June 15-23 is national Bike Week, so there will be no shortage of information on getting into the saddle. Getting on a bike safely need not mean going into the countryside. Designated cycle routes and traffic-free sections are being opened in Scotland and throughout Britain as part of the UK National Cycling Strategy. In Scotland many of these are on forestry tracks, river and loch-side paths (as in Rothiemurchus) and dismantled railways. Cycle street maps of Greater Glasgow, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian are also available highlighting safe biking routes. Safe routes to and from school are promoted nationwide by Sustrans. More information on:

www.scottishcycling.co.uk

www.sustrans.org.uk

www.gobike.org

www.spokes.org.uk

www.bikeweek.org.uk