Pedal power in action
Thousands of cyclists make their point
THOUSANDS of cyclists took to the streets of Scotland yesterday to demand safer roads.
Pedal On Parliament saw campaigners on the streets of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness – with an event in Glasgow due to take place today.
Backed by the families of cyclists who have died in road collisions – as well as Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy and former racing cyclist Graeme Obree – the annual event aims to boost investment and improve safety.
And families from all walks of life have thrown their weight behind its eight-point manifesto calling for a greater slice of public funding to be pumped into cycling.
Cyclist David Maltby, 28, from Hillside in Edinburgh, said the event – now in its sixth year – highlighted that “a lot of people cycle from a lot of different walks of life”.
Speaking from outside the Scottish Parliament at yesterday’s protest in Edinburgh, he told The Sunday Post: “I certainly feel that, within Edinburgh, politicians continuously talk about making it cycle-friendly, but it doesn’t often feel that way when you’re cycling.
“You go to places like Copenhagen and Amsterdam and they have a whole different vibe.
“I cycle for transport pretty much everywhere – I prefer it. It’s faster and healthier.”
Sandy Watson, 65, had travelled up from the Borders to show his support.
He said: “The Scottish Government, much as they are doing good work in many areas, are not even meeting their own targets for cycling investment.
“Edinburgh is good, but it’s nowhere near places like Denmark. It’s got a long way to go. Glasgow is even further behind.”
Elsewhere, Nicky Palmer, 68, insisted more needed to be done to protect cyclists on roads and make families feel safer.
She said: “There’s a lot of people in Edinburgh who don’t cycle as they’re scared of the traffic and roads.
“And cycling is a very obvious way of keeping people naturally fit as well. Going to the gym is boring.”
Families with young children also showed up in force. Cat Rawlinson-Watkins, 40, attended the event with her husband and two children, aged six and eight.
She said: “I cycle to work and my husband cycles to work, and we would like it to be safe for the children to cycle as well.
“Safety is a really important feature. If people are not confident, they are not going to get on their bikes.”
Police estimated more than 1000 cyclists descended on Edinburgh to show support for the campaign, with politicians of all stripes also in attendance.
Green MSP Alison Johnstone told the crowd cycling could help tackle climate change and boost health – pointing to the well-being of Dutch children as a result of cycling investment.