Pupils from primary schools in the Maxwelltown area in Dumfries were out in force for a bike ride to highlight Cycling Scotland’s national Give Everyone Cycle Space campaign.
The campaign, funded by Transport Scotland, asks people driving to give those on bikes, especially children and young people, enough space when overtaking – at least as much space as they would give a car.
The national campaign is supported by a programme of school based activities across 14 local authorities, including Dumfries & Galloway, and one Regional Transport Partnership area and includes led rides from primary to secondary schools and route planning workshops to encourage more children and young people to cycle to school and other destinations.
Cycling Scotland Chief Executive, Keith Irving, said:
“Cycling is becoming an everyday activity for people in many places across Scotland but one of the key barriers to more people cycling is concern about traffic and road behaviour. Cycling Scotland’s Give Everyone Cycle Space campaign reminds people to drive and overtake safely around people riding bikes, especially children. Together with infrastructure, promotion and Bikeability Scotland training, this campaign will help Scotland make progress towards the vision of 10% of journeys by bike by 2020.”
“Locally, we are working with councils and schools to deliver led rides and route planning to enable young people to plan their cycle journeys to school and elsewhere, especially as they make more independent journeys from Primary 5 onwards.”
Cllr Colin Smyth, Chairman of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said
“This campaign is a great opportunity to remind drivers of their responsibility to cyclists . We want to encourage people to cycle but cyclists need to feel safe when they are on our region’s roads. The children taking part should be able to lead healthy independent lives and safer roads would be a step in the right direction.”
To find out more about how much space you should give when passing someone on a bike, visit
http://www.cyclingscotland.org/our-projects/give-everyone-cycle-space
About Cycling Scotland
Cycling Scotland is the national cycle training, promotion, events and engineering organisation for Scotland. We are working to establish cycling as an acceptable, attractive and practical lifestyle option.
For more information please visit www.cyclingscotland.org
About Give Everyone Cycle Space
The Give Everyone Cycle Space campaign was developed by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland.
The national campaign is supported by local school based activity across 14 of Scotland’s local authorities. Activities include a programme of led rides, route planning workshops and a cycle to school competition. Participating local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships are: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Dundee City, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh City, Falkirk, Midlothian, Moray, Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Tactran and West Lothian.
This activity is also complemented by Bikeability Scotland cycle training – the national cycle training programme designed to give children the skills and confidence they need to cycle safely on the roads and to encourage them to carry on cycling into adulthood.
About Transport Scotland
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland, delivering the Scottish Government’s vision for transport.
Find out more at www.transportscotland.gov.uk
