THE heartbroken parents of a young cyclist who died on a Glasgow road have paid tribute to their beloved daughter.

Emma Burke Newman was killed in a collision with a lorry on Broomielaw on January 27, just months after setting up home in the city.

The 22-year-old had "already fallen in love" with Glasgow and had shared her excitement at celebrating her first Burns' Night two days before her tragic death with her parents, Rose Marie Burke and John Newman.

They said: "The symbolism is terribly searing. A young woman cyclist, 22 years old, on the cusp of adulthood, has carved out her path in life – devoted to making cities safer and more beautiful for all – but is crushed at the south entrance to the city centre of Glasgow.

Glasgow Times:

"Our daughter, Emma Burke Newman, was a strong and experienced cyclist. She cycled everywhere in the much bigger cities of Paris, London and Berlin. But, only three months into living in Scotland, she was roadkill at that deadly junction, as if the world were saying 'no, you cannot. Not now'.

"Instead, we must. We, her parents, feel compelled to push Scotland ahead, to make roads safer for everyone. It seems that society has accepted death and serious injury as a cost of getting from point A to B. We don’t accept that.

"Had Emma lived, she would have made safer travel her life’s work. Since she has not, we are taking on the mantle. It will help us of our grief, to ensure that her death was not in vain."

Glasgow Times:

The investigation into the French-American's death is ongoing, however, her doting parents have now thrown their support behind a protest calling on the Scottish Government to improve road safety around the country.

Pedal on Parliament has called on Scottish cyclists to join forces as they cycle towards Holyrood with the route from Glasgow being dedicated to the student.

"Although we are still in mourning, we have decided to support Pedal on Parliament as our first political action," Rose Marie and John said.

"We are demanding 'No Backpedalling'. Scotland has great plans and the budget for active travel. Now it must deliver, without stalling."

Glasgow Times:

Emma's parents while visiting Glasgow after her death

Emma was travelling to the Mackintosh School of Architecture where she was a part-time student on the day of her death.

She also worked part-time at an architecture practice and had planned to spend the summer climbing Scotland's munros.

As previously reported, Glasgow councillors expressed their condolences to Emma's family as they highlighted the importance of the new 20mph zone.

Councillor Jon Molyneux said: “Regardless of the circumstances of that incident, I think it is important that we keep in mind the liveable neighbourhoods aspect [of this paper].

“What this committee does is about protecting and saving lives and that is the motivation for making sure that when we implement policies like this that we are getting them right and making them as effective as they possibly can be.”

Her parents will spend April 22 in the US where they'll be hosting a memorial service for their daughter.

However, her friends will take to their bikes as they promise to "remember Emma" and urge for lessons to be learned.

Patrick Harvie, minister for active travel, said: “Road safety and investing in safe infrastructure are extremely high priorities for the Scottish Government.

"Emma’s family and friends have my heartfelt sympathies in the wake of her tragic death, and as someone who cycles every week through the same intersection where Emma died, I know first-hand how much more we need to do if we’re to ensure that everyone can be as safe as possible.

"While it wouldn’t be right for me to comment about the ongoing enquiries, I can give an assurance that the Scottish Government will continue to do what’s needed to make cycling safer right across the country.

“I’m pleased that we’re now investing far more on active travel than ever before, to provide the facilities that make people feel safe and confident to walk, wheel and cycle on daily journeys ... That is also why initiatives like Pedal on Parliament have been so important over the last 10 years, and I’m looking forward to being there once again this weekend.”   

To get involved in Pedal on Parliament visit here.