Pedal on Parliament – Bus lanes – ‘Big Hoodies’ – Business rates – Council Elections
Pedal on Parliament took place on Saturday 28 April on a day that combined sombre moments with an air of celebration. After a minute’s silence, observed by the crowd of more than 2,500 strong according to Lothian and Borders Police, a mass ringing of bike bells, horns and cheers marked the start of the ride from the Meadows to Holyrood. The ride passed without incident, with the police closing a number of junctions temporarily to keep the ride together in a safe manner. The ride was notable for the large number of families and children among the throng, including kids on balance bikes, with stabilisers, in child seats, tagalongs and pedalling under their own steam.
Once at Holyrood the petition was presented to MSPs Jim Eadie for the SNP, Sarah Boyack for Labour and Alison Johnstone for the Greens, as well as Councillor Gordon McKenzie for the Lib Dems in front of the assembled mass of cyclists. Also addressing the crowd were Lynne McNicoll, whose stepson was killed on Edinburgh’s roads earlier this year, prompting her to set up the Andrew Cyclist Foundation with her husband; and Mark Beaumont, the round the world cyclist and adventurer who rode the route with a handmade banner calling for a Cycle Friendly Scotland.
Participants decorated their bikes, and themselves, for the fun event, which saw children paddling and swimming in the pools
afterwards at Holyrood, as the spring sunshine seemed to make an appearance especially for the ride.
The event proved exceeded the wildest expectations of the organisers, and Dave Brennan, part of the grass roots Pedal on Parliament campaign said:- ‘Originally we’d hoped that 300 cyclists might show up – in the end, ten times that number cared enough to come out on the day. We’re overwhelmed by the response and it just shows the depth of feeling there is in this country, especially among families. There is clearly still a long way to go but today has shown our politicians that Scots want Scotland to be a cycle-friendly nation. Now it’s up to them to act on the proposals we’ve set out in our manifesto’.
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Watch out for the bus lane cameras in Edinburgh, which have so far caught around 5,000 motorists according to The Scotsman.
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The last of Joe Caplin’s drawings have gone up over the weekend. They can be found at the following locations:
– 20 Cowgate (At the very top of the Cowgate)
– Under George IV Bridge
– Guthrie Street
– Robertson’s Close
– Top of Holyrood Road
– Intersection to Viewcraig Gardens & Holyrood Road
We love them! What do you think?
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Edinburgh businesses hit by the tram project have claimed back rates of around £5m according to The Daily Record. Businesses in Princes Street and at the West End say their businesses have been affected.
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Three more days of campaigning before the city goes to the polls. Have you had a visit from your prospective councillor yet? You can find out all about the candidates on our Council Elections page with a link to the individual profiles and copies of the manifestos where we have been able to get them.
