Hundreds of cyclists dressed as native Scottish animals are set to take over the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday.
People will cycle en-masse through the capital in a bid to highlight the positive relationship between cycling and nature, and increase awareness for a rewilding charter.
The cyclists are hoping the event will put a spotlight on the call for people to sign the charter promising to champion major nature recovery across Scotland.
The gathering is being organised by Critical Mass Edinburgh and is entitled ‘A Ride on the Re-Wild Side’, with the plan to celebrate both cycling and nature as well as featuring in the Scottish Rewilding Alliance’s Rewilding Nation Campaign.
Cyclists will meet at 2pm on Middle Meadow Walk and finish at The Parade Ground in Holyrood Park.
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They are encouraged to dress up as their favourite native Scottish animal and decorate their bikes to rewild the capital city for the day.
The Rewilding Nation Charter has already been signed by thousands of people across Scotland is calling on the government to declare the country as the world’s first rewilding nationa, with action to restore nature across 30 percent of land and seas.
Organisers say the event will be a positive and fun way to raise awareness of the nature loss in Scotland, the role of cars in the crisis and the need for a large-scale recovery.
The wildlife-themed mass cycle will take place just days before the Scottish Rewilding Alliance presents the Rewilding Nation Charter to the Scottish government, at a reception in Edinburgh on Tuesday 3 December.
Karen Blackport, Scottish Rewilding Alliance Co-Convenor and Chief Executive of Bright Green Nature, said: "Scotland’s roads are busier than ever with cars, while our land, rivers, lochs and seas are increasingly quiet and empty of life. In fact, we now live in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
“This colourful and eye-catching event in Edinburgh is about putting biodiversity loss in the spotlight. We’re encouraging everyone to come along dressed as their favourite native Scottish animal.
“We want people to have some fun while making the serious point that rewilding offers our best hope of tackling Scotland’s nature crisis and can bring a cascade of benefits for people.”
The campaign has had widespread support from people across the country, as well as actor Brian Cox who publicly backed the campaign earlier this week.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, is calling on people from all walks of life to sign the Rewilding Nation Charter at rewild.scot/charter.
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