An East Kilbride cyclist is calling for improvements to road safety after a pop-up protest on a South Lanarkshire route.
Protesters rode in a painted bike lane on Main Street in Cambuslang and lined the route with toy vacuum cleaners which ‘stood in’ for protective barriers, and referred to the former Hoover site nearby.
Riders carried placards with slogans including ‘paint is not protection’ and ‘safe cycling for all’.
Marc Becker joined his fellow bike enthusiasts to stand against the lack of protective barriers.
Hairmyres local Marc felt that more should be done in East Kilbride to improve routes and encourage people to get on their bike.
The protester praised South Lanarkshire Council for conducting a review of paths and cycle lands to encourage locals to get on their bike of walk when making a local trip, put wanted to see action as soon as possible.
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He said: “It can be very difficult to cycle in some places, even just short distances.
“It’s frustrating because if you are just going to a local shop you are limited by cycle lanes and roads.
“I have noticed that South Lanarkshire Council are doing a consultation on cycling, and some of those ideas sounds good.
“We should be doing more to encourage people to cycle locally.
“It’s good to get exercise and it reduces pollution. I work in Eurocentral and by the time I cycle to work through traffic it takes about the same amount of time. For short journeys especially, say less than five miles, we should really be encouraging it.
“It can make a huge amount of difference to your health.”
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Organiser Derek York said: “South Lanarkshire Council just put a big covered bike parking shelter in the middle of Cambuslang Main Street, and other town centres, but with no protected bike lanes to get there – we want to see that change.”
Head of Roads and Transportation, Gordon Mackay, said: “We are pleased to hear positive feedback on the work we are doing to encourage cycling throughout South Lanarkshire.
“We are always keen to hear people’s views on what more we can do, which is why we conducted Active Travel Studies for East Kilbride and Rutherglen/Cambuslang.
“Both those consultations have now concluded and we are analysing the results.
“When that has been completed we will of course share the information with all interested parties.
“Cycling is an excellent way of keeping fit, reducing congestion and improving air quality.”
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