There has been a great deal of discussion about cycling in the capital over recent months, particularly since the current council administration allocated 5% of their transport budget to improving the lot of the two-wheeled brigade. Cycling is now on the political agenda at local and national level, and a January protest at St Andrew’s House brought the matter of a need for investment in cycling and active travel to the attention of Keith Brown, the Transport Minister.
A group of committed cyclists have now organised a ride to Holyrood which is taking place this Saturday. Called Pedal on Parliament it promises to be a big event to highlight the lot of the humble cyclist on the streets around Scotland and particularly in Edinburgh.
POP say:-“Pedal on Parliament will be gathering cyclists from across the nation to cycle on Holyrood to tell our politicians that cycling matters, to show our need for safer cycling and cities fit for people. Please join us and help make a Scotland fit for cycling!”
POP will gather cyclists from all over Scotland to highlight to all politicians that there is a need for safer cycling across the country. In anticipation of the ride (and the picnic!) they have produced an eight-point manifesto which sets out their demands:-
- Proper funding for cycling.
- Design cycling into Scotland’s roads.
- Slower speeds where people live, work and play
- Integrate cycling into local transport strategies
- Improved road traffic law and enforcement
- Reduce the risk of HGVs to cyclists and pedestrians
- A strategic and joined-up programme of road user training
- Improved statistics supporting decision-making and policy
There is a petition which you can sign to support the call for Scotland to become a cycle-friendly nation. If you live outside the city there are some feeder rides from Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Harrison Park and Gilmerton at the last count, with more being planned all the time.
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