Cycling UK urges Transport Minister to fund ten key cycling and walking projects
Last month, the minister admitted to MSPs in Holyrood* that the Government’s target of 10% of everyday journeys being made by bike by 2020 will be missed.
The charity argues that by funding the ten Places for Everyone (Community Links PLUS) bids, the minister should at least show renewed commitment to cycling and active travel while addressing the challenges of climate change, inequality and improving health and wellbeing of people across Scotland.
A recent YouGov poll by Cycling UK revealed that 83% of women in Scotland never cycle or cycle less than once a month.
The same survey found that 31% of women in Scotland who never cycle or cycle less than once a month would ride a bike, or ride more often if there was better infrastructure for cycling.
Jim Densham, Campaigns and Policy Manager in Scotland, said: “Financing all the viable projects will inevitably stretch Transport Scotland’s limited budget, and extra funding will be needed from Government.
“But we believe this is an appropriate response to the climate emergency and is needed to show that Government is taking urgent action in a sector that is falling behind others.”
Mr Densham added: “The impacts of climate change threaten every aspect of our lives, including making the conditions for cycling and active travel more challenging.
“However, more people travelling by bike rather than by car is one of the solutions to climate change, one which the majority of people in Scotland can be part of and benefit from in their daily lives.”
Cycling UK also believes funding for the ten projects will provide value for money.
Figures from the Department for Transport show that every pound spent on cycling schemes provides £5.50 worth of social benefits.**
Full transcript of the letter below:
Notes to editors
- Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org
- *see 10 per cent cycling target ‘unlikely to be met’, ministers concede – The Scotsman, 18 June 2019
- **see Value for Money Assessment for Cycling Grants – Department for Transport, August 2014
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2163 adults, of which 1140 were female and 90 were females from Scotland. Fieldwork was undertaken between 11 -12 June, 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Press contact information
For more information contact the national Cycling UK Press Office on 01483 238 315, 07786 320 713 or email publicity@cyclinguk.org
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