groups get their story out to the media through Community Newsire, a great new agency. The Media Trust also runs the Community Channel television station.

"Make friends with your local newspaper and radio station" - Barry Moore, Ipswich and East Suffolk Campaign for Better Transport

Influencing decision-makers

How to write effective letters (Guide by CPRE)

How to lobby your MP (pdf 178kb) (Guide by nfpSynergy)

How to lobby your MP (Guide by CPRE)

How to lobby your MP (guide by Keep Our NHS Public)

How to hold a protest (Guide by CPRE)

"When lobbying bus companies, it’s important to remember that they’re businesses trying to make a legitimate profit by providing something we want – good bus services" - Ray Wilkes, West Yorkshire Campaign for Better Transport

Inspiring campaigning videos

Campaigners find creative ways to use a parking space

Campaigners raise awareness of plans to narrow a New York sidewalk

A different kind of city is possible: student rush hour in Cambridge

Recommend more inspiring videos

Good idea: The proposed Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass would ruin a woodland nature reserve. To gain support for its campaign against the road, Save Swallows Wood runs guided walks in the nature reserve. Up to 40 people take part in each walk, many of them local residents who have never been to the wood before.