To: Ronnie Cowan and Inverclyde Council
Promote Cycling and build proper bicycle lanes
Provide adequate and save cycling lanes throughout Inverclyde.
Why is this important?
Cycling might not be the most popular means of transport in rainy Scotland but the lack of proper bicycle lanes does not help at all. Introducing The Bothy, a new cycling hub for Inverclyde to shelter from the rain was a fantastic start but the only existing bicycle lanes that are safe, are along the Esplanades in Greenock, Gourock and the Battery Park. The bicycle lane from the Esplanade to the Waterfront complex (Cinema, Inverclyde Leisure,Beacon) along Container Way is either non-existent or in very poor condition and also shared with walkers without clear marking. There are no cycling lanes around the town centres (Gourock/Greenock) at all and hardly any provisions to park your bike not even at the fitness centres. The Waterfront Leisure complex has bicycle stands but they are exposed to the rain. The Greenock Sport Centre has no bicycle stands at all. Because of the lack of bicycle lanes I do cycle on the road a lot but it has become more and more dangerous over the years and is unsuitable for younger children.
Scotland has some of the worst obesity and public health problems in Europe so the one thing local governments should encourage is for people to get out of their cars and either walk or cycle. There are plenty of campaigns on junk food pricing policies and healthy eating but the provisions to encourage and help people to get out of their cars and on their bikes are very poor. Throughout Northern Europe (Scandinavia, Holland, Germany) cycling has become a major means of transport and governments have responded by providing proper and save bicycle lanes.
Scotland has some of the worst obesity and public health problems in Europe so the one thing local governments should encourage is for people to get out of their cars and either walk or cycle. There are plenty of campaigns on junk food pricing policies and healthy eating but the provisions to encourage and help people to get out of their cars and on their bikes are very poor. Throughout Northern Europe (Scandinavia, Holland, Germany) cycling has become a major means of transport and governments have responded by providing proper and save bicycle lanes.
