BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Labour Central Scotland MSP Mark Griffin has challenged Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, to raise the profile of cycling in Scotland (reports Scotsman.com).
Salmond has come in for criticism since his recently appointed party, the Scottish National Party, published its draft 2012-2013 budget, which cut investment in cycling projects by £15m, pushing it to the margins and equating to less than 0.8 per cent of total transport spending.
Despite the investment cull, the Scottish Government is hoping for a ten-fold increase in cycling to help combat climate change.
Griffin has asked Salmond to ride with him around Edinburgh to help encourage a rise in cycling to work. He said: “Politicians often tell other politicians to get on their bike, but this time we mean it. If we pass tough laws, we have to practice what we preach.
“So I am making a New Year’s resolution to cycle and walk to work more often and I am inviting Alex Salmond to join me on a bike ride around Edinburgh to highlight the need to cycle more.
“I know he is a busy man, so I’m happy to fit my diary around him. I am looking forward to Alex Salmond’s response.”
