Letter: Get on your bike

Published on 01/05/2011 16:14

ROGER Cox (Magazine, 30 April) is right to highlight investment in cycling as an important transport issue. The list of problems solved by an increase in cycling is impressive.

The tragic death of a cyclist in Edinburgh last week is just one unfortunate outcome from our lack of investment in this area. Obesity, climate change, congestion, oil dependency and deaths by road accidents are all major issues of concern to society which a switch in transport methods will help.

Unfortunately the issue is ignored by political parties in favour of expensive projects such as trams and motorways. In the last parliamentary session, the SNP government reduced spending on cycling for several years and only increased it again at the end of the parliament to match the spending when they came into power. When I asked at an election hustings event this week for views on cycling, the best answer I received was that spending must follow demand.

The investment needed in cycling is relatively small, but the outcomes massive; I hope our next government will take the opportunity.

JONATHAN RIDDELL

Temple Park Crescent

Edinburgh