We know that cycling numbers are on the rise. In days when it is the norm to seek some time away from your home desk, or when it is essential to get somewhere, cycling has been an option for more people.
Research around the cycle hire schemes show that the number of users has risen by 70 per cent in Edinburgh and 30 per cent in Glasgow since August last year.
CoMoUK is a shared mobility charity which is keeping an eye on these figures and will publish a report on its findings later in the year. Today they are holding a webinar ‘Pedalling a Green Recovery’ to discuss what they have found thus far.
Nearly three-quarters of people who use bikes say they now cycle more often and 58% said that bike-sharing schemes were the trigger to taking up cycling again with around 10% buying their own bike.
Lorna Finlayson, Scotland director for CoMoUK, said:
“The early indications are that bike-sharing schemes have made a huge impact in Scotland’s two largest cities.
“There has been a significant increase in cycling in Glasgow and Edinburgh, which translates to thousands of people swapping four wheels for two.
“That has an obvious positive impact for the environment and congestion, but our respondents have told us it’s helping their own health and wellbeing too.
“That’s particularly important as we navigate through a global pandemic and associated lockdowns.
“It also shows that people are more than willing to change their travelling and commuting habits if government and other public agencies come together to make those choices available.
“By improving cycling infrastructure and encouraging more people onto their bikes, our cities will become cleaner and traffic will be reduced on our streets.”
CoMoUK’s ‘Pedalling a Green Recovery’ webinar will tell participants how bike-sharing was launched in Glasgow and Edinburgh to increase access to bikes, to encourage cycling and ease pressure on public transport.
They will also explain how more cycling can help other policy areas such as public health, improving air quality and reducing congestion.
To register for today’s webinar visit: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/15/10vgzf4
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
