THERE are no signs of West Fifers slowing down when it comes to rediscovering their love of cycling, according to fresh data released this week.

Statistics released yesterday (Wednesday) have revealed that Kingseat Road in Dunfermline saw an increase of more than 100 per cent in the number of people getting on the bikes in August compared to the same time period 12 months ago.

It is one of six locations across the country that saw such an increase following analysis gathered by Cycling Scotland, and is the second successive month in which an increase greater than 100 per cent has been recorded.

In August, the figure of 132 per cent was even higher than the 106 per cent recorded in July, while the statistics also showed that, nationally, the number of cycling journeys completed between March and August this year was up 43 per cent from the same period in 2019.

The information was collected from 46 automatic cycle counters across the country as part of the National Monitoring Framework, managed by Cycling Scotland and funded by Transport Scotland, to monitor cycling rates across the country.

Keith Irving, Cycling Scotland chief executive, said: "In the past six months, we've all seen our lives radically change. One of the few positive changes is that more people have returned to cycling or started to cycle.

"We expected that the progressive lifting of lockdown restrictions in most areas would affect cycling numbers and for the second month running we are seeing these increases start to slow slightly. It's heartening that cycling is still a third higher this August compared to last.

"As we move into winter, the public health evidence clearly suggests we should try to be active and outside as much as possible. Cycling – and walking and wheeling – are great ways to achieve this.

"Cycling also has a key role to play in tackling the climate emergency and the pressures on our transport systems that face us as a nation. Today’s data demonstrates we need to redouble efforts to limit polluting traffic growth and enable more people to cycle, through infrastructure investment, creating green jobs in our economic recovery."

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, commented: "We should all be pleased to see a higher rate of cycling over the last six months – and we know the reasons why this has occurred. Having seen the success of initiatives like Spaces for People and the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, the task now is to lock-in the positive changes in travel behaviour we’ve seen recently.

"This is why we have committed to invest over £500 million in active travel over the next five years. By improving our match-funding offer for permanent infrastructure at the same time, it will help our local authorities make some of the temporary changes permanent where appropriate.

"Coupled with continued investment in high impact behavioural change initiatives, delivered through Cycling Scotland and other active travel partners, I believe we’re well placed to deliver an Active Nation – where more people can walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys."