Perth cyclists demand increased safety on city streets.

New study reveals Perth bike riders’ safety must be improved by adding new infastructure

Cyclists are demanding increased safety on the streets of Perth, a new study has revealed.

More than two-thirds of locals quizzed by transport charity Sustrans Scotland say they support the installation of protected roadside cycle lanes, even if it means less space for other traffic.

The Bike Life survey is the most comprehensive assessment of cycling ever carried out in the Fair City.

The results, revealed at a ceremony in Perth Theatre yesterday morning, could be used to secure extra funding for improvement schemes in the new year.

There have been growing calls for safer cycling since a fatal accident in Bridgend in July.

Run by Sustrans, in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, the study reveals cycling is seen as the least safe way of travelling around the city, with 67% of respondents agreeing safety needs to be improved.

A representative sample of more than 1,100 residents were interviewed about their cycling routine.

Despite concerns about safety, 66% of those questioned said more people riding bikes would make Perth a better place to live and work, while almost three-quarters said they would like to see more money spent on cycling.

At present, only 1% of Perth residents cycle to and from work.

However, Bike Life has calculated 824,000 trips were made by bike in Perth in the past year, equating to a £3.9 million boost to the city’s economy, based on vehicle costs, health, travel, time and congestion.

This also means that 209 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved annually, equivalent to the carbon footprint of 27 people.

Sustrans Scotland national director John Lauder said: “The message from the Perth Bike Life survey is absolutely clear – residents want to see more people choosing to travel by bike.

“Perth and Kinross Council can rest assured that they have the backing of the public to build on the work they have already started to enable people to choose healthy, clean and cheap journeys by getting on a bike.”

Conservative Angus Forbes, environment and infrastructure convener, said: “The council is looking at ways to develop more opportunities for cycling in Perth city centre, to improve access by all forms of transport and our partnership with Sustrans is informing how that moves forward into the future.”

Keen cyclist and Bike Life Perth champion, Lib Dem councillor Lewis Simpson added: “I am delighted that there has been such a positive response from Perth residents in the Bike Life survey, with an appetite to see the options for getting around by bike in Perth increased.”

Similar surveys were carried out by Sustrans in Glasgow and Stirling.

Transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “These new reports demonstrate the appetite that exists for more high quality cycling infrastructure across Scotland.

“Equally, they demonstrate the optimism that people have about the role that cycling can play in improving the quality of life in our towns and cities.”

They have already started to enable people to choose healthy, clean and cheap journeys by getting on a bike