Scotland

A report by an Edinburgh-based cycling group has condemned the Scots government for slashing its cycling budget.

Spokes says that the SNP has cut £5 million of funding over the past three years for Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity that promotes cycling, walking and other green transport.

The Scottish Government has launched a major initiative to encourage the country’s 5 million inhabitants to lead healthier, more active lifestyles. Called ‘Active Nation’, the campaign seeks to encourage Scots to draw inspiration from the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which are being hosted in Glasgow, to motivate them “to increase their physical activity and live longer healthier lives.”

The 90-year-old wife of the former Governor of the Bank of Scotland was told by a court she can continue driving, having mown down a cyclist in Edinburgh.

Lady Suzanne Risk smashed into 40-year-old Robert Benn after she failed to see him at a junction.

The victim, who had been wearing high-visibility clothing, was taken to hospital and treated for internal bleeding.

Lady Risk appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court with her 88 year-old husband, Sir Thomas, who retired as the head of BOS in 1991.

Cuts to public services might be swingeing, but they will also keep a few of us fit – at least in the Highlands of Scotland.

Councillors there have been asked to consider cycling and sharing lifts to meetings to save money on expenses. The Highland Council, based in Inverness, needs to shed £50,000 from its members' budget and a raft of measures are being considered.

In addition to getting to meetings under their own steam, councillors may be asked to make greater use of video conferencing and webcasts to reduce the need for travel.

This image was uploaded with the post Highland councillors told to get on their bikes to save money.

Hospitals and universities across Scotland are to benefit from funding to improve cycle parking facilities.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has allocated £208,000 of Scottish Government funding to hospitals, universities and colleges. Applications were received for improvements such as covered cycle storage and bike lockers.

Police inquiries which followed the death of Scots champion cyclist Jason McIntyre were 'half-hearted' and 'raised more questions than they answered,' according to his widow.

Caroline McIntyre was speaking to the Scotsman newspaper ahead of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of her husband, who was hit by a van near Fort William just over two years ago. He had been training in the hope of making Britain's team for the Beijing Olyympics that year.

The first major event to be held at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow – currently under construction for the 2014 Commonwealth Games – has been announced.

EventScotland said the velodrome will host the Junior Track World Championships in 2013 following a successful bid to the UCI. Approximately 220 riders from 60 countries are expected for the event.

An fatal accident inquiry into the death of a top Scots cyclist who was killed two years ago near Fort William is to be held in March.

Jason McIntyre's death at the age of 34 marked the end of a very promising career that included three British time trial titles and 13 Scottish titles. At the time of his death he was training in the hope of inclusion for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

On January 15, 2008, he was involved in a collision with a Highland Council truck on the A82 Glasgow-Inverness road near the council depot at Carrs Corner.