The Press Release
"
This weekend, thousands or people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life are going to come together in Edinburgh, and cycle or march on Parliament to let Scottish politicians know that cycling and walking are hugely important for Scotland.
As with last year, families and children will be leading the ride, but so too will cyclists using specially adapted disability bikes from Free Wheel North, emphasising that cycling is - or should be - for everyone. Organiser David Brennan will be riding an emotionally significant bike - it was being ridden by Andrew McNicoll when he was killed on the roads in Edinburgh just before the first Pedal on Parliament, and donated by his family, who wanted it to be at POP 'for him'. This year, POP has also gone local as there will be a simultaneous event in Aberdeen, Pedal on Marsichal.
In a general election campaign that has been more than usually stage managed, Pedal on Parliament will bring thousands of ordinary people out to make their voices heard - and talk directly to the politicians themselves. The Scottish Transport Minister, Derek MacKay, will be attending alongside 20 other politicians from all levels of government, all of whom want to hear what those Pedalling on Parliament have to say. It should see the election campaign come alive after the stale Westminster debates, and show that cycling can be beneficial to the entire nation - regardless of who gets into coalition with whom after May 7th.
Businessman Alex Robertson, one of the Pedal on Parliament organisers said, "London is starting to grasp the benefits of cycling with huge interventions such as cycle superhighways and bike rental schemes. They know that there is a long way to go but are actively working at it. The rest of the UK needs to follow suit, and we want Scotland to be at the forefront of this revolution. This is a revolution that will make our streets safer, quieter, nicer places to live. It's a revolution that will save lives, not just directly by increasing road safety, but indirectly by limiting pressure on the NHS, and getting people out and about and active."
Fellow organiser Denise Marshall, who will be leading the 'Pedestrians on Parliament' contingent this year, said, "Pedal on Parliament is not about making roads safer just for keen cyclists. It's about helping our children get to school safely, under their own steam. It's about a healthier, wealthier Scotland. But, perhaps most importantly, it's about telling the politicians what we want and when we want it— and the time is now!"
Ends
Notes to Editors
Free-to-use images from the day will be available via the press flickr pool https://www.flickr.com/groups/pop2015press - please credit individual photographers when using the images.
"
posts
