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A group of Scottish cyclists have created ‘Pedal on Parliament’, a social media led campaign to lobby the Scottish Parliament to do more to make conditions safe for cyclists.
The ride takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday 28th April with riders to deliver a manifesto to the Scottish Parliament. Cyclists will gather at the Meadows in Edinburgh from 1pm for a 2pm start on a short journey through the streets of Edinburgh towards the Scottish Parliament.
Kim Harding, one of event organisers, said:
"This is a light-hearted ride with a serious purpose. Two cyclists have been killed in Edinburgh since the start of the year, highlighting the need to make cycling – and any form of active travel – safer for all.
"Making Scotland a place where everyone feels safe to get on two wheels could transform our cities and villages and the lives of the people who live in them. Pedal on Parliament aims to demonstrate to our national and local government that the time has come to make cycling and other forms of active travel safe and enjoyable for everyone."
Pedal on Parliament has created eight pledges for politicians to sign up to:
1) Proper funding for cycling.
2) Design cycling into Scotland’s roads.
3) Safer speeds where people live, work and play
4) Integrate cycling into local transport strategies
5) Sensible road traffic law and enforcement
6) Reduce the risk of HGVs to cyclists and pedestrians
7) A strategic and joined-up programme of road user training
8) Solid research on cycling to support policy-making
The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) set the target of having 10% of all journeys in Scotland made by bike by 2020.
Harding said: "We support much of what is in the CAPS but it has been seriously under-funded and even that funding is under threat. On its own the recommendations in CAPS are not enough to raise the share of cycling to the levels envisaged. The history of UK cycling policy is full of cycling strategies which have been quietly shelved when it becomes clear that their targets are not going to be met. We hope the Scottish government will not join the Westminster in this hall of shame."
David Brennan, the originator of Pedal on Parliament, said: “With Westminster now engaging in discussions about the future of cycling and active travel, and the recent cyclist deaths in Scotland, I realised that for real change to occur in Scotland it is our politicians in Holyrood and our local councils that we need to engage with. Thus the idea for Pedal on Parliament was born.
"When I publicised my idea for the event online I had a huge positive response from other cyclists, so with the help of a dedicated group of cycle campaigners we are planning for a day of protest on the 28th of April."
