The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a new national ‘Cycling Framework’ (open until December 19 2022) https://consult.gov.scot/transport-scotland/cycling-framework/ While this contains many sensible proposals, it also contains one astonishing omission and a bizarre question.
The omission is in the section titled ‘training and education’. Five ‘actions’ are proposed to train cyclists…but the safety and attractiveness of cycling is not going to be revolutionised by changing the behaviour of cyclists, but of drivers. The proposed framework says nothing whatsoever about how to curb inconsiderate and aggressive driving behaviour. Without this (accompanied by effective enforcement action) many people who would like to cycle will keep off their bikes, and those that do cycle will continue to face danger routinely.
The omission is in the section titled ‘training and education’. Five ‘actions’ are proposed to train cyclists…but the safety and attractiveness of cycling is not going to be revolutionised by changing the behaviour of cyclists, but of drivers. The proposed framework says nothing whatsoever about how to curb inconsiderate and aggressive driving behaviour. Without this (accompanied by effective enforcement action) many people who would like to cycle will keep off their bikes, and those that do cycle will continue to face danger routinely.
Nor can this be addressed simply by adding what the framework describes as ‘dedicated, high quality cycling infrastructure suitable for all’. No matter how many cycle lanes are built in urban areas, cyclists will continue to encounter hostile motor traffic especially at junctions and side roads which are known to be particularly hazardous for cyclists.
The framework’s bizarre question is number 23. This asks if you agree that: “In order to ensure maximum value for money and impact, active travel funding in the short term should be prioritised for those local authorities with the greatest capacity to deliver, with capacity building support offered to those with the least.”
*Every* local authority has capacity to deliver active travel. If ‘active travel’ really means walking and wheeling every bit as much as cycling, there can be no justification for this suggestion. Throughout Scotland, pavements are inadequate - cluttered, inaccessible, narrow - and sometimes completely absent. It is hard or impossible to cross many roads safely.
Every local authority needs to be equipped to tackle the active travel priorities that it chooses. For example, simple ways to improve the accessibility of walking and wheeling are set out in 'Small Changes can make a Big Difference' which I wrote for the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) last year: https://bit.ly/3zrT4AG. I doubt if many councils will be queuing to take up the offer of ‘capacity building’ to help them make those choices!
*Every* local authority has capacity to deliver active travel. If ‘active travel’ really means walking and wheeling every bit as much as cycling, there can be no justification for this suggestion. Throughout Scotland, pavements are inadequate - cluttered, inaccessible, narrow - and sometimes completely absent. It is hard or impossible to cross many roads safely.
Every local authority needs to be equipped to tackle the active travel priorities that it chooses. For example, simple ways to improve the accessibility of walking and wheeling are set out in 'Small Changes can make a Big Difference' which I wrote for the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) last year: https://bit.ly/3zrT4AG. I doubt if many councils will be queuing to take up the offer of ‘capacity building’ to help them make those choices!
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