Cut in bike budget puts spoke in SNP's green credentials

DOUBTS have been raised over the SNP's commitment to tackling climate change after the Scottish Government was condemned for slashing its cycling budget.

A report by Spokes, an Edinburgh pressure group aimed at promoting cycling, has pointed out that the budget for the initiative has been slashed in all three years of the SNP government.

The report by Spokes highlights a 5 million reduction in money over the Past three years for Sustrans, which tries to create cycle routes and lanes.

Spokes also accuses the SNP of taking 600,000 away from Cycling Scotland, which promotes the use of bikes north of the Border.

Labour Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz, a keen cyclist, said: "Hundreds of millions extra is being spent on infrastructure projects, particularly in areas which are politically important for the SNP.

"Yet a relatively small sum of money for cycling, which has benefits for the environment, health, tourism, cannot be found."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are investing in cycling – over half of our Sustainable and Active Travel budget goes on cycling and in 2010-11, Sustrans will receive over 5m, an increase of 26 per cent.

"The first cycling action plan for Scotland will be published in April, which will take us towards getting 10 per cent of all journeys by bike by 2020 – an ambitious but wholly achievable target."