Finnie urges investment in cycling infrastructure as figures show rise in road deaths
John Finnie MSP, Transport spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (14 June) urged investment in cycling infrastructure in light of figures showing a rise in road deaths, including a rise in cycling fatalities.
In 2016 there were 191 fatalities, fourteen per cent more than in 2015, and 8 cycling fatalities, three more than in 2015.
John Finnie MSP said:
"Any increase in deaths on our roads is a cause for concern, and Scottish Ministers must act to make our roads safer. There's certainly an opportunity to create safer streets in built-up areas with my colleague Mark Ruskell's bill which aims to reduce the default urban speed limit from 30 to 20 mph.
"The increase in cyclists being killed underlines the need for serious investment in cycling infrastructure. More and more people are attracted to the benefits of cycling for health, financial and environmental reasons, so the government really needs to step up and deliver the safe cycle routes and junctions that people deserve. Continuing to spend less than two per cent of the transport budget on walking and cycling is simply not good enough."
Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2016 (Transport Scotland)