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Go Bike! East Dunbartonshire Newsletter Spring 2001

Cycle Route Campaign in Baldernock.

In an unusual move Baldernock Primary School children attended the recent Baldernock Community Council meeting to present their case for improved cycling facilities in the area. Their spokesperson and member of the school council, William Logan (11), pointed out that the heavy traffic on their rural roads made it dangerous to cycle and that they wanted cycle routes to link the local villages and school. He said that the local road system (A807, A879 and B8049), which provides access to Milngavie/Bearsden and Glasgow now carries a large and increasing volume of traffic, including a high proportion of heavy goods vehicles. It is neither suitable nor safe for cyclists.
The children of Baldernock need to be able to cycle, as living in a country area was isolated and they did not wish always to be driven around.

Parents supported the young campaigners, commenting on the road dangers, the need for social interaction between the children in the community and the health gain from cycling. It was pointed out that Physical Education at the local primary school was limited to one period a week, for which the children had to be bussed to another school – spending 40 minutes in a bus and only having 30 minutes of Physical Education. All children attending secondary school from the area had to be bussed to school although many would prefer to cycle if a safe route were available.

The dis-used Kelvin Valley railway line could be developed to link the villages of Balmore, Bardowie and possibly Torrance with routes along the Kelvin River and the Allander Water to provide safe access to both Glasgow and the Bearsden/Milngavie areas. A further potential link exists between Balmore and the Clyde and Forth Canal path.

Negotiations with local farmers and investment in an all-weather (hard top) surface which is essential for Scottish weather would be necessary. A cycle bridge at the old railway bridge abutments would also be required to link with the Kelvin and Allander paths.

Baldernock Community Council believes that this project would demonstrate East Dunbartonshire’s commitment to its own “Transport Vision” by providing a socially inclusive, sustainable, efficient and safe transport mode which is environmentally friendly and would reduce car commuting.

A Council official, Mr Nigel Hooper pointed out that East Dunbartonshire had been one of the first Councils to adopt a “Cycling Strategy Plan”. This had been drawn up with the help of the local GoBike cycle campaign group. Some progress had been made in Milngavie and Kirkintilloch, but negotiation with landowners for cycle routes was often slow and funding was always a problem.

The Baldernock Community Council supported the campaign with Mrs. Jane Logan of Balmore agreeing to act as co-ordinator.

Spring 2001 Index