A combination of e-bike rentals and segregated bike lanes has boosted cycling in the Scottish capital to the point that bikes outnumbered cars during a May morning rush hour for the first time in history.
The data, analyzed by the Scottish cycling charity Cycling Scotland, identified other areas where bike traffic is growing, including multiple roads in Glasgow that recorded more bike journeys than ever before.
The Scotsman, reporting on the news, cited what it called “overwhelming popularity” in the e-bike rental program in Edinburgh as accounting for the majority of the additional bike rides.
Since its launch last September, 1.46 million trips have been made on the e-bikes
The data came from a 48-hour nationwide traffic survey in mid-May that recorded traffic of all kinds along thoroughfares all over urban Scotland. Bicycle journeys accounted for 67,000 on those two days—up 25% year-over-year.
One of the longest streets in Edinburgh, running from the city center towards its eponymous port district, Leith Walk features extensive shopping areas and vibrant character. It was here that, for the first time ever, bikes outnumbered cars between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Many, many more people are cycling in Glasgow as well, particularly on routes like Clyde Street, Garscube Road—and Victoria Road, where cycling accounted for 16% of all traffic.
“I am pleased to see Cycling Scotland’s latest figures on cycle lane use in Edinburgh and Glasgow,” said Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn in a statement.
“The record levels of use particularly on Glasgow’s South City Way and Edinburgh’s City Centre West-East Link demonstrates that the infrastructure we are providing is helping more people than ever travel by bike for everyday journeys.”
Cycling Scotland spoke with Kirsty Milton-Moir, a National Health Service health visitor whose role involves visiting families to check on babies’ development, about her experience using the new cycle lanes to get to work and appointments in Glasgow.
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“I’ve found that cycling is much quicker than driving, so that’s cut a massive proportion of time from my visits. It gives you the headspace you need and allows me time to reflect and think about how best I can support the families on my caseload,” she said.
“Seeing all the people cycling on the cycle lane is amazing. I feel so much safer on the cycle lane where I know that that area is for people on bikes, and there are no cars.”
Secretary Flynn said that Scottish authorities have an additional $280 million in various infrastructure and mobility projects sill in the works, and the early success with the sheltered cycling lanes Milton-Moir spoke of was extremely encouraging.
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