Thanks to all who “PoPped” for Emma

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We put our mettle to the pedal -- Pedal on Parliament -- last month. We tried and made our voices heard, expressing our anger at the death of Emma and with the aim of preventing another fatal crash of a cyclist on Scotland’s roads. John and I extend our heartfelt thanks to all friends of Emma for their participation and presence. It’s not easy when you’ve just lost a friend to be protesting for her. And no parent intends for their son or daughter to be a poster child. (Photo credit: Beqi on Flicker; https://www.flickr.com/photos/beqi/)

Speaking recently with the organizers of this year’s PoP, John and I learned that UK media picked up our message far and wide (see the list below). They told us: 

  • More than 1,000 attended, about the same as in previous years despite the damp and cold.
  • Our friend Shellie’s speech on the green in front of Parliament in Edinburgh was rousing and eloquent.
  • A feeder ride of friends and activists from Glasgow was dedicated to Emma.
  • Afterward, Scottish Government Minister Patrick Harvie, who is responsible for Active Travel – walking, wheeling and cycling -- offered condolences to Shellie and all of Emma's family and friends.

We also learned from PoP organizers that it is critical that cyclists join their local bike associations. The more who join, the more power cyclists have to change the world. Please consider joining one near you! Go here for info: http://walkwheelcyclevote.scot/in-your-area/. Or here : http://www.spokes.org.uk/links/cycle-campaigns-scotland-uk-international/

Go to the Pedal on Parliament website for a good summary of the event and photos:
https://pedalonparliament.org 


Media (links thanks to PoP, not exhaustive!)

TV

The Nine (BBC) - Iona and Ruby, clip: The Nine on Twitter / full interview: https://vimeo.com/820278098
STV News at 6 - Iona, Ruby, Oliver, Ellen
https://news.stv.tv/v/parents-of-cyclist-who-died-call-for-transport-safety-changes / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejlx9VAeAwo
STV News Online - ‘Parents of French cyclist killed in crash back road safety campaign’ https://news.stv.tv/west-central/parents-of-french-cyclist-killed-in-hgv-crash-join-campaign-for-ro ad-safety-measures-in-glasgow
BBC News Online - ‘'Better roads for cyclists could have saved our daughter' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65322735

Radio 
BBC Radio Scotland - https://twitter.com/isersmalone/status/1650168142876798976?s=20
Planet Radio - ‘Family and friends of woman killed in Glasgow cycle accident call for change’ https://planetradio.co.uk/clyde/local/news/family-friends-woman-cycle-accident-change/
Radio Clyde/Forth 

Newspapers

Scotsman - ‘Pedal on Parliament: After our daughter was killed while cycling in Glasgow, we are taking up her life's work to make the streets safer for all – Rose Marie Burke and John Newman’ https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/pedal-on-parliament-after-our-daughter-wa s-killed-while-cycling-in-glasgow-we-are-taking-up-her-lifes-work-to-make-the-streets-safer-for-al l-rose-marie-burke-and-john-newman-4111567
Glasgow Times - ’Pedal on Parliament: Cyclists ride in memory of Emma Burke Newman’ https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23474889.pedal-parliament-cyclists-ride-memory-emma burke-newman/

(front cover)



Glasgow Times - ‘Parents' tribute to cyclist Emma Burke Newman killed in Glasgow’
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23463904.parents-tribute-cyclist-emma-burke-newman-kil led-glasgow/ 

(front cover)



Daily Record - ‘Parents of tragic cyclist killed in horror lorry crash vow to make roads safer https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/parents-tragic-cyclist-killed-horror-29743672 
Road CC - ‘"Society has accepted death as a cost of getting from A to B": Parents of young cyclist killed in collision call for change’
https://road.cc/content/news/parents-young-cyclist-killed-collision-call-change-300661?amp
Glasgow Live - ‘Parents' heartbreaking appeal after daughter killed in Glasgow when lorry crashed with bicycle’
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/parents-heartbreaking-appeal-after-daughter -26724562
Scottish Sun - ‘Heartbroken parents pay tribute to young cyclist killed in horror Glasgow crash’ https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/10536609/emma-burke-newman-parents-tribute/
Glasgow Times - ‘Jon Molyneux: 'We owe it to everyone to make our streets safe' https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23473160.jon-molyneux-we-owe-everyone-make-streets safe/
Edinburgh Reporter ‘Pedal on Parliament demands that politicians do not backpedal’ https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2023/04/pedal-on-parliament-demands-that-politicians-do-not -backpedal/
Edinburgh Reporter - ‘Pedalling to Parly’ - Kirsty Lewins speech (pg 8)
https://issuhub.com/view/index?id=225724
Edinburgh Reporter - Pedal on Parliament 2023 takes to the streets today’ https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2023/04/pedal-on-parliament-2023-takes-to-the-streets-today /
Edinburgh News - ‘Scotland's annual Pedal on Parliament can galvanise support for better facilities for cyclists’
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/scotlands-annual-pedal-on parliament-can-galvanise-support-for-better-facilities-for-cyclists-angus-robertson-4107588

Other Online
Youtube - procession down Royal Mile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8AT0YTPJ0s

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