Glasgow - A Bright New Future

I'm not going to say much in this post. I don't think I need to, however, it might be worth taking a look at this blog from a while ago. In it I discuss plans for cycle infrastructure around the Southern General in Glasgow.

Unfortunately I thought it would be pants.

Today a colleague mentioned to me he had seen some new 'infrastructure' going in on Langlands Road in Glasgow, so on the way home I went to investigate.

Remember, this is new. This is after Glasgow has sent councillors to Amsterdam. This is after many 'encouraging words' at the Cycling Scotland conference.......this is after not one councillor from Glasgow came to Pedal on Parliament*.

This is the bright new future for Glasgow.

The Mind Goes Live

I'm back!

What?! You went somewhere?

Ah. I thought you might have noticed! Oh well...

Yes I've been away at a conference as part of my work. Here if you are interested, in the Italian city of Milan. It was a huge conference which unfortunately meant I was working hard all week. Thus, I didn't get to see a huge amount of Milan, although I did manage to walk around a bit, especially after the conference had finished on Friday.

No cycling?

Unfortunately not. I was with others for most of the time, and they weren't as keen on cycling in an Italian city as I was. Fear not though, I was being very observant and I have taken plenty of pictures of cycling and cycle related infrastructure that I spotted. I'll be writing a blog on this shortly. Watch this space....

In the mean time, there is something else I want to let you know about. Well......you know how I have views on cycling....and you you know how I like sharing them.....and you know how I like talking....and you know how I've had an 'experience or three' over the years....well.....

I felt it was time to share them with you, but this time not on here. This time, the Mind goes live. In person. In Edinburgh. In a pub.

Yes, I have decided to try my hand at giving a talk on my experiences over the last eight years at this years Edinburgh Festival of Cycling. That's right, you lucky people have the opportunity to pay to listen to me talking to you....umm, errr....I'm not selling this well am I!?

In all seriousness, I hope that the evening will be filled with a few laughs, a few serious moments and unfortunately a few girly screams, all in aid of funds for Pedal on Parliament. So, if you are interested mossy on over to this link here and book yourselves some tickets.

Canons' Gait, Edinburgh, on the 20th June at 7pm and all for only £5. Perhaps I'll see you there!

A Letter To A Company

My letter to Diack & Macaulay  Ltd (Construction Services) relating to some driving I experienced this morning.


As a cyclist who cycle commutes from Torrance to Glasgow daily, I would like to write to about the driving standards of one of your drivers.

Fear not though, as this is not a complaint. I would like to compliment the driving I experienced this morning from one of your drivers whilst I was cycling along Balmore Road and after I had turned on to Auchenhowie Road at approximately 8:15 am this morning.

The road was very busy this morning so there were fewer overtaking opportunities than normal, thus your driver got stuck behind me for a few minutes. Often this leads to tailgating and occasionally aggressive driving. However, your driver showed great patience by hanging well back and giving me plenty of room.

Whilst this should be normal road behaviour, often it isn't, therefore it is very refreshing when a driver treats you with respect.

If I notice a queue building up behind me like it did today, I will often find somewhere to pull over to let it past. As I did this the driver gave me a friendly toot and the passenger gave me a friendly wave. Whilst this is a small gesture, it is gestures like this that cyclists like myself really do appreciate.

If only all road users drove and acted with such consideration!

Please could you try and identify the driver and pass on my thanks.

David Brennan