Scottish cyclists are planning a “Pedal on Parliament” this April, joining the recent wave of European advocacy groups calling for safer conditions for all cyclists

 “Scotland has a long history of popular cycling which has been all but forgotten”, says Chris Oliver, Chairman of Cycling Touring Club (CTC) Scotland

The “Pedal on Parliament" Group are planning a ride to the parliament on the 28^th of April, where they will present politicians with a manifesto which proposes to take Scotland beyond its target of 10% of journeys to be taken by bike, by 2020

“We call on everyone, young and old, fast and slow, whether they already cycle or just wish they could to from right across Scotland to come along to Pedal on Parliament to put pressure on Scotland’s politicians to sign up to the manifesto and show the rest of the UK that cycling doesn’t just belong on continental Europe, it also belongs to the country where it first began,” says Oliver. 

Credit: Edinburgh Cycle Chic

In Scotland the modal share of bike related journeys was only 2.3% in 2010, with risk, or the perception of risk as the main reason for the low number of cyclists. In 2012 there have already been 16 cyclists killed in the UK, 2 of which were in Edinburgh despite the relatively low number of cyclists.

The campaigners also note that if cycling levels rise to 13%, the benefit to Scotland would be between £1-2bn per annum.

Some European Context

2012 has been an undeniably positive for cycling campaigners in the United Kingdom. The Time’s Cities Fit for Cycling Campaign has led to a parliamentary debate and received support from UK Prime minister David Cameron. The campaign has also spread to Italy.

Last year saw the European Parliament adopt a resolution on 30 km/h zones in residential areas in an effort to halve the EU's 31,000 annual road fatalities. 

With all these safety campaign around, ECF Policy Officer, Ceri Woolsgrove notes: “We shouldn’t forget that cycling isn’t as dangerous as media sometimes portrays it to be. Statistically speaking the risks associated with cycling are similar to walking.”

EU wide there are 6.6 fatalities for pedestrians compared to 4.6 for cyclists per 100 million kilometres travelled.

Woolsgrove continues:  "In the EU, that’s 21,739,130 kilometres cycled before arriving at a first fatality. In countries with high bike use cycling is even safer.”

About the Author

Founded in 1983, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is the umbrella federation of the national cyclists’ associations in Europe, reinforced by similar organisations from other parts of the world. ECF seeks to change attitudes, policies and budget allocations at the European level. ECF stimulates and organises the exchange of information and expertise on bicycle related transport policies and strategies as well as the work of the cyclists’ movement.