Hundreds of cycling campaigners will take part in Pedal on Parliament on Saturday

EDINBURGH cycling campaigners are preparing to “Pedal on Parliament” to pressure lawmakers to bring about “safer and more inclusive” cycling infrastructure.

The ride begins at Middle Meadow Walk and proceeds along closed roads to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

The protest is light-hearted and family-friendly, and people are encouraged to bring children, friends, and a picnic along.

That’s not to say the event does not have a political edge, however; organisers want to see demonstrable change from lawmakers and decisive moves towards active travel at the highest levels of government.

During the Scottish election campaign, the group penned a manifesto where they called for a commitment to 6% of the overall transport budget being spent on active travel, rising to 10% by the end of the parliamentary term.

They also demanded redoubled efforts to install high-quality cycleways across the country, a reassessment of cycling safety standards, and efforts made to repair what they see as artificial divisions sown between cyclists and other road users.

The group will be keeping a close eye on new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, who took over the transport brief from Fiona Hyslop.

Hundreds of cyclists will meet at Middle Meadow Walk by the Millennium milepost from around 11am.

On the day, The Bike Station will be providing a ‘Dr Bike’ session offering mechanical assistance from 11am, followed by the mass ride at 11.30am.

Various feeder rides will set off from Leith, Portobello, South Queensferry, Bruntsfield, Harrison Park, Wester Hailes, Fairmilehead, and Bridgend.

Information on these feeder rides can be found here.