Campaigners in Edinburgh brand cycling ‘a joke’ in Scottish capital
New video released by campaign group to highlight road dangers facing cyclists in Edinburgh
Cycling is just ‘a joke’ in Edinburgh, according to a video released by campaign group ‘Critical Mass’,
The group shot the film in the Scottish capital to demonstrate the dangers facing cyclists in the city. Watching the video demonstrates widespread potholes, dangerous junctions and cycle paths that turn sharply causing chaos for two-wheeled users.
Edinburgh was recently ranked as the 54th most cycling-friendly city in the world.
According to Edinburgh News, the group also say that drivers in the capital ‘ignore what little good cycle infrastructure the city does have’. The group have previously attracted controversy after organising mass rides in the city in a bid to reclaim spaces for the city’s cyclists.
The new video has been released to coincide with the recent festival season in the city and shows a cyclist from the group navigating a series of busy roads. On several occasions the rider comments on issues affecting cyclists such as the ‘poorly designed’ cycle lanes.
Critical Mass also claims the Scottish capital only has two miles of cycle paths separate from car users and pedestrians. Campaigners from the group have also compared that stat to countries like the Netherlands where 25% of all roads are cycle friendly.
Sam Wheldon-Bayes of the group suggested that the roads in the city are ‘intimidating’ to news users.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
He said: “Every Edinburgh resident knows that the city is difficult to get around in August. Cycling should be an easy way for residents and visitors to get across the city and avoid the traffic,
“The council needs to make more protected bike lanes, connect them up better, and prioritise cyclists and pedestrians in their transport plans.”
The group's message was echoed by Duncan Dollimore of Cycling UK who argued that the UK government needs to do more to protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
“We all want to live on safe, vibrant streets, but too many people are currently put off cycling,” he said. “Politicians and decision makers need to hear the message that for the people and the planet, the bicycle really is best," he added.
Edinburgh Critical Mass are welcoming new riders to join them for a campaign ride on 27 August.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
A new partnership sees Astana aboard new bikes with increased funding for 2025
By Joe Baker Published
-
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
The RCR-F aero bike will be ridden by the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team in 2025, but will it create headlines like the RCR?
By Luke Friend Published
-
Cycling levels fall 5% in England as post-pandemic decline continues
Cycling might be up from before Covid, but only just
By Adam Becket Published
-
Team USA could bring home the rainbow jersey at the Esports World Championship this weekend
New Zwift courses, new race format, world-class competition with real-life outcomes: an Esports World Championship race preview
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
CW LIVE: Is the love affair between Geraint Thomas and Oakley no more? Ineos Grenadiers to partner with SunGod for coming season; Tadej Pogačar's shiny new Colnago; new kit for Israel-Premier Tech in 2023 and Geraint Thomas confirms Giro return
The latest cycling news, as it happens
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Buy Wout van Aert's bike; Olympian's assault charges dismissed; Zwift bans race hacker; 89-year-old wins national CX title; Williams completes Israel-Premier Tech roster; Bike lane roundabout dubbed 'ring of fire'
The latest cycling news, as it happens
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
A lot more UK cyclists did 100-mile rides in 2022 than 2021, Strava data reveals
The company's Year in Sport report shows exercise trends have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
A car free future? Polling shows half of Londoners want a city without cars
More than two thirds of people polled in London, Paris and New York favour a reduction in cars, survey shows
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Road Rage: Cars v Bikes: BBC programme presents alarming portrait in rehashed debate
The BBC's latest Panorama documentary packs a shocking punch in road safety argument
By Tom Davidson Published
-
One in three drivers think cyclists should be banned from public roads
Research performed for BBC's Panorama finds that a quarter of motorists have knowingly close-passed a cyclist
By Adam Becket Last updated