The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘More people out cycling is good for health and the environment’
Cycling in Scotland has increased by nearly 50% in the last year amid coronavirus restrictions, according to new figures.
Between March and August there were 43% more cycling journeys recorded compared with the same sixmonth period in 2019, according to Cycling Scotland.
Figures reviewed from automatic cycle counters also suggest there was a 33% rise in the number of people on bikes in August against the same month last year.
That increase follows rises of 68% in April, 77% in May, 63% in June and 44% in July.
Cycling Scotland chief executive Keith Irving welcomed the latest figures.
He said: “In the past six months, we’ve all seen our lives change.
“One of the few positive changes is that more people have returned to cycling or started to cycle.
“As we move into winter, the public health evidence clearly suggests we should try to be active and outside as much as possible.”
Transport secretar y Michael Matheson said: “We should all be pleased to see a higher rate of cycling over the last six months – and we know the reasons why this has occurred.
“Having seen the success of initiatives like the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, the task now is to lock-in the changes in travel behaviour we’ve seen recently.
“This is why we have committed to invest more than £500 million in active travel over the next five years.”
He added: “By improving our offer for permanent infrastructure at the same time, it will help our local authorities make some of the temporary changes permanent where appropriate.”