Thursday September 20 Levy on car advertising called for to promote cycling message 18 September 2001 CYCLING IS KEY TO ECONOMY, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT SAYS SALLY KEEBLE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18 2001 DELEGATES GET ON THEIR BIKES TO RIDE BETWEEN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW 17 September 2001 BOYACK SHOWCASES SCOTLAND'S CYCLING ACHIEVEMENTS EMBARGO 00.01 Monday September 17 TRAINING SCHEME GEARS UP TO GET WOMEN ON BIKES September 10 2001 ARTIST GETS ON HIS BIKE TO MARK CYCLING CONFERENCE September 7 2001 ISSUED BY SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE BOYACK GEARS UP FOR VELO-CITY 2001 FRIDAY September 7 ISSUED BY VELO-CITY 2001 Royal High pupils show Minister plans to push bikes September 3 2001
GLASGOW'S KILOMETRES BETTER FOR GERMAN CYCLISTS June 27 2001 CLOCK TICKING DOWN ON DISCOUNT DEAL FOR CYCLING CONFERENCE June 12 2001. RAIL AND BUS COMPANIES RALLY ROUND TO RELIEVE TIRED LEGS April 23 2001 CYCLE LANES HELP WIN TOP AWARD April 16 2001 COMMUNITY EXPERTS SIGNING UP FOR WORLD'S BIGGEST CYCLE PLANNING CONFERENCE January 11 2001 HEALTH LEADS THE WAY IN WORLD'S BIGGEST CYCLE PLANNING CONFERENCE October 3 2000 TWO EDINBURGH SCHOOLS REACH FINAL OF COMPETITION TO MAKE CYCLING SAFER AND MORE FUN October 2 2000 TWO LANARKSHIRE SCHOOLS REACH FINAL OF COMPETITION TO MAKE CYCLING SAFER AND MORE FUN 26 September 2000 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT 26 September 2000 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND MOBILITY 26 September 2000 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE 26 September 2000 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON TOURISM AND ECONOMY 26 September 2000 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELL BEING September 8 2000 THREE GLASGOW SCHOOLS REACH FINAL OF COMPETITION TO MAKE CYCLING SAFER AND MORE FUN Monday September 4 2000 SCOTTISH SCHOOLS TOLD: 'YOU DON'T HAVE TO RE-INVENT THE WHEEL' Thursday August 17 2000. MSPs GET ON THEIR BIKE FOR SCOTLAND'S CHILDREN Friday 21 July 2000 TOP SCOTS CYCLIST COMMITS TO PROMOTING BIKE USE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN 24 May 2000 SCHOOLS SET CHALLENGE TO DREAM UP CYCLING PROJECTS 23 May 2000 PREVIEW OF THE FOUR SEATER 'FORMULA ONE' BIKE Sunday, May 14 2000 FOLLOWING TODAY'S BIKE SHED STORY IN SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY NEWSPAPER (PAGE NINE) 28 April 2000 BRITAIN'S MOST AMBITIOUS CYCLE-PLANNING CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED Sunday 20 June 1999 SCOTLAND TRIUMPH IN ESTONIA WHEN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW WORK TOGETHER Tuesday June 15 1999 SCOTS RIDE INTO ESTONIA FOR CYCLISTS' DECISION 27 April 1999 CLOSING STAGE OF JUDGING FOR EDINBURGH/GLASGOW BID TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CYCLING CONFERENCE 7 March 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday September 21 2001 Bikes a Possible Salvation for South African School Children, says Minister CHILDREN IN South Africa are having their education seriously disrupted for want of a bicycle, even a rickety old boneshaker. The South African minister of transport, Abdulah Omar, will, this afternoon, tell delegates at the world⤙s biggest cycle planning conference, taking place in Glasgow, that over half a million school pupils and students in one r egional provence alone are having to walk for at least 40 minutes to get to school or college and the exertion is making them too tired to learn by the time they reach the classroom. Of that half a million, at least half are having to walk for at least an hour, with the result that many are falling asleep at their desks. Mr Omar is joined by the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Margot Wallstrom, and Prof. David Begg, chair of the UK Commission for Integrated Transport, as the conference reaches its climax after five days, one of which involved most of the 500 delegates cycling from Edinburgh, where the conference was being initially held, to Glasgow. One solution to the travel difficulties being experienced by pupils and students living far away from their school or college is the bike, with the Afribike Project leading the way in breathing life into old, second-hand bikes - many of them donated from European countries - by setting up a network of repair workshops. "South Africa presents a mixture of both developed and developing transport challenges," said the minister. "On the one hand we have high levels of