Glasgow MSP Sandra White, who recently hosted Glasgow's first 'Transport Summit', has urged Glasgow to get on its bike this weekend as the annual Sky Ride gears up for action this weekend, and organisers of the Sky Ride, which last year saw over 7000 people participate in the 8km ride, have set their sights even higher by transforming Glasgow into a cyclists’ paradise, complete with a festival area and roaming entertainment.

The route takes in some of the most iconic buildings in Glasgow as it snakes through the City Centre and along the banks of the Clyde and it's hoped that the event will be a huge success in raising the profile of cycling in Glasgow.

Indeed Glasgow's 'Transport Summit' also recommended raising the profile of cycling and improving cycling provision in the City in order to raise awareness of what was on offer and to encourage more people to take to their bikes around the city.

Ms White hopes to bring the various stakeholders together at a future 'Cycling Summit' to ensure that these recommendations are taken forward and along with other lead organisations has written to The Rt Hon Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee to ensure that the games legacy also includes a much improved cycling network and experience in Glasgow.

Ms White also welcomed the publication of a Cycling Action Programme for Scotland (CAPS) which aims to increase by tenfold journeys made by bicycle to 10% by 2020 and which has pledged an extra £3.3 million, over and above the record amount being invested, specifically to ensure these targets are delivered.

Commenting Ms White said: "The overwhelming conclusions of the summit were that Glasgow needed to up its game if it were to get more people out of their cars and on to their bikes and I'm sure this weekend's Sky Ride will deliver a much needed boost. Concerns were also raised that the existing network was falling into disrepair; that there was a lack of investment to maintain and improve the network and I hope that the new Action programme will help deliver these much needed improvements."

"I will be meeting with the Scottish Government and those charged with implementing the Action Plan to ensure that Glasgow's cycle network flourishes and grows so that many more can enjoy the experience of a bike ride, be it to get to work or simply for pleasure. I'll also be meeting with the team delivering the Glasgow 2014 Games to put the groups views across and see just what they can deliver"

"The 2014 Commonwealth games bring with them unique opportunities to Scotland; we need to be imaginative and creative in what we want the lasting legacy to be; in how we want to see our communities, towns and cities benefit from these Games and we need to work to ensure that everyone's voice is heard"

Notes:

The Glasgow Sky Ride will take place at 9:30 on Sunday 22nd August, details can be found here.

The Scottish Government's Cycling Action Programme for Scotland (CAPS) can be accessed here.