Want to support The Bears Way by joining a cycle ride?

Councillors voted against the council’s proposed Phase 2 of the Bears Way project to install a segregated cycle path from Hillfoot to Kessington at a full council meeting on Thursday, September 29.

The first phase, which created a segregated cycle lane along the A81 Milngavie Road from Burnbrae to Hillfoot, has been controversial and unpopular with many local people and commuters because they say it’s caused increased congestion along the road.

Aileen MacIntyre, from Bearsden, handed her Change.org petition containing 2,560 signatures (2,140 online and 420 on paper) to East Dunbartonshire Council in May this year.

But now an opposing petition which asks the council to complete the Bears Way cycle lane has collected 2,703 signatures.

A spokesperson for Friends of Bears Way said: “We have had something of an up and down few weeks - the hugely disappointing setback of the council vote has put the future of the project in doubt but we’ve been heartened by the expressions of support from many people.

“This has culminated in the huge success of the petition, which has surpassed our expectations and re-energised our campaigning team, giving us the confidence to start the fightback.

“We now feel it is time to take things to the next level.

“We have called it an advocacy ride because we aren’t natural protestors and we aren’t looking for confrontation - we’re hoping to create a welcoming, celebratory atmosphere.”

They intend to ride along Bears Way Phase 1 from Burnbrae to Hillfoot on Sunday, November 6at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start at the Allander Leisure Centre car park, Milngavie Road, Bearsden.

Anyone who feels brave enough can then follow the proposed route for Bears Way Phase 2 from Hillfoot to Kessington, along the existing road.