suburban car use in our bigger cities - in most middle-to-high income areas, car use accounts for over 80 per cent of the trips to work. On the other hand, walking long distances is the only means of getting to work for the great majority of rural people, and this is the case for the 20 per cent of people in our medium-sized urban areas. Many people walk, not for choice, but because they have no available and/or affordable motorised option." Mr Omar is speaking from 1600 hours, Friday September 21 2001, at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow. FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Levy on car advertising called for to promote cycling message A CALL has been made for a levy to be charged on car adverts and for the proceeds to be used to promote increased use of the bicycle. Michael Jackson, who has directed bicycle transportation, planning and engineering programmes for several local and state governmental agencies throughout the United States, is calling for a scheme similar to that levied in California where 25 cents from every packet of cigarettes sold is used to pay for anti-smoking initiatives, including anti-smoking adverts. Jackson made his call this morning as the winner of an international essay competition, held by the world' biggest cycle planning conference, Velo-city, which is taking place in Edinburgh and Glasgow this week and has attracted 500 delegates from over 40 countries. The Falco Essay Prize is a long-established regular highpoint of the 21-year old Velo-city series, which was held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, last year and is taking place in Scotland this year for the very first time. Said Jackson: "I believe that it is a win-win situation for all parties involved. The automobile industry can garner public relations value for helping to fund additional solutions to transportation problems, while the advertising industry gets additional business opportunities, and public benefits from becoming more aware of the wonderful benefits of bicycle travel." Sponsors, Falco, a Dutch company that designs and manufactures street furniture such as bus shelters and bicycle racks has been supporting the essay prize for ten years. Jackson will be awared twelve hundred pounds for his essay, which was written in response to a subject title announced at last year's Velo-city conference: "Today's young people lead much less active lives than ever before, so creating a future generation of unhealthy adults. Challenge. Olly Hatch, Velo-city series director and one of the international panel of judges that chose Jackson's essay as the winner, said: "What the judges were looking for was not just an outline of the problem, but practical solutions. We were asking the authors to set out a structure on how to help children and young people become interested in cycling and continue to be interested in cycling when they become adults. It might be a radical idea that Michael Jackson has come up with, but its execution would be relatively simple." Added Jackson: "I've discussed this concept for several years and am pleased that it is being recognized by a distinguished panel of judges as being worthy of honour, recognition, and further consideration." Velo-city 2001 has been hailed for its cutting edge agenda, which has given prominence to tourism, health and children's mobility alongside its more regular town planning and civil engineering emphasis. Jackson praised car manufacturers, Jaguar, for their donation of £150,000 to cycle network charity, Sustrans, with the aim of linking Jaguar plants directly into the National Cycle Network. Jaguar are also researching car design with the aim of reducing the severity of injuries sustained by cyclists and pedestrians involved in road accidents. For more information, contact Mike Wilson (member of Velo-city 2001 media team) on 0705 016 9016.