More affordable access to bikes and helping cyclists feel safer on the road will be the key to get more Glasgow residents on their bike, a charity has warned.

Cycling UK, whose mission is to help millions of people cycle across the country while offering impartial advice, guides, reviews and inspiration, says it is important that both children and their parents feel confident enough to cycle on the road.

It comes after Glasgow City Council recently approved its “travel behaviour strategy” which encourages people to rely less on private cars while promoting the Glasgow Transport and Active Travel plans.

The local authority is also looking to achieve its net zero carbon emissions and a minimum reduction of 30% in car kilometres travelled by 2030.

Jim Densham, Cycling UK’s campaigns and policy manager in Scotland, has praised the work of the council so far in its dedication to develop 160 miles of new cycle lanes but says it is important to ensure people have the right skills to use them.

Mr Densham said: “Some of the work that we do at Cycling UK is to help people find and afford access to a bike.

“There are also projects to help children have new bikes, with a subscription so as they grow they can get a new bike without having to fork out the cost of a new one each time.

“We know children have bike ability and training in school but we would like to see primary school children able to access bike ability to give them the skills they need to ride on the road.

“There are also adults who want to get more active, so giving them the skills to ride a bike is something that Cycling UK is also involved in.”

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-cyclists-need-feel-safe-27155325

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