A city traffic survey coordinated by cycle campaign groups has shown that the number of people commuting to work by bike has increased throughout the city.
Volunteers monitored traffic on Lothian Road and Forest Road, and discovered that cyclists make up an average of 15% of all traffic during busy commuter times. For the first time in the six years that the survey has been undertaken, cycle commuters travelling into the city made up a fifth of all traffic.
The survey also found that the total number of cars fell to 1849, the lowest level ever counted, with buses and other commercial vehicles remaining at a fairly constant level, at just over 700.
Commenting on the results of the SPOKES survey, campaigner Dave De Feu said: “Things are going well in Edinburgh. There’s a perception that the council is doing things for cycling, and cyclists.”
However, he said he was very worried about whether the growth in numbers of cyclists would continue given that the Scottish Government is proposing to cut spending on cycling infrastructure and boost spending on trunk roads.
He said: “We’re very worried about the Edinburgh position. We think it is shocking that the Scottish Government is cutting the already miniscule amount of money it spends on active travel, even though it is increasing the overall transport budget by £100million.”
See how the numbers of cycle commuters have changed over the last six years.
A parallel survey conducted on the same day by another Edinburgh based cycling organisation, The Bike Station, monitored the number of cyclists using the North Edinburgh cycle path.
Their survey results also showed an increase. In fact, the numbers of cyclists using the path network for commuting had increased by more than a third in some directions.
Mark Sydenham, Bike Station Manager, put the huge increase in cycle commuting in North Edinburgh down to the impact of a number of cycle promotion projects in the area.
He said: “All the results from around the city have shown a consistent mid to low teens increase in cycle commuters. At the five-ways junction on the North Edinburgh cycle path we saw a 26% increase in people heading towards the city, and a 36% increase in people heading towards Leith and Victoria Quay.
“The main difference has been the extra promotion that has been undertaken in the area.
“The Bike Station has done a lot of work in the area through our Innertube map project, but there have also been other organisations promoting cycling in the area including Greener Leith and large employers like Scottish Gas.
“It just goes to show that a professional approach to marketing and promotion of these routes can make a big difference.”
The latest survey results follow a workplace survey by Cycling Scotland that suggested 1 in 20 workers commute by bike to work in Edinburgh.
Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Convener, said: “This is excellent news. It demonstrates that a strong commitment to promoting sustainable transport in Edinburgh works.
“Looking ahead there are concerns over cuts to Scottish Government funding for cycling and walking but these impressive new figures should be a timely reminder that sustained investment in this area brings results.”
Councillor MacKenzie will be speaking at a public meeting on cycling in Edinburgh, on Thursday the 17th of November at 7.30pm in the Augustine United Church on George IV bridge.
For original article please click STV
