Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Cycling Forum says lack of routes through Dundee could mean failure for e-bike scheme

Russell Pepper.
Russell Pepper.

Dundee City Council has been accused of promoting electric car use for “green credits” rather than a determination to promote environmentally friendly-transport.

Russell Pepper from the Dundee Cycling Forum said the lack of proper cycling routes throughout the city also means plans to introduce a network of e-bikes – electric bikes that can be hired by the hour – could fail.

He said Dundee will remain a “car city” until proper efforts are made to promote active travel options such as walking and cycling.

Mr Pepper told the city development committee Dundee is still in thrall to the internal combustion engine, with nine lanes of traffic that “sever” the city centre from the waterfront.

He was commenting on the local authority’s draft response to the Scottish Government’s National Transport Strategy Review.

Mr Pepper complained the local authority had not sought the views of organisations like the Dundee Cycling Forum before drafting its response, which was submitted before being discussed by the City Development committee.

He said: “The fact is the council has failed to understand the importance of public transport and active travel.

“It is encouraging people to use electric vehicles just for ‘green credits’ and there is a failure to grasp the economic benefits of walking and cycling.”

Mr Pepper said more investment is needed in cycle routes to encourage greater numbers of people to use their bikes, rather than drive.

He said promotion of public transport and active travel should be a priority, both in Dundee and at a national level.

He also criticised the council for failing to speak to the Dundee Cycling Forum before preparing its response to the consultation.

Labour Lochee councillor Michael Marra said: “We recognise the pressure that is on officers but we were told there was a good relationship with the Cycling Forum but it doesn’t sound like it to me.”

However, Robin Presswood, executive director of city development, said the council is aware of the need to promote active travel.

He said officers would not speak to every stakeholder while preparing a response and that the Cycling Forum could have responded themselves.

Mr Presswood added: “I think overall it is a very balanced document.

“There is a clear commitment to public transport , the need to address climate change and active and sustainable travel.”


Follow our special series at www.thecourier.co.uk/tay