Stewart Stevenson backs Edinburgh bike scheme

TRANSPORT minister Stewart Stevenson has given his backing to a city charity which works to promote cycling in the Capital.

Mr Stevenson said the Bike Station, which recycles old bikes and runs cycle training courses, was playing a vital role in encouraging more people to commute to work on two wheels.

Speaking in a debate in the Scottish Parliament, the transport minister also said he hoped more Scottish cities would follow Edinburgh's lead in signing the Charter of Brussels, which commits the city to a goal of 15 per cent of all journeys to be by bike in ten years.

He said: "We have engaged with the Bike Station to encourage Scottish Government staff to cycle to work regularly. One of our senior directors regularly appears at meetings with me straight off his bike, carrying his helmet in his hand, which is an inspiration to others."

On the subject of the Charter of Brussels, he added: "I understand that Edinburgh is the only United Kingdom city to have signed it. Let us see whether more cities in Scotland can make a similar commitment."