MSP joins bike ride to COP26 Cyclists will leave from Stirling city centre
An intrepid group of cycling climate heroes will be setting off from Stirling tomorrow (Saturday) to take an important message to the world’s politicians - that bikes can fight climate change.
Various rides will join together over the course of the morning including those from Dundee, Invergowrie, Perth, Alloa, and Kinross.
The cyclists’ destination is Glasgow, where an international conference is discussing the climate emergency. Once there, the pedal-powered crew will be joining cyclists from all across Scotland as part of a mass mobilisation in the city on that day.
Organised by several locals, the ‘feeder’ rides are part of the national ‘Pedal on COP’ initiative by grassroots cycle campaign Pedal on Parliament. Rides have been organised by individuals and groups from across Scotland to reach Glasgow in time for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.
Marching under the banner ‘this machine fights climate change’, the cyclists will join tens of thousands of others to march through the city centre and rally in Glasgow Green. The march, organised by the COP26 Coalition, is bringing together groups
from indigenous groups to youth climate strikers to make the case for global climate justice as world leaders wrangle over cuts to emissions at the UN COP26 conference.
Organiser of the Alloa ride, Julia Loecherbach, said, “We want to send a signal to the world and to decision makers at COP26 that we already have a very powerful tool to help solve the climate emergency in the form of the humble bicycle. Enabling more people to make short journeys by bike instead of by car is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. This requires investment in safe and joined-up infrastructure.”
Mark Ruskell, regional Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife plans to join the ride from Stirling. He said: “I’m looking forward to joining activists from Stirling, Alloa and across the country in pedalling on COP26.
“The climate emergency is already having devastating effects across the world, and without radical change the situation will only get worse. We urgently need to decarbonise transport, one of the largest sources of emissions and improved cycling infrastructure is a simple and effective part of the solution.
“Cycling and walking is cheap, efficient, healthy and clean but we need to invest to make streets as accessible as possible. Lower speed limits and cycle routes segregated from traffic will help make it an obvious everyday choice.
“Councils also need more ambitious plans for new routes such as the Kings Highway between Balloch and Stirling. The funding is there from the Scottish Government if they choose to act now.
“The clock is ticking on the climate emergency, but there’s still time and that’s why thousands have come to Glasgow to demand the urgent action we need.”
The group are hoping that people will come to see them off on Saturday morning and even ride a little bit along the way with them. They will bring their climate message to the communities they pass through, including Bonnybridge and Cumbernauld, and they encourage anyone who sees them on the road to give them a wave and some encouragement as they pass.
To find the route the group are taking see www.mapmyride.com and follow the links.
I’m looking forward to joining activists from Stirling, Alloa and across the country