As a keen cyclist I dusted off my bike from the winter months and joined friends and colleagues for the 5th annual Pedal on Parliament event in Edinburgh. •

This event is calling for safer cycling and walking on Scotland’s roads brought record numbers from all across Scotland with feeder rides coming from Glasgow, Peebles, and Kirkcaldy.•

Cycling not only improves the health of the individual, it cuts down on congestion and•pollution and provides returns on investment.

Here’s a•brief•outline of Pedal on Parliament’s manifesto:

1. Proper funding for cycling (5% of the transport budget & 10% for active travel overall).
2. Design cycling into Scotland’s roads.
3. Slower speeds where people live, work and play
4. Integrate cycling into local transport strategies
5. Improved road traffic law and enforcement
6. Reduce the risk of HGVs to cyclists and pedestrians
7. A strategic and joined-up programme of road user training
8. Improved statistics supporting decision-making and policy

I am committed to working with others to make cycling in Scotland safer for all ages and abilities, and I and my Scottish Labour colleagues strongly support the goals of the Pedal on Parliament team and will work with them to help achieve their aims.•