Highland cyclists mourn sudden death of campaigner (54) who helped produce first cycling map of Inverness

A dedicated campaigner on cycling and public transport issues in the Highlands has died suddenly aged 54.

Roger Humphry, a long-time member of the Highland Cycling Campaign and keen supporter of sustainable living, was instrumental in the publication of the first cycling map of Inverness.

His unexpected but peaceful death while away in Yorkshire has shocked cyclists as well as his colleagues at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) where he was a lecturer in quantitative science.

He leaves a wife, Jane, a daughter, Eve, and a son, Sandy.

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Ged Church, a former chairman of the Highland Cycling Campaign (HCC) and friend of Mr Humphry, paid a moving tribute to his fellow campaigner who has been described by many as dedicated and inspirational.

“To those who knew him, it was a shocking blow,” Mr Church said.

“He was such a remarkable, open, inclusive and engaging individual.

“He took on everything in such a good way.”

Reflecting on his legacy in paving the way for improvements for cycling in the area, he said Roger was a voice for cyclists plus other organisations and authorities in getting them to act on their policies.

“Everyone says ‘we want to stop climate change’ but don’t do much about it,” he reflected.

“Roger kicked things forward in a substantial way.”

He was involved in the Highland Cycle Forum as vice chairman, for example, and was key to turning that organisation into the Hitrans Active Travel Advisory Group for the regional transport partnership, Hitr.

He also organised the funding and administration to produce the first cycle map of Inverness.

Mr Church recalled they first met after Roger joined the HCC about 1999/2000.

“A few of us met him at a local transport event in the Inverness Town House,” he said.

“He was soon an active and enthusiastic member of the campaign.

“Roger attended many consultations and events and was never afraid to confront contentious issues which he did with unfailing courtesy and reason.”

From 2000 to 2006, when he left the area for work in Dundee, he served as the group’s secretary.

He later returned to his Inverness-based job while remaining a resident of Errol in Perthshire and was able to retain his contact with the HCC and friends.

Mr Church said seeing Roger’s road bike, which he kept at Inverness train station as part of his commute to work, had been particularly poignant.

“It was a bit old and it kept a lot of Inverness mechanics in good work!” he said.

“He had a different bike at home and just needed a bike to get him to work.”

But his interests were much wider than cycling.

“Community projects and activities absorbed him whether, football, Scouting, planting fruit trees or community council activities and he was a relentless, reasoning advocate and activist for measures to address climate change and biodiversity loss,” he said.

“We have received a number of tributes to him all attesting to his dedication, inspirational quality, humour, inclusiveness and kindness.

“Our thoughts will be with his wife Jane, his children Eve and Sandy and his mother Kath, whose loss is devastating.”

Tribute has also been paid by the SRUC which spoke of its sadness on social media.

“Roger was deeply valued across SRUC, particularly by colleagues in Inverness,” it stated.

“His professional expertise, approachable manner and cheerful nature will be greatly missed.”

One colleague said: “What a loss to the world indeed. He was one of a kind - the best friend and colleague one could ever hope to have.”

Another posted: “Absolutely lovely guy to work alongside and definitely brought a lovely positive energy where ever he went.”

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