September 22nd is Car Free Day in 1656 cities around the world. In Edinburgh, local cycling advocacy group SPOKES, who incidentally celebrate their 30th anniversary this month, will be delivering a petition to the city council and scottish parliament to ask for more commitment to cycling beyond 1% of the transport budget.
Here's the info from the site
"On European CarFree Day, Sept 22, please come along (on your bike) to join a Spokes delegation-ride delivering letters to the Scottish Government and to Edinburgh Council. Assemble 12.15-12.30 in Parliament Square. Event ends 13.30.
Stop Press: Senior politicians have now agreed to receive the letters at Council and at Parliament, and speak briefly, so we really need a good number of cyclists to come along. See you there!! ...
SPOKES Bulletin 101 is out and has been sent to all members - a special issue concentrating on our CarFree day challenges to the council and the government. Please help us by coming along at lunchtime on the 22nd [see Bulletin 101 and below].
The last couple of years or so have been disappointing at both Council and Scottish Government level.
Like most previous Scottish governments, the SNP government has a few new initiatives on cycling but, adding everything together, their total investment in cycling has if anything fallen slightly from the previous Lab/Lib coalition level, and remains at or below a mere 1% of their total transport budget. On Sep 22 we deliver a letter of challenge seeking a new £20m cycle projects fund - bringing cycle investment up to a fantastic, yes, 2% !!! of transport spending.
Under LibDem/SNP control, Edinburgh Council has seen no significant new cycling initiatives - despite the manifesto promise of a 'model cycle friendly city.' Instead, the last few years have seen if anything lower priority for cycling, with the council appearing beguiled by 'Streetscape' visual considerations and by the shiny new tram. On Sep 22 we deliver of letter of challenge, seeking a European-style demonstration project on the Meadows and Bruntsfield to West End corridor.
HOW YOU CAN HELP...
** Contact your MSPs explaining why more investment in cycling is important to you, and asking them to raise our challenge in their party group and with the Minister
** Contact your councillors [if you live in Edinburgh] explaining why more investment in cycling is important to you, and asking them to raise our challenge in their party group and with the Transport Convener. If you live outside Edinburgh, and this matters to you, write direct to Transport Convener [email protected].
** Come along on Monday 22 September. Meet in Parliament Square 12.15-12.30. If you hope to come, please email jackieh[at]waitrose.com in advance, and you will be sent more details nearer the time."
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