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SPOKES, The Lothian Cycle Campaign
SPOKES is the Lothian Cycle Campaign, a non party political voluntary organisation,
founded in 1977, with a membership of over 1000. SPOKES campaigns for better
conditions for cyclists, especially in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
SPOKES OBJECTIVES - revised July 1998
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To promote cycling, as part of a sustainable transport and access strategy,
and to ensure that councils and government actively do the same.
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To publicise the benefits of cycling for the community and individuals
- like walking, it is cheap, efficient, enjoyable, healthy, non-polluting
and intrinsically safe.
Until recently the needs of motorists have been the overwhelming priority
for public expenditure on transport, with public transport coming a poor
second and cyclists and pedestrians trailing woefully behind. SPOKES believes
that councils and government should have an overall transport strategy
in which cyclists, pedestrians, public transport and motor traffic are
all taken fully into account.
Full costs and benefits should include the environmental and health
aspects.
At present motorists do not pay the full marginal costs of using the
roads and the corresponding pollution that is imposed on other road users.
SPOKES says this should mean increased support for public transport, pedestrians
and cyclists, with a range of effective mechanisms to reduce the number
of motor vehicles, particularly in urban areas at peak periods. Over the
past 20 years much has been achieved, many miles of off road cycle paths
have been built. An increasing number of on road facilities, particularly
in Edinburgh, are being provided - often as a result of SPOKES and its
members. These include the cycle lane on Princes Street and the widely
commended advance stop lines.
Current campaigns include work on Safe
Routes to Schools, urging Councils to allocate adequate funds to the
cycling budget, and participation in the government's full review of transport
policy and trunk-road expenditure (more details on Campaigns
page). Much remains to be done and SPOKES will continue to be vociferous
on behalf of current cyclists and those cyclists of the future.
About this site
If you would like to know more about our campaigns, become a member or
get more involved, then please visit our Getting
Involved page or go straight to our Campaigns
or Safe Routes to School pages. Our News
pages have information on local and national transport policy that
could affect you, news on cycle paths and road schemes, as well as more
details on our campaigns.
To encourage cycling both in Lothian and beyond SPOKES has details of
leisure and tourist discounts. These are available
to all cyclists, not just members.
The Diary page lists events, conferences etc.
as well as the SPOKES Sunday and weekend rides which are open to members
and non-members.
Finally, for more information on SPOKES or cycling in Lothian and Scotland,try
our Frequently Asked Questions page or our Links
to other sites.
SPOKES,
St. Martin's Church, 232 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2JG
Tel: 0131 313 2114 (a/phone only) or e-mail to spokes@spokes.org.uk
