CAMPAIGNERS for and against a £9 million "cycle superhighway" in Edinburgh are set to clash with rival demonstrations in the capital today [Mon].
Supporters of the proposed East-West segregated cycle route are taking part in two mass cycle rides between Charlotte Square in the city centre and Roseburn in the west end, starting at 7.45am.
However, they will be confronted by a counter-demonstration of residents and traders opposed to the cycle track who will line the pavement along the route with their arms folded.
Campaigners against the track, who have put forward an alternative 'Roseburn Vision' focused on off-road routes, will also gather outside the Eat’n’Joy takeaway in Roseburn from 8.20am to challenge cyclists' support for the scheme.
The events have been organised on the eve of a Transport Committee meeting when councillors when councillors will be asked to vote through the scheme, which would link Roseburn to Leith Walk in the east of the capital.
The debate has been highly-charged, with opponents arguing that the loss of road space to a segregated cycleway will exacerbate congestion and drive away business. Meanwhile, supporters have accused opponents of spreading misinformation and insist that only a direct, protected route through the capital will deliver significant growth the numbers of people commuting by bike.
Peter Gregson, a Roseburn resident opposing the cycleway plan, said: "For most of the cyclists, this will be their first time to this part of town and as such is a good opportunity to for those against to highlight to them why this scheme is a bad idea."
However, the plans have been described by Spokes as a potential "game-changer" for cycling in the capital.
In a statement, the campaign group said: "It could attract many new people to use bikes for day to day travel, including commuting, shopping and leisure visits. And it forms the basis for future expansion to a much wider high-quality city centre cycle route network."
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