Parents of daughter killed in Glasgow road crash backing campaign to make Scotland's roads safer for cyclists
Pedal on Parliament wants to see an end to incidents like the one that claimed the life of Emma Newman
Last updated 22nd Apr 2023
The parents of a 22 year-old cyclist killed in Glasgow are backing a campaign to create safer roads in Scotland.
Emma Newman, who had been living in Paris, died following a crash with an HGV in January.
It happened on the same week that saw two other people killed in separate incidents in Glasgow.
It’s led Emma’s parents, Rose Marie Burke and John Newman, to back the Pedal on Parliament campaign, which will see demonstrators march and ride from Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland to the Parliament later.
Protestors are calling for Scotland’s roads to be made suitable for people of all ages and abilities to be able to cycle and for safer road speeds to be introduced near where people live, work and play.
Ms Burke and Mr Newman are hoping it is the first step to preventing similar incidents like the one that claimed the life of their daughter in Glasgow.
In a statement, they said: “Only three months into living in Scotland, Emma was roadkill at that deadly junction.
"There is more than enough space at the intersection where Emma died to accommodate every traveller.
"There is more than enough space, we just have to commit to making it safe for all who use it."
Pedal on Parliament’s Chris Russell is also concerned that not enough action has been taken since his group’s last demonstration.
He said: “Too many are still dying while cycling on Scotland’s roads.
"Emma was one of four people who’s been killed since the last Pedal on Parliament and we just don’t think that’s acceptable.
"Scotland is definitely moving in the right direction but other cities – London for example – has shown that big change is possible in a short period of time and that’s why we’re asking the Scottish Government and local councils to go further and faster in making Scotland a cycling friendly country.”
The Scottish Government said that road safety and investing in infrastructure were high priorities.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "The death of Emma Burke Newman while cycling in Glasgow was a terrible tragedy and our thoughts remain with her family and friends who are grieving her loss."
He said the council could not comment further on the case as it was under investigation.
He added: "We are also fully committed to delivering a City Network for active travel that will provide almost 600km of segregated infrastructure for safer walking, wheeling and cycling.
"Our work to create liveable neighbourhoods across Glasgow also aims to provide significant improvement to the active travel experience in all local communities.
"We are working closely with the Scottish Government to unlock the funding needed to ensure the delivery of our plans to transform the active travel experience in Glasgow."