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On Sunday September 11, thousands of people saddled up to participate in Glasgow’s Skyride.

The nationwide cycling campaign has a self-proclaimed mission – to get 1 million Brits on their bikes by 2013. Judging by the enduring popularity of this event, they may achieve this goal in the not-so-distant future. Although the scheduled Sunday displayed typical dreary Scottish weather, full hardy families were still keen to cycle the car free, nine mile route around the city. With the roads cleared, those taking part had free reign of the land, and a relaxed path with no harassment from disgruntled drivers.

The event got me thinking about Glasgow’s emerging bike culture. I recently had a conversation with a friend who griped that everyone, apparently, had a bike these days. It is becoming the new, hip thing to do, to ditch the pub in favour of a fast-paced pelt through the city in the rain (much to his dismay). He doesn’t own a bike – yet. But more and more people seem to be crawling out the woodwork with bikes in tow; swarming through Glasgow in their wee helmets with steely determination written over their wind beaten faces.

Aside from the obvious health benefits, many of my pals have invested in a bike purely to save a bit of money. With fuel prices soaring and becoming a bit ridiculous, it’s simply too much hassle to constantly pump up the car. Thus, the roads are becoming a main vein for the cyclists to peddle around, whether drivers like it or not. Bikes are seen precariously leaning from lamp-posts all over the city centre, and the nation’s cycle networks are proving to be a serene, alternative day out for those wanting to escape the clutter of urban life for a day.

From an observational point of view, I have noticed a massive increase in the amount of people who use a bike. I personally couldn’t live without mine – it’s become an extra limb. The next step for the city council is to carve out some more pathways for cyclists, since currently we get abuse both on the pavements and on the intimidating roads. Once some space has been painted out on the tarmac, my pal’s just going to have to cope with the unstoppable force of wheels. Anyone against this movement can eat my dust.