Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP has urged Scots to embrace pedal power in 2013.
Mr Brown said he was looking forward to getting on his bike more in the coming 12 months and called on others to follow his example.
To help achieve that he vowed to do everything possible to make cycling an “attractive and viable option for more people.”
It has been a “fantastic year for cycling in Scotland,” and the Olympic successes, such as Sir Chris Hoy winning gold in London, led to a “huge surge in interest in cycling both for recreation and as a way of getting around.”
In his New Year message he said: “I am looking forward to getting on my bike more and to doing all I can in my role as transport minister to make this an attractive and viable option for more people throughout Scotland.
“We are already supporting projects to make the road network more cycle-friendly and in 2013 we’ll launch a refreshed cycling action plan.
“This will include a target to further reduce casualties, new commitments on education, training, improved signage, consideration of cycling in roads design and greater use of 20mph zones.”
The Scottish Government has earmarked £53 million to improve cycle paths in Scotland and make cycling more accessible.
“All of this will help us build on the Olympics legacy and will also go towards keeping up momentum on increasing cycling activity in Scotland ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014,” he said.
“I want to see 2013 remembered as the year that Scotland really embraced pedal power and I would urge everyone to join me in getting out on their bike.”