Pedal on COP – 1,000 cyclists ride to Glasgow to highlight how bikes can help save the planet

Around 1,000 cyclists converged on Glasgow yesterday from all over Scotland, joining a further 200 how had ridden for Edinburgh plus local riders to take part in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice march as the city hosts the COP26 conference.

More than 20 Pedal on COP rides converged on Glasgow from as far afield as Aberdeen, Inverness and Dumfries, co-ordinated by the campaign group Pedal on Parliament and Cycling UK, to highlight the role cycling can play in tackling climate change and making cities more sustainable and liveable.

We are marching in #Glasgow because we want action on climate change and #cycling to be part of the solution. We need investment in safe cycling infrastructure.#ThisMachineFightsClimateChange pic.twitter.com/W9F1rOZICA

— Cycling UK in Scotland (@CyclingUKScot) November 6, 2021

Iona Shepherd of Go Bike, the Strathclyde cycling campaign, said: “We've seen the irony of a climate conference cutting off safe routes for the most environmentally friendly form of transport, while delegates are being ferried around in electric limousines. We want to show people that there is a better way.

“During lockdown, people took to their bikes in massive numbers as soon as they had quiet streets and temporary infrastructure. Cities and countries could act now and start to cut transport emissions immediately with a few simple measures to prioritise cycling and walking.

“The perfect machines to fight climate change are staring us in the face – but we need safe places for people to use their bikes if they are to ride in enough numbers to make a real difference.”

Ding ding! 🛎🚲 #PedalOnCOP26 #COP26 #ThisMachineFightsClimateChange https://t.co/98vbDEA8wS

— 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships (@CyclingWorlds) November 6, 2021

Sally Hinchcliffe, one of the organisers of Pedal on Parliament, led a Pedal on COP ride to Glasgow from Dumfries.

She said: “I've been feeling real despair in recent years as warning after warning about the climate has been ignored, and extreme weather events are starting to disrupt our lives everywhere.

“Seeing the response from across Scotland to our Pedal on COP rides has given me a glimmer of hope.

One of the downsides of actually being on the march yesterday was not having any real sense of the scale of it https://t.co/MBxQCWbcFS

— Sally Hinchcliffe (@sallyhinch) November 7, 2021

“The fact that perfect strangers have been prepared to brave the weather and the distances involved to share our message has made me feel less alone, and more like I'm part of the solution.

“It means I can look my nieces and nephews in the eye and say we're all fighting for their future.”

Amaya Bañuelos Marco, a member of Edinburgh Critical Mass, which organised the ride from the Scottish capital to Glasgow, said: “This conference is probably the last chance we have to stop climate breakdown.

People are gathering up for our #PedalOnCOP26 ride to #Glasgow. So exciting! #thismachinefightsclimatechange pic.twitter.com/1hz2nC2z7g

— Critical Mass Edinburgh (@EdCriticalMass) November 6, 2021

“Many people feel desperate about the situation, but a massive shift away from cars and towards active travel is a really easy and achievable tool in the fight against climate change.

“Not everyone can come to Glasgow but most people could manage short everyday journeys by bike instead of the car, especially if there are good cycle paths and safe streets.

“We think there’s too much emphasis by governments on electric vehicles instead of investing in cycling, walking and public transport, which have so many other benefits beyond cutting emissions.”

We're here!! #bearsway #PedalOnCOP pic.twitter.com/8a21DqOlWf

— David Brennan (@magnatom) November 6, 2021