The Andrew Cyclist Charitable Trust receives support from four of Scotland’s most exciting musical talents
The organisation has only been in existence since January, but its campaign to make Scottish roads safer for all road users has already attracted widespread and emphatic support.
Now four of Scotland’s most exciting and prodigious musicians are lending their talents to the cause for a benefit evening in May.
The concert on Friday 11 May 2012 at 7.30pm in Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace will include performances by Matthew McAllister (guitar) with Aisling Agnew (flute) and soprano Natasha Day, accompanied by George Duthie (piano).
Tickets £12 (£8 conc) are available from the Usher Hall Box Office: 0131 228 1155 Online: www.usherhall.co.uk or from the Polwarth Church Office: 0131 346 2711 Office hours Tues 9.30-1, Friday 2-6, Sat 10-1. f
The founders of the Trust include Ian and Lynne McNicoll, who set it up after the devastating loss of Ian’s son, Andrew, on 5 January 2012.
Andrew died after an accident involving an articulated lorry whilst cycling to work on the Lanark Road. ‘We’re thrilled and grateful that such outstanding musicians have agreed to support the charity.’ said Ian McNicoll, ‘We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far to the Andrew Cyclist campaign”
The McNicolls describe themselves as ‘doers, not talkers’ and since Andrew Cyclist was formed, they have become advocates and fundraisers for a change on UK roads. ‘All road users need to work together,’ they explained. ‘There seems to be a lot of animosity between the different groups which isn’t at all helpful.’
Andrew’s friends, work colleagues at Balfour Beatty Construction and family have already been fundraising energetically for Andrew Cyclist, with planned cycle rides and a dragon boat race. Their campaign is one of a number nationwide. There is a growing awareness that cyclists are all too often paying the ultimate price on the UK’s busy roads. Fifteen cyclists have already died in Britain this year, and the McNicolls are determined to do their best to reverse the rising trend.
They welcome The City of Edinburgh Council’s 2012/13 Budget decision to allocate 5% of its transport budget to improvements for cyclists, but still believe that specific measures need to be taken. They have also met with local Councillor and MSP, Alison Johnstone, to call for support of the following :-
- A review of speed limits to make them appropriate for all road users including cyclists and a review of parking where there are traffic islands and other road obstacles.
- The deaths and serious injury of cyclists (and others) should be avoided by concerted action by the Scottish Parliament, local authorities and other public bodies and representatives from cycling organisations.
- An agreed package of measures for increased road safety within the next twelve months.
MSPs decided last week without taking a vote that they would act on the motion put before them by Alison Johnstone. “We need action now,” insisted the McNicolls, ‘before any other families suffer the same loss as us’.
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