The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

04th April 2017

Every April, the streets of Edinburgh are filled with thousands of bikes of all shapes and sizes, as the annual Pedal on Parliament takes place. Organiser Henry Whaley tells us more

The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

04th April 2017

The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

04th April 2017

‘Pedal On Parliament was started in 2012 by a group of Scottish cyclists on Twitter who were fed up that the Scottish government was cutting investment in cycling even though it had a target of 10% of journeys to be by bike by 2020. Originally meant to be a one-off flash ride, even the organisers were surprised when a couple of thousand people turned up to the first one. Since then, there has been a PoP every year and it is becoming part of the Scottish cycling calendar. This year it will be just before the Scottish elections and it will be particularly important to keep cycling high on the political agenda. The pedal bicycle was first invented in Scotland – it seems a shame that we’ve forgotten that history and seem to be intent on becoming entirely car dependent.

I’m a keen cyclist – I like the freedom it gives me to go where I like at a pace I want, without having to worry about parking or being stuck in traffic. When our first child came along, I got myself a child seat so that I could do the nursery drop off as it was the easiest way for us. These days we have a tag-a-long bike trailer on the back of a tandem. We get to see the changing of the seasons, from the changes of the flowers emerging and some great sunrises to trying to spot the International Space Station during winter.

The main goal of PoP is to create the conditions that will encourage everyone to cycle – young and old, fit or not so fit. Most people in Scotland would actually like to cycle but they are put off by fear of traffic and having to cycle on busy roads. We believe that with more investment in cycling, better-designed cycling infrastructure (the sort of thing they have in Denmark and the Netherlands) and safer roads, people will feel able to use their bikes to get about, and everyone will benefit.

The main thing we’ve achieved so far is more funding for cycling and walking – after the first PoP, the Scottish government reversed its planned cuts and since then we’ve seen spending rise, with record amounts actually announced by the minister at last year’s Pedal on Parliament.We’re also seeing local authorities having the courage to take space away from cars to create cycle tracks - they’ve realised that there is political support out there for making space for cycling

The actual day is a fantastic family event. My kids love the chance to ride through the city centre with 3000 other cyclists, dinging their bells and high-fiving onlookers. The pace is slow and nobody gets left behind – we have many children doing it on balance bikes – it is downhill. We try and bring the families to the front so the children don’t get bored waiting to set off - once at the Parliament they can run around although after the first one we’ve been discouraged from too much paddling in the fountains. The main thing is to show up - Edinburgh, Aberdeen & Inverness 22nd April and Glasgow 23rd April pedalonparliament.org

SADDLE UP

More massed transport rides to enjoy with your family

Sky Ride Taking place at fifteen towns and cities across the country, Sky Rides are big, fun, family-friendly events that take over the streets at dates running from May–September, so cyclists of all ages can enjoy a day of riding a traffic-free, sight-filled route. goskyride.com

Ride London The streets of London are closed to cars and filled with families on wheels at this July event. Cycle part or all of the route, which takes in some of the city’s most famous sites and has a real carnival atmosphere. prudentialridelondon.co.uk

Bike Friday Manchester Friends of the Earth’s monthly pedal around the streets of Manchester. Pick a route in, take a leisurely cycle, and end up drinking coffee and eating cakes at Eastern Bloc Records. bikefriday.org

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