National Bike Week Press Release
The Scottish Road Safety Campaign is supporting National Bike Week with an advertising campaign on bus backs. The advert, pictured above, encourages courtesy between cyclists and drivers with the strapline 'all road users are equal'. The Scottish Executive issued a press release for the launch of National Bike Week on 12th June:
SCOTLAND URGED TO CHOOSE PEDAL POWER FOR NATIONAL BIKE WEEK
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK, 12 – 20 JUNE 2004
Scots were being urged to gear up for a week of cycling celebrations as National Bike Week rolled into action on Saturday 12 June 2004.
The week of fun-filled cycling festivities across Scotland for both novices and experienced cyclists, also aims to stir up interest amongst hesitant bikers who have hidden their two-wheeled transport in the garden shed for too long.
The cycling call to action comes as latest figures reveal that around 80 per cent of bikes are never used by Scottish householders and only 2 per cent of all journeys in Scotland are made by bike.
The focus on pedal power is supported by the Scottish Executive's travel awareness campaign, Choose Another Way, which encourages people to use alternative forms of transport rather than hopping in the car for short journeys.
Choose Another Way is encouraging commuters to consider cycling to work – it can be quicker, it's healthier and less stressful. There have been a lot of new cycle routes added to Scotland's network recently - in Edinburgh there are 76 kms of off-road cycle paths and in Glasgow there are 112 kms. A third of households have one or more bicycle available to adults – but only one per cent of employed adults cycle to work.
Even children have been crying out for cycle runs. Only one per cent of pupils cycle to school every day yet in a recent survey, 45 per cent of schoolchildren say that they would prefer to cycle to school and 85 per cent of primary schools in Scotland offer cycle training.
National Bike Week offers everyone – commuters, children, those who have never cycled and those who haven't cycled for a long time – the chance to choose cycling as an alternative option to the car.
Led by Cycling Scotland, over a hundred events for cyclists at every level are being held across Scotland throughout the week, culminating with the closing bash, Cyclefest, which attracted 15,000 people last year, held in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park on Sunday 20 June.
Scotland's Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, said that Bike Week was a real opportunity for people of all levels to get their bikes out of the shed and onto the road. The Minister has even cited the four Scots who will be competing at this year's Olympic Games as aspirational figures for cycling in Scotland. He said:
"Bike Week is a great way to encourage more people to give cycling a try. More cyclists in Scotland would reduce congestion on our roads, a key aim of our efforts to persuade drivers to "Choose Another Way", and increase levels of physical fitness.
"Scotland has the potential to become a great cycling nation. We have some of the most attractive cycling routes in the world and using them is the perfect way to explore our country. Scots are the backbone of the UK Olympic cycling team and have genuine medal prospects.
"Inspired by our top cyclists and the events organised across the country during 'Bike Week', I hope more Scots will take up the practical support offered by Cycling Scotland and get on their bikes this summer. They can improve their health, reduce congestion and boost tourism."
There are a number of events taking place in local authority areas, including bike checks, training and cycling safety lessons. Local cycling groups in conjunction with Cycling Scotland, have been organising a wide-range of events, including pedalling picnics, bikeathons and guided cycle rides. Cycling Scotland has an extensive support network across Scotland to help people find out more about cycling and its benefits, training and cycle routes.
Erl B Wilkie, Chief Executive, Cycling Scotland:
"Bike Week has been a major event in the annual cycling calendar since 1923. It has been an important catalyst for encouraging people of all ages and abilities to consider cycling for some of their regular journeys, for leisure or as a part of a healthy lifestyle. In 2004 there are over a hundred Bike Week events being held throughout Scotland.
"This year the relevance of Bike Week is more poignant than ever, with new statistics on the poor health of Scots, particularly obesity due to a lack of physical activity. I would therefore call on the people of Scotland to use a local Bike Week event to see how a return to cycling could be the way for you to enjoy a happier, healthier lifestyle."
Log on to www.cyclingscotland.org to find out more about what events are happening near you throughout National Bike Week.
For a fun day out for all the family, bike down to Cyclefest at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow on Sunday 20 June from 10.30am until 4pm. Displays from the Diamondback Mountain Bike Team, Dr Bike health checks, guided Glasgow discovery rides and beginner and off-road skills training will all be available at the day-long festival.