Cycling target out of reach as fewer people get on their bike
Critics call for investment switch as people put off by traffic dangers
THERE is “no way on earth” the Scottish Government can achieve its flagship cycling target of one in 10 journeys being made by bike by 2020, critics have said, as the latest travel statistics revealed a drop in cycling.
Campaigners called on ministers to plough investment into walking and cycling infrastructure instead of roads as heavy traffic was blamed for discouraging people from commuting by bike.
The SNP also came under fire for pursuing a cut in Air Passenger Duty (APD) despite air travel recording the fastest passenger growth of any mode of transport, up 22 per cent since 2010.
The Transport And Travel In Scotland report found 2.2 per cent of people “usually” cycled to work in 2015, down from 2.4 per cent in 2014.
Among those who did not, nearly one-third said they were put off by “too many cars on the road” or because “traffic travels too fast”.
It comes as the estimated volume of traffic on Scotland’s roads hit a record high in 2015.
Overall, cycling accounted for only 1.2 per cent of all journeys in 2015, down from 1.4 per cent in 2014. The dip leaves the Scottish Government with a battle to increase cycling rates more than eight-fold in five years – a task critics say is now impossible.
Dave de Feu, of Spokes, said: “With under two per cent of its transport budget allocated to cycling, the SNP manifesto’s ‘determination’ to achieve its ‘vision’ of 10 per cent of journeys by bike in 2020 is in fact a mirage. Evidence from English towns and Europe suggests 10 per cent of journeys by bike would not even be achieved by 2030 at this level of investment.”
LibDems’ transport spokesman Mike Rumbles said: “Putting a cut in APD ahead of investment in active travel is the wrong priority at a time when we are so far behind our cycling targets. The percentage of journeys taken by bike is now lower than was the case in 2011.
“Unless we see investment now there is no way the 2020 targets of 10 per cent of journeys to be taken by bike will be met.”
The Scottish Government spent 1.9 per cent of the transport budget in 2015 on pedestrian and cycle paths, but campaigners said at least 10 per cent should be ring-fenced for active travel, pointing to the example set by Edinburgh City Council. The local authority has set aside nine per cent of its transport budget for walking and cycling this year and the capital now boasts the highest cycling rates in Scotland.
Emilia Hanna, of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “If investment rates don’t change, then cycle rates won’t change. The best bit is it doesn’t require any new money from Government but rather a shift in existing spending away from building yet more roads towards healthier, active travel.”
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the long-term trend showed a rise in cycling. He added: “The Scottish Government has consistently demonstrated a strategic commitment to supporting sustainable and active travel.
“We are investing over £1 billion per year in public and sustainable transport to encourage people onto public transport and active travel modes. Compared to 2013/14, we have increased investment in active travel by over 80 per cent.”