Summit calls for new safety measures to protect cyclists

FRESH calls have been made to introduce new safety measures for cyclists in the Capital.

A nationwide summit was held in the city yesterday in the wake of the death of 40-year-old father Bryan Simons, who was killed after being knocked off his bike earlier this month.

Mr Simons, who was struck by a taxi in Corstorphine Road, became the fourth cyclist to die on Edinburgh’s roads in the last year.

Following the incident, Transport Minister Keith Brown vowed to look at new protection measures for cyclists. Those outlined at yesterday’s summit included more 20mph zones in residential areas, cycle training initatives and special traffic lights that give cyclists a head start on motorists.

The city council’s pilot 20mph zone, covering 25 miles of streets in the Capital, comes into effect from tomorrow.

The scheme, which will be enforced by the police, stretches from Blackford Hill in the south to Holyrood Park and, if successful, could be extended across the city permanently.

But cycling safety campaigners said it was “an opportunity missed”.

Yesterday’s meeting brought together a range of bodies, including local authorities, the emergency services and cycling safety organisations. Lothian Green MSP Alison Johnstone, who attended the summit, urged all stakeholders to keep up the momentum and work to increase levels of cycle training and to review speed limits.

She said: “The meeting touched on all the right issues, so let’s ensure we keep up the momentum to get consensus and make some real changes.

“Edinburgh’s 20mph pilot zone comes into force this week and I hope it will provide useful evidence and impetus for other towns and cities to look at reducing speed limits in the near future.”

Council transport leader Gordon Mackenzie said: “Recent tragic accidents involving cyclists have brought the political spotlight on this issue. We must continue to improve through actions like the new 20mph zone we are introducing on Friday.”

But cycling safety groups argued after the summit that the planned new measures did not go far enough.

Kim Harding, of Pedal on Parliament, said: “Many of the most dangerous roads for cyclists in Edinburgh have been left off this 20mph zone.

“The zone seems to just cover a whole host of quiet residential streets.”

Ian Maxwell, of Lothians cycling group Spokes, said: “It’s a step in the right direction but it doesn’t cover anywhere near enough main roads. We see it as an opportunity missed.”