Virtuous cycle

Jane Devine (Perspective, 17 December) argues for the introduction of a scheme in Edinburgh that would be similar to Boris Bikes in London. Well, if our city leaders had had the vision, such a scheme could have been up and running nearly 20 years ago.

In October 1993, Lothian Regional Council’s transportation committee agreed to a Conservative motion asking for a report on the feasibility of a bicycle hire scheme being set up in the centre of Edinburgh.

However, the then Labour leader of the council spoke against it for ideological 
reasons, so the motion was buried and nothing was ever done.

Conservative progressive thinking in Edinburgh was stymied as usual by Labour ideology, and Labour stopped Edinburgh becoming a world leader in promoting cycling.

Ian Stuart

Dingwall