Highland capital is bike-to-work hotspot
INVERNESS is Scotland’s top cycle city with the highest percentage of residents of any city in Scotland getting on their bikes to go to work.
The figures have been revealed by Hitrans, the regional transport partnership, and local councils in the Highlands and Islands to mark Bike Week 2015, which runs until Sunday.
Data analysed from the Census shows that 5.6 per cent of journeys made to work by Inverness workers are by bike, the highest of the seven Scottish cities.
Examining the statistics more closely shows that four of the top 10 council wards for cycling to work in Scotland are within the Highland capital.
At the same time, Hitrans has reported that 22,500 people have used the Millburn Road Cycle Route in Inverness since a counter was installed at the start of this year, averaging 250 per day during drier weather.
This is expected to increase following the public opening of the Golden Bridge, which crosses the A9 to the new Inverness Campus.
Ranald Roberston, director of Hitrans, said “The data is very encouraging indeed, and shows more people are making smarter travel choices.”
He said it could only be good news by benefitting people’s health, reducing traffic congestion and carbon footprints.
Fiona McInally, active travel officer with Hitrans, cycles to work whenever she can. She is developing active travel maps and hopes to launch the first maps during Bike Week for Inverness and Fort William.