'Better roads for cyclists could have saved our daughter'

The parents of a cyclist killed successful Glasgow accidental their girl would inactive beryllium live if Scotland had safer roadworthy infrastructure for bikes.

Her parents, Rose Marie Burke and John Newman, said determination should beryllium amended separation betwixt cyclists and different roadworthy postulation successful the city.

They are backing Pedal connected Parliament this play - an yearly thrust to Holyrood campaigning for safer roads.

Thousands of cyclists are expected to be the lawsuit successful Edinburgh later.

Glasgow City Council said it had "extensive plans" to amended roadworthy safety.

Emma was studying astatine Glasgow's Mackintosh School of Architecture and moving part-time successful the metropolis erstwhile she died.

Her parents said she was a "strong and experienced cyclist" who had cycled successful cities including Paris, London and Berlin.

They said successful a statement: "Only 3 months into surviving successful Scotland, she was roadkill astatine that deadly junction.

"There is much than capable abstraction astatine the intersection wherever Emma died to accommodate each traveller.

"There is much than capable space, we conscionable person to perpetrate to making it harmless for each who usage it."

The Scottish authorities said that roadworthy information and investing successful infrastructure were precocious priorities.

Minister for Active Travel, Patrick Harvie, said: "As idiosyncratic who cycles each day, I cognize however overmuch much we request to bash to support each roadworthy users safe.

"I tin springiness an assurance that the Scottish authorities volition proceed to bash what's needed to marque cycling safer close crossed the country."

Pedal connected Parliament said Emma's decease was a "stark reminder" of wherefore it campaigns.

Speaking to BBC Scotland's the Nine, Pedal connected Parliament's Iona Shepherd said Scotland was "lagging behind" different European countries connected cyclist safety.

And she said the roll-out of rhythm lanes was not happening rapidly capable successful Glasgow.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "The decease of Emma Burke Newman portion cycling successful Glasgow was a unspeakable calamity and our thoughts stay with her household and friends who are grieving her loss."

He said the assembly could not remark further connected the lawsuit arsenic it was nether investigation.

He added: "We are besides afloat committed to delivering a City Network for progressive question that volition supply astir 600km of segregated infrastructure for safer walking, wheeling and cycling.

"Our enactment to make liveable neighbourhoods crossed Glasgow besides aims to supply important betterment to the progressive question acquisition successful each section communities."

"We are moving intimately with the Scottish authorities to unlock the backing needed to guarantee the transportation of our plans to alteration the progressive question acquisition successful Glasgow."