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY ISSUED TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18 2001 FROM VELO-CITY 2001 MEDIA TEAM DELEGATES GET ON THEIR BIKES TO RIDE BETWEEN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW Delegates at the world's biggest cycle planning conference are putting into practice what they preach by getting on to their bikes and cycling between Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of an unique, joint initiative between the cities. Edinburgh and Glasgow successfully won the right to host this year's Velo-city conference ahead of Strasbourg in France and Gothenburg in Sweden partly because of their willingness to co-host and partly because they were offering delegates the chance to see at first hand some of Scotland's cycling facilities during the conference's middle day. 500 delegates from 40 countries have a choice between a 56-mile or a 40-mile (plus short rail journey) route tomorrow, Wednesday, September 19. They will be leaving the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from 0900hours. The longer trip follows the route of the newly-restored Union and Forth&Clyde canals. The shorter trip takes in a recently-built national cycle route, which finishes at Drumgelloch, near Airdrie. From there, delegates will travel by rail to the venue for the Glasgow leg of the conference, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. Tomorrow, Wednesday, there is ALSO the opportunity to photograph the weird and wonderful in bike design. Up to 40 different types of bike design will be on show at Edinburgh's Conference Square between 0900-1200hours and Glasgow's George Square between 1500-1800hours. Members of the general public are invited to try out the bikes, including recumbents, load-carrying and city bikes, in a carnival atmosphere. For more information, contact Mike Wilson on 0705 016 9016
Public Enquiries Unit: 020 7944 3000; Email: press@dtlr.gov.uk Press Notices available via DTLR website: http://www.dtlr.gov.uk BOYACK SHOWCASES SCOTLAND'S CYCLING ACHIEVEMENTS Transport Minister Sarah Boyack today welcomed the opportunity for cycling in Scotland to take its place on the world stage. Making the opening speech at the Velo-city international cycling conference in Edinburgh, Ms Boyack said pedal power was at the heart of a wide range of Scottish Executive initiatives, from the Learn to Let Go travel awareness campaign to the regeneration of Scotland's canals and towpaths for leisure use.. The Minister told delegates that partnership working with local authorities and cycling interest groups to deliver action on the ground was helping the Executive meet its tough targets to increase the number of Scots who cycle regularly. Ms Boyack said: "Thanks to Velo-city, the eyes of the cycling world and beyond are firmly focussed on Scotland this week. It's a great chance to showcase our cycling achievements and show the world what we have got to offer. "The Scottish Executive is committed to placing sustainable development at the heart of our transport and environment policies and cycling has a key role to play in this. It's not just fun and a great way to keep fit but is also an affordable and environmentally-friendly mode of transport that is available to people across Scotland. "We are working to raise the profile of cycling, promoting safe cycling for young people and ensuring that the infrastructure &endash; in terms of safer routes &endash; is in place. I firmly believe that there is a role for cycling in every area of Scotland, both rural and urban. "Cycling also has huge potential for tourism in Scotland. It's a great way to see the country's magnificent scenery and the Executive-supported National Cycle Network is making it easier to get around Scotland using off-road tracks and rural routes." NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS Over 500 international delegates are expected at Velo-city 2001 &endash; the world's largest cycle planning conference &endash; which takes place from September 17-21 in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Conference themes include sustainable transport and planning, children and mobility, environment and land use, tourism and economy and health and well being. For more information contact the Velo-city website at www.velo-city2001.org. The Scottish Executive is helping to promote cycling through its Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects. In the current financial year, £3 million has been made available to local authorities for this work. Between 2002 and 2004, a further £11.85 million is available to local authorities from the CWSS budget. The Executive's target is to double the level of cycle use between 1996 and 2002 and double it again by 2012. Research is currently being undertaken to assess progress towards the 2002 target and strategies are currently being put in place to help meet the 2012 target. The 5,000-mile National Cycle Network, developed by Sustrans and due to be completed by 2005, has been supported by works totalling £7 million from the Executive's Trunk Road Cycling Initiative, where the NCN crosses or intersects with the trunk road network.
