Scottish parliament filmed as it hears how to boost cyclist numbers

The Scottish Parliament’s Transport Committee yesterday heard that the perception of danger on the roads was the single biggest barrier to getting more people to take up cycling in the country.

Peter Zanzottera, senior consultant at transport consultancy Steer Davies Gleave, which had carried out the research on behalf of the Scottish government, which wants to increase cycling levels by 10% by 2020, said: “It’s clear that the main reason people give for not cycling is road danger.”

He added that according to the research, what people most wanted to see were “segregated cycle lanes to make them feel safe.”

Mr Zanzottera, who also runs England’s Bikeability scheme, was quizzed on his research and recommendations by members of the committee, who also heard evidence from representatives from Scottish Cycling, CTC Scotland, Cycling Scotland and Lothian cycle campaign group, Spokes.

BBC Democracy Live captured the full proceedings on camera, which you can watch below.

As reported yesterday on road.cc, Spokes and CTC Scotland have also urged MSPs to introduce a 20mph speed limit across the country.