Working-class Scots top the table on wanting more cycle lanes and lower rural speeds

The new survey has shown that people from the routine socio-economic classification (working class people) are more likely than those from the higher and intermediate classifications (middle and upper-middle class groups) to support a range of measures to improve road safety and enable more people to walk and cycle, including: 

• increased investment in walking and cycling (40% vs 31%) 
• building more cycle lanes (51% vs 43%) 
• lowering rural speed limits (50% vs 40% and 41%) 

Working class people are more likely (40%) than those from middle and upper-middle class groups (both 31%) to back spending 10% of Scotland’s transport budget on walking and cycling. Opposition remains low with only 31% of working-class people opposing increased transport funding (middle 38% and upper-middle 37%). Cycling UK believes this shows that people who rely on cycling as an affordable means of transport are the most supportive of investment to enable more people to cycle. 

Scott Runciman, Scotland Advocacy Lead at Cycling UK, said: 

"This data shows that people earning less, who rely on cycling to make affordable journeys, value safer streets more than any other group. For many working-class people across Scotland a bike is how they get to work, to the shops, or to education. 

“With car ownership out of reach for one in four Scots and fuel costs still biting, the freedom to travel safely and affordably matters more than ever. Every political candidate ahead of the May elections must hear that, and we hope to see commitments to deliver real transport choices for the people of Scotland.” 

Findings show that 60% of middle class and 57% of working-class Scots support more road safety awareness campaigns, compared to less than half for upper-middle class Scots (49%). This points to a greater public appetite for measures that make streets safer from those most likely to be injured on our roads. 

While more people across all socio-economic groups supported reducing rural speed limits than opposed it, working-class respondents were the most invested with half supporting (50%) and less than a third opposing (32%).  Support remained 10% higher than from the next social group (50% vs 40%). 

Working class support echoes that form young people, with three in four (74%) 16-24-year-olds supporting streets being redesigned to make them safer for walking and cycling, something the majority (56%) of Scots also support. 

Young people also back Cycling UK’s call for 10% of the overall transport budget to be spent on walking and cycling, with three in five (61%) supporting that manifesto ask. The findings follow trends captured in the Walking and Cycling Index 2023: Scotland where 64% of people aged 16–25 recorded walking or wheeling at least five days a week, suggesting that many young people are already building active travel into their daily journeys.  

Gear Up, a Healthy Valleys Social Enterprise empowering communities in Scotland through cycle loans, has seen first-hand how a bike can mean the difference between employment and unemployment. Working with Josh, they provided him an e-bike loan to help make his work commute more affordable and efficient. 

Joshua Veall, a 30-year-old Site Service team member who works at Welcome break, said: “Where I live in Leadhills, there’s very little public transport. We have a bus that comes only three times a day, so for many people, they have no choice but to drive or use a bike. Thankfully, since getting an e-bike, I’m able to get to my work quicker, for free and on time. It’s become vital for my job and without it I don’t think I’d have one right now. 

“The amount you save on public transport and fuel, is seriously significant. There are lots of people at work who are very worried about soaring fuel prices, but I feel lucky to have no worries at all. Not only has cycling given me freedom to travel affordably, but it’s also kept me in a job. That’s exactly why we need more investment in cycling to give people greater freedom to get around when fuel gets too expensive or there aren’t public transport options.” 
 
But it’s not just working class and young Scots who support measures to improve safety on roads. Two thirds (66%) of women also support increasing road safety awareness campaigns - a figure 18% higher than for men (48%). Women are also significantly more likely to support introducing reduced, calmer speeds on rural roads than men (57% vs 37%), reinforcing the importance of creating road environments where everyone feels confident travelling actively. 

These responses closely mirror the findings of Cycling UK’s ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign, which highlights the gender gap in cycling, calling for safer roads and greater protections, particularly for women who cycle. 

Ahead of the May elections, Cycling UK is asking election candidates to listen to the support from people on lower incomes, women and young people for safer roads, reduced rural speeds and more cycle lanes. The very conditions that would allow everyone to travel actively and with confidence. 

Cycling UK’s manifesto recommendations: 

1. Increase investment in active travel to at least 10% of the total transport budget within five years 
2. Safer roads for everyone 
3. More children cycling 
4. Paths to green spaces for better health 
5. Greater transport choice and connectivity for all 

Cycling UK is engaged with hundreds of electoral candidates and will continue to work closely with them to ensure they recognise the cost-of-living, environmental and health benefits of cycling. As part of this effort, the charity has produced and shared its manifesto showing political candidates what’s needed to give people in Scotland real transport choices, including cycling and walking. 

To find out more, head to: cyclinguk.org/campaigns/elections-2026