Transport Minister to hold road safety talks after cyclist death

KEITH Brown, the Transport Minister, is to hold road safety talks following the death of a cyclist in Edinburgh.

The minister said the Scottish Government is looking “closely” at the issue, two days after Bryan Simons was killed in a rush-hour crash in Edinburgh.

The 40-year-old died in a collision with a taxi cab on Corstorphine Road.

Mr Brown will attend the next meeting of the Road Safety Operational Partnership Group on March 21.

He said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those whose lives have been lost in Edinburgh in recent months. For my part, I will continue to work to make sure that tragedies like these become a thing of the past.

“The rates of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads continue to fall but concern remains about vulnerable road users such as cyclists and we are looking closely at this issue.

“Cycling is a healthy, green, cost-effective way to travel and it is vital that we ensure those choosing to do so are protected.”

He praised campaigns including Give Me Cycle Space, which encourages drivers to give cyclists more room on the road.

The Scottish Government is committed to a 30% reduction in people killed on Scotland’s roads by 2015, and a 40% cut by 2020.