AS the countdown to Glasgow 2014 continues, there can be little doubt that the transport arrangements will continue to cause concern.

This week I took a good look at the official website, Get Ready Glasgow.

In fairness to the Games organisers and Glasgow City Council, the website is actually very good.

It provides detailed information on the dates, times and geography of individual road closures and restrictions.

It is clear that there will be considerable transport disruption during major events such as the marathon, the cycling time trials and the cycling road race.

There will also be disruption in the overlay arrangements surrounding the venues themselves, and of course the Games Route Network.

For all of us involved, it is important that we make ourselves aware of this potential disruption and make plans accordingly.

The website is a very good place to start.

Yesterday, I spoke to a woman who will be affected by the cycle events.

Her attitude was very refreshing, in that she articulated that whilst the local disruption might not be for the local good, it was certainly in the greater national interest.

She said it was important that Glasgow put its best foot forward, and I agree.

From a fire service perspective, there will be no restrictions on the Games Route Network, for Blue Light Traffic attending emergencies.

I am advised that the service has no issues with access or egress with the Games venue overlay arrangements.

Crews and commanders have been fully briefed and even the more dynamic events, such as the marathon and cycle races, which need more dynamic plans and movement of resources, are all in hand.

In short, access and movement for the Fire service has been well pre-planned and the intelligence and coordination are all geared to ensuring that we experience a safe and secure Commonwealth Games.

GLASGOW has unveiled its new bike hire scheme. With 400 bikes available in 31 locations across the city, this initiative is to be welcomed, and follows the introduction of similar schemes in other major cities such as London and Dublin.

At £1 for 30 minutes hire, and £10 for 24 hours, the bikes are certainly affordable.

It should be emphasised that they are not a safe mode of transport after a night out in the city, nor a solution to the problem of not being able to get a taxi.

Also, they should not be taken as an invitation to unofficially join the Glasgow 2014 cycle races.

Although welcomed by cycling groups, Glasgow City Council has been criticised for its lack of infrastructure investment and safety in relation to cycling provision.

On the other hand, many will view this initiative as groundbreaking. Just imagine the freedom we will now have, to cruise along endless, empty bus lanes, without the prospect of a bus lane ticket.

I do hope this initiative takes root, and I trust that it will be further expanded in the future.

Otherwise, like our bus lane plan (or lack of it), we may end up saddled with it.

EVENTS in Syria and Iraq were brought firmly home this week, with the revelation that at least one of the UK fighters who took part in an Islamic ISIS recruitment video was from Aberdeen.

The 25-year-old Jihadist looked nervous in the 13- minute long video, No Life Without Jihad.

Reaction to the video, both in Scotland and across the United Kingdom, has been very animated.

It is important however, to keep these issues in context.

Scotland has hundreds of thousands of Asians living in its communities. Moslems across the country will be dismayed to witness actions such as these.

Abdul Rakib Amin, grew up attending both primary and secondary school in Aberdeen.

I am sure his childhood was nothing unusual. So what happened to this young man?

The ideology he espouses is that of a seventh century society, almost mediaeval in its outlook.

Yet his radicalisation was most likely conducted by that most modern of mediums, the internet.

The acts of barbarity being conducted by fighters in Syria and Iraq are a long way from the teachings of Islam, which teaches tolerance not hatred, peace and not violence.

We know from previous experience that it doesn't take much to upset the balance in our communities.

We do not wish to give any encouragement to those who would happily use any excuse to prosecute an agenda of racism. It is up to us all to continue to promote tolerance and harmony in our multicultural society.

That duty includes a duty to our own children.

A duty to demonstrate, by example, that all in our society should be treated equally, and the duty to understand that what we permit, we promote.