Commonspace columnist Ian Dunn argues that if Scotland is to embrace cycling, Nicola Sturgeon should lead by example
ALMOST every morning I get up, leave the house and scare the breakfast out of myself.
As one of the two per cent of Glaswegians who usually cycles to work, my commute is filled with wheezes, gasps and the occasional expletive as buses and cars get a little bit too close for comfort.
I persevere because the benefits far outweigh the occasional moments of raw terror. Benefits for me, but also society. The more people who cycle to work the better a country Scotland is.
If you want to see real change, we need to lead with our feet, by putting them on pedals. The more people who cycle, the less frightening it is.
Cycling reduces pollution, it reduces congestion and helps people live happier, healthier lives. It’s that simple. If you doubt that, politicians of all parties in Scotland don’t. The Scottish government has set an ambitious target of having 10 per cent of Scots cycling to work within five years.
Across the country, councils have painted rivers of cycle lanes, and backed excellent programmes like Glasgow’s superb South West Community Cycles, who make it absurdly easy to get hold of a good quality bike and try life on two wheels.
Yet such efforts tend to slam into the wall created by generations of disgraceful urban planning in Glasgow and elsewhere that make urban cycling in Scotland disgracefully uncomfortable.
Journalist Robert Wright put it beautifully when he said: “There’s a desperate edge to some of the transport policy decisions, a feeling that the next city over might prove more car-friendly and attract a vital few investors that could make all the difference.” (Click here to read more).
Those decades of desperation have made central Glasgow an unpleasant place to walk, cycle or drive and for all our politicians recognise that Scotland would be vastly improved by mass cycling, in the face of such deep routed neglect their efforts are the equivalent of doodling in the margins.
If cycling is seen as universal rather than the preserve of the pale, male and stale lycra clad ‘enthusiasts’ it will be less intimating to walk into a bike shop.
If you want to see real change, we need to lead with our feet, by putting them on pedals. The more people who cycle, the less frightening it is. The more bikes on the roads, the better drivers will respond to them.
If cycling is seen as universal rather than the preserve of the pale, male and stale lycra clad ‘enthusiasts’ it will be less intimating to walk into a bike shop.
This is where Nicola Sturgeon has a role to play. Our first minister is currently shockingly popular for a politician. When she does something people take notice.
It was great to see her cycling through Pollock Park during the recent General Election campaign, but think of the impact if she and her ministers cycled to work the next time the next time they held a Cabinet meeting in Glasgow, Inverness in Stirling.
For many people, especially women, that would be a massive encouragement to give cycling a bash. I’m no great fan of Boris Johnson, but does anyone doubt that thousands of Londoners looked at their roly poly mayor wobbling along on a bike and thought, ‘Well, if he can do it…’.
This is where Nicola Sturgeon has a role to play. Our first minister is currently shockingly popular for a politician. When she does something people take notice.
If we wait for Scotland to develop a perfect cycling infrastructure, we will wait forever. If we get out there and cycle, the experience will improve. Cycling will always be a touch frightening. I know this because I was the only child in my class to fail my cycling proficiency test at primary school.
I still make Boris Johnson look like Sir Chris Hoy. I am living proof that cycling might be scary but it’s really not that hard.
The sooner Scotland realises that, the better a place it will be.
Picture courtesy of Capita Symonds