CYCLING
ISSUES IN THE HIGHLANDS
The usual perception of travel in the Highlands is that it involves long journeys and is heavily dependent on car use.
However, Government figures show that 7 out of 8 Highland areas have cycle-to-work rates above the National Average. In Inverness area it is 6% (high by UK standards - Inverness town is almost certainly higher - estimated 8-10%). This is not surprising when we see that 60% of Highland workers live within 2.5 miles of work and 30% of Highland households have no access to a car.
The encouragement of cycling has great potential for improving health of individuals and the environment and reducing costs to health authorities and business. We believe it is vital for MSPs to support the positive moves made by the current administration so far but also to urge for further funding and initiatives.
Below are listed the means by which we believe that improved cycling levels will be achieved in the Highlands and, in all probability, the rest of Scotland.
1.
Provision of first class journey-end facilities at businesses,
shops, colleges, schools, transport interchanges (e.g. train
stations) and all trip-generating premises. For example these
might include appropriate secure sheltered parking/storage, and
washing and changing facilities.
2.
Safe Routes in Urban areas including small towns to all
destinations (we welcome the recent funding for Safe Routes to
Schools - we urge our MSPs to ensure this continues year on year).
3.
Ensure that the whole of society has access to the destinations
listed in 1 above by means of foot or cycle.
4.
Application of the excellent Cycle by Design guidance from the
Scottish Executive. We are concerned that the philosophy of the
Cycle Audit within this document should be properly conveyed to
trunk roads route managers.
5. Safe Rural links between villages and main towns, including segregated cycle facilities where necessary. The Moray Firth region is an excellent example of closely spaced linear villages that would greatly benefit from improved links (e.g. such as the exemplary work of Sustrans).