FLYing Scotsman Graeme Obree has called for Scotland to become a cycling nation as he backed a campaign for more funding to get people on their bikes.
The two-times individual pursuit world champion will take part in Pedal on Parliament on May 19, when thousands of cyclists will gather in Edinburgh to call on the Scottish Government to invest more in cycling.
The campaign organisers say there has been only a small rise in cycle funding and fear the Government will miss its own target of 10% of journeys being made by bike by 2020.
They have issued an eight-point manifesto calling for roads and transport strategies to be designed to include cycling.
Obree, whose story was told in the film The Flying Scotsman, said: "I would love to see Scotland develop a culture which supports cycling and encourages cycling as wholeheartedly as possible, be that for pleasure, leisure, transportation or competition.
"It's one of the best ways to experience a town, city or the countryside, so any steps to improve consideration for the needs of cyclist will ultimately improve our country."
Sally Hinchcliffe, an organiser of Pedal on Parliament, said: "A whole generation of children is growing up whose parents can't risk letting them out to cycle on their own simply because it's not safe. Not only have they lost the freedom we enjoyed on our bikes, but we risk losing the Graeme Obrees of tomorrow."
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