Thousands of cyclists have taken part in a ride through Edinburgh for the fifth annual Pedal on Parliament demonstration.

Another mass bike ride will take place in Aberdeen on Saturday, with campaigners calling for safer conditions and increased funding for cycling.

Participants were met with bright and sunny conditions in the capital as organisers hailed the event as "the busiest so far", surpassing last year's total of 4,000.

The Edinburgh event set off from the Meadows at noon and made its way to the Scottish Parliament via the Royal Mile. In Aberdeen, cyclists travelled from Hazelhead Park to Marischal College.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie and Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie lined up for the event, with transport minister Derek Mackay hot on their tails.

The cycle was led by a club which pairs visually-impaired cyclists with sighted riders on tandem bikes, the Fife Talking Tandems.

Mies Knottenbelt, of Lothians cycle campaign group Spokes, said: "Many different kinds of cyclists come together to make it known that cyclists need some space on the roads to be able to cycle safely. "There are lots of kids here and lots of parents who feel strongly that unless we make the roads a bit safer we can't cycle."

Denise Marshall, on behalf of Pedal on Parliament (PoP), said earlier: "PoP is a fun, family-friendly event but with a serious purpose.

"When PoP started, cycling and active travel were barely on the agenda, with regular cuts to funding.

"Now, the Scottish Government likes to boast that it's spending record amounts on active travel, whilst cutting funding for local authorities to spend on cycling and walking.

"Without proper investment, cycling will never reach the levels set by the Scottish Government's own Cycling Action Plan of 10% of journeys by bike.

"We hope that, with the election looming, our politicians will realise that now is the time to do what the majority of Scots have said they support and invest in proper cycle tracks that suit not just young fit cyclists, but groups like the Talking Tandems."