A DUMFRIES cycling group is hitting the town this weekend under the cover of night to shine a light on how bikes can help fight the climate crisis.
Riders from Cycling Dumfries have teamed up with local bike shops and Pedal on Parliament to organise a light-up display during the hours of darkness this Saturday.
By lighting up the Nith Viaduct statue of Kirkpatrick McMillan – the famed inventor of the pedal cycle who was from the nearby village of Kier – the cyclists hope to highlight the fact that cycling for transport is one way most people could easily cut carbon emissions.
Furthermore, G&G Cycle Centre, the Frothy Bike Co and DG2 Wheels and Powerbikes will be hosting window displays featuring the message “this machine fights climate change” from Thursday.
Group organiser Rhian Davies said: “Both the Scottish Government and Dumfries and Galloway Council have declared a climate emergency, but we’re not seeing much rapid action on the ground that would enable people to replace some car journeys with walking and cycling. In fact, we’ve seen endless delays on the improvement of the Dock Park crossing, the New Abbey Road cycle track and easier cycling in the town centre.”
John McLintock, of G&G Cycle Centre, added: “I feel privileged over the last year to have been able to talk face to face with people about cycling as we have been open throughout the pandemic. Fixing up so many bikes here at the shop and at the hospital, many people
told us that cycling was their ‘little bubble of normality’.
“Despite a global shortage of new bikes, people of all ages have found a way to get out on their bikes. Many have ridden for the first time in years often riding together as a family across generations enjoying quality time. I have been selling and repairing bikes in the town for over 30 years and this rise in interest in using bikes feels different to anything else I have experienced.”
