Female cyclist dies in crash with car in Highlands

A FEMALE cyclist has been killed following a collision with a car in the Highlands – the third to die on Scotland’s roads in the past week.

Officers are investigating the cause of the crash. Picture: TSPL

The cyclist, who has still to be named, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Glen Urquhart on the A831 Drumnadrochit to Milton road.

The news comes as two “ghost bikes” were placed outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday by safety campaigners calling on the Scottish Government to invest more in protecting cyclists on the roads.

The bikes were painted white to represent the deaths of two cyclists last week, 79-year-old Douglas Brown, who died after an accident near Kirkliston, and 14-year-old Connor Shields, who was knocked down on the A975 near Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

So far this year, a total of nine riders have been killed on Scotland’s roads.

A plaque with the number of cyclists killed in Scotland since 2009 was also put up to underline safety concerns. The latest death brings the total to 37.

The idea of ghost bikes – when a white bike is set up as a roadside memorial in a place where a cyclist has been killed – began in the US more than a decade ago.

Ghost bike organiser Andy Arthur said: “It is the political leadership in Holyrood who have the power and the budgets to do something about the safety of cycling, yet they seem to lack political will.

“By leaving the memorial in full view of parliament, we hope it will stir some of our elected representatives to action, or else shame them for their inaction.”

The Scottish Government plans to unveil details of a new £424,000 road safety campaign next week.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of those who have tragically died in recent days.

“In terms of funding, an average of £3.80 per head is currently spent on cycling in Scotland – more than double the amount being spent in England outside of London. Promoting cycling needs to be a partnership endeavour and we are working across ministerial portfolios to identify opportunities to enhance funding where possible.

“We are currently investing almost £58 million on cycling infrastructure, training and road safety projects through Cycling Scotland, Sustrans and local authorities over this spending review. Funding of £20m goes directly to local authorities for cycling, walking and Safer Streets projects.”

He added: “Next week, we will unveil further details of the ‘Mutual Respect’ road safety campaign which has been developed with input from key safety partners and is being backed by funding of £424,000 from the Scottish Government to help change behaviour on our roads.”

The most recent accident happened shortly before 9am yesterday. The busy tourist route, near Loch Ness, was closed as traffic collision investigators examined the scene of the crash.

A spokesman for the Northern Division of Police Scotland said the collision involving a car and a bicycle had happened on the A831 at 8.41am.

He said: “Sadly, the female cyclist died at the scene as a result of her injuries. Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

The car driver was uninjured.