Dundee City of Cycling?

In the last fortnight, three events have made me think about the possibility of our city being declared:

Dundee City of Cycling.

1. Firstly, on Tuesday 30 October there was a Civic Reception for the folk who had raised money for charity while cycling the roads and paths round Dundee in the Annual Dundee Cyclathon back in early September;
2. The Proposed Dundee Local Development Plan (October 2012) was issued for consultation and
3. Bradley Wiggins was hospitalised after being knocked off his bike while out on a training ride near his home town of Chorley.

On Sunday 9 September, I took part in the annual Cyclathon organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club. I enjoyed the experience of cycling round the 26 miles of Dundee's Green Circular route and raising over £320 for my nominated charity Tushinde Children's Trust. Looking back, the ride was particularly enjoyable because a good proportion of the route is off road and of course I was cycling in the company of many others with the added reassurance of members of the Claverhouse Rotary Club acting as marshals at points where we crossed the road. I think these are important observations for our planners who are working to promote more sustainable transportation.

Survey's about Cycling identify that most households have a bike or two in the garage but all too rarely we take them them out on the road. One of the key reasons folk mention for not getting out on their bikes is the perceived sense of vulnerability on a bike on our roads. So when our Olympic Gold medalist and Tour de France winner, Bradley Wiggins, gets knocked off his bike, it confirms our concerns while perhaps emphasising that something should be done about this to make cycling safer.

This made the launch of the Proposed Dundee Local Development Plan (October 2012) of particular interest, especially as it's out for consultation. How will that plan help develop cycling in Dundee when even streak of lightning Wiggo can't avoid a crash and crushed ribs? How will the plan help us to encourage the tenfold increase in cycling for journeys of under two miles that would meet the target set by the Scottish Government? The aspiration of developing more sustainable transport is mentioned clearly in the plan and a number of measures are proposed for major new developments. Whilst that is positive, is it enough? I hope cycling and environmental interest groups will examine the Proposed Dundee Local Development Plan and respond during the consultation period.
Let's hope that for the sake of our environment, our waistlines, and safer cycling, we might soon be able to celebrate Dundee City of Cycling.