I've been thinking about what might be an effective way of highlighting the appalling recent deaths of cyclists on Scotland's roads.
Ghost bikes? Well some people (councils) might not like them and either vandalise or remove them. They're also more effective in an urban setting as for impact they require people walking past to see, stop and read the note on them.
Flash rides? Again most effective in an urban setting and I think anyone involved with PoP knows just how much effort and logistics go into getting 1,000s of people out on the road at short notice. London has a population almost 20 times Edinburgh, higher numbers of cyclists and well organised and funded charities that we just can't hope to match. And this isn't just about Edinburgh.
There used to be a tradition of delivering things to Westminster to make a point. When they closed the Waverley Line, the campaigners sent a coffin down to the Transport Minister in the last train south.
Which got me thinking, why don't a bunch of like-minded people (there doesn't need to be many) deliver something impactful to Keith Brown at either the Scottish Parliament or his offices at St. Andrew House.
I thought a tombstone might be effective. Maybe one huge memorial tombstone (in style of a war memorial), listing the deceased. Build it out of chickenwire and papier mache (it will dry quick in this weather!). Affix it to a trailer. Ride it through town. Photograph it. Deliver it. When it is ultimately refused (as I'm sure it will be), film and photograph it again, then take it someplace public and set it up as a tasteful, impactful memorial.
I'm happy to cough up for chicken wire and am keen at the old craft and playtime. I'm sure there are a number of junior CCE progeny who might be keen to help out - and it would be immense propaganda value to tweet and blog about children helping to create the thing.
I hereby throw this idea open to the panel for thoughts, feedback, comments and suggestions?
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