Political speed dating set for Scotland

On 11 November, Edinburgh Transport convenor Lesley Hinds, Co-Chair of the Holyrood All-Party Cycling Group Alison Johnstone MSP and Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat will take part in a Women’s Cycle Forum event at Edinburgh's City Chambers.

As part of a new joint campaign “We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote”, participants will discuss the potential for Scotland to transform its transport policy, prioritising active travel in order to improve health, wellbeing and the economy.

Even in Edinburgh, Scotland's most cycle-friendly city, men are twice as likely as women to cycle, and rates of female participation in cycling are even lower elsewhere in Scotland.

Recent research has shown that women cycling are more likely to encounter 'near misses'. By contrast, in nations where cycling is treated as a mainstream transport option, women actually cycle more than men.

This goes far beyond just cycling – it’s about liveable cities, health, inequality and even happiness. Creating civilised streets benefits everyone.”
Sally Hinchcliffe, Co-organiser of the Women's Cycle Forum

In a response to overwhelming male dominance in UK transport policy, the Women’s Cycle Forum was founded in 2014, with the aim of ensuring that the voices of women and families are heard when vital decisions are made on the future of transport.

Forum founder, and CTC's Head of Development in Scotland, Suzanne Forup said: “The future shape of our streets – and our cities – is too important a subject to just leave to the boys to decide.”

Co-organiser of the Forum Sally Hinchcliffe commented: “This goes far beyond just cycling – it's about liveable cities, health, inequality and even happiness. Creating civilised streets benefits everyone.”