Contact: Marion MacKay: 0131 244 2175 News Release: Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk
MEDIA RELEASE - EMBARGO 00.01 Monday September 17 TRAINING SCHEME GEARS UP TO GET WOMEN ON BIKES THE THREE times as many women than men who cannot ride a bike, often because they weren't given the opportunity to learn when they were children, now have the chance to learn how to ride a bike thanks to training geared especially for them. As Scotland prepares to host the world's biggest cycle planning conference this week, Velo-city 2001, the Scottish Cycling Development Project (SCDP) is launching a new cycle training scheme, catering for every ability, including women who have never been on a bike before to those who just need a little more confidence before taking to a busy road. Studies show that a third of women - compared to ten per cent of men - have never learned to ride a bike. To further increase confidence, women coming forward for training can be paired with a female instructor.This week, Edinburgh and Glasgow co-host Velo-city 2001, which is being attended by 500 delegates from over 40 countries. Joining an agenda that looks at designing bicycle-friendly towns and cities, the health benefits of cycling, safe routes to school and the economic potential in promoting cycle tourism, women and cycling is being heavily discussed at the conference. SCDP-run lessons are being offered in Edinburgh and Glasgow and can be arranged at a time to suit trainees. The first lesson of one and half hours costs GBP20. Lessons for men only are also available. Said Cathy Scott, SCDP Cycling Development Officer: "This scheme has already been piloted in Edinburgh and has proved very popular, especially with women. At first it can be very daunting for an adult to learn to ride. However, we have worked out a method of teaching that builds confidence and is very successful."The training - for both women and men, young and old - is being supported by both City of Glasgow and City of Edinburgh Councils. It will be launched at 10.45 am on Monday September 17 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre during Velo-city 2001. Added Erl Wilkie, director of Velo-city 2001 and Cycling Unit manager at City of Glasgow Council: "For the first time, those wishing to learn to cycle will be able to book cycling lessons - in the same way that you can book driving lessons. Lessons are on offer to both adults and secondary school-age pupils. Lessons can range from learning to ride a bike from scratch to riding in traffic." Trainees of the pilot scheme in Edinburgh have already been singing its praises. Jackie Metcalf started pedalling for the first time in May this year and four months later has just completed an 18-mile sponsored ride raising £150 for charity. She commented: "The cycle training really gave me the confidence that I could do it. I was given plenty of positive feedback, which helped spur me on." Mary Lynch took up cycling with the intention of cycling to work. "I found that being with an instructor was very reassuring. It gave me confidence in busy traffic," she said. ENDS You are invited to send a photographer and/or a reporter to the photocall atthe Velo-city 2001 conference at the EICC at 10.45am on Monday September 17. For further information contact SCDP Cycling Development Officer Cathy Scott on 0131 662 4461 or e-mail cathyscott@scottishcycling.co.uk NOTES TO EDITORS SCDP is a registered charity receiving funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, Glasgow City Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Cyclists' Union and the Cyclists' Touring Club. SCDP is a Scotland-wide project giving advice on cycling to work, green travel plans and cycle training. It has a Cycle Friendly Employers' Scheme and runs the annual Scottish charity ride, 'Pedal for Scotland' between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Visit www.scottishcycling.co.uk 90 per cent of men and 67 per cent of women know how to ride a bike. (Source: www.bikebiz.co.uk: Cycling Patterns, Benefits, Constraints and Recommendations, Sharp, I, National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, London, 1990). Velo-city 2001 is taking place between September 17 and 21 Conference themes: Sustainable transport and planning, Children and mobility, Environment and land use, Tourism and economy, Health and well being. Visit www.velo-city2001.org Main speakers include: Sarah Boyack MSP, Minister for Transport, Scottish Executive; Sally Keeble MP, Minister for Local Transport, Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions; Dr Richard Killingsworth, health adviser to US governments; Dr Harry Burns, director, Greater Glasgow Health Board; Francesca Racioppi, World Health Organisation; Margot Wallstrom, EU Environment Commissioner; T. Tibaijuka, United Nations Centre of Human Settlement; Abdulah Omar, minister of transport, Republic of South Africa; Prof David Begg, chair, Commission for Integrated Transport; Ms Isabelle Durant, President of the EU Council of Transport Ministers (she is the Belgian Minister of Mobility and Transport). Programme available? Yes. On website and in printed form (contact 0141 434 1500 for a copy)
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Velo-city 2001 Media Team Tim Dawson 0131 225 2082/07050 165653 tim@timdawsn. demon.co.uk Mike Wilson 0131 446 9265/07050 169016 mwilsport@aol. com Website |
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