Glasgow Cycle Hire Scheme will Boost Health and Reduce Pollution

On the day that the first Cycle Hire Scheme in Glasgow is launched, environmental campaigners have welcomed the £586,000 scheme.

Friends of the Earth Glasgow Coordinator Sara Barry said:-

“We are delighted to see that Glasgow City Council is taking the need for better cycling facilities in the city seriously. Together with the newly proposed cycle routes across the city, we are hopeful that the cycle hire scheme will lead to a reduction in air pollution and to better health.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland Air Pollution Campaigner Emilia Hanna said:-

“The new cycle hire scheme is great news for Glasgow. This scheme will improve people’s health, reduce carbon emissions, and help tackle Glasgow’s air pollution problem.

“Cycling keeps you fit, your heart healthy and can increase your life expectancy. It is the green, modern way to travel. London’s cycle hire scheme has transformed attitudes to cycling and walking and hopefully the same will happen in Glasgow.

“The scheme needs to be combined with more cycle routes across the city to increase opportunities for cycling and to ensure those on bikes feel safe on the roads.

“This is a positive step in the right direction, but more still needs to be done to tackle Glasgow’s air pollution crisis. Air pollution is a silent killer, causing over 300 deaths in Glasgow each year alone.

“Air pollution causes asthma, strokes, heart attacks and is the leading cause of lung cancer globally. Groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems are the most vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution.

“Glasgow City Council needs to tackle traffic congestion through a traffic reduction target for the city centre, and needs to tackle toxic pollution from cars, buses and freight vehicles through a low emissions zone.”

This is a link to the council report on adopting the scheme which will cost £586,000 over three years.