CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14 en Mon, 18 May 2026 15:27:51 +0000 chdot on "Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8267#post-82656 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:21:00 +0000 chdot 82656@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Almost started new thread, but think this is the best place. More road spending - " Transport Scotland (@transcotland) 27/08/2012 10:13 NEWS: Ground investigations for A77 scheme get underway <a href="http://bit.ly/PgdU8C" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/PgdU8C</a> " Inc. - " The A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Improvements scheme will improve safety by introducing flyover junctions and removing the need for right hand turns across this busy road. " chdot on "Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8267#post-82654 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:09:56 +0000 chdot 82654@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Just been sent letter too. " Dear Minister for Transport, As you will know, there has been a recent surge of interest in cycling in all its forms and I know that there is a strong desire from the cycling community to see the Scottish Government's target being met, with 10% of journeys made by bike in 2020. The Cross Party Group on Cycling met in June and our main discussion was on the refresh of the Cycle Action Plan for Scotland. I have attached a list of the members of the CPG The group asked me to send a summary of key points to you as a contribution to the CAPS process. There is significant concern from across cycling groups that the current plan, while it has many positive features, is unlikely to be enough to achieve the 2020 target. Some of our member organisations have submitted views to you individually, but here are the overarching points discussed by the CPG. � The CAPS would benefit from interim targets. As with Scotland's carbon targets, this would give an indication of the trajectory we are on and the impact and merit of different policies. � The CAPS would be stronger with numbers or targets attached to the stated aim of increasing the number of 20mph streets, and to the aim of increasing the number of children receiving on-road cycle training. Xhe Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in March in favour of a target of 100% of school children being able to access on-road training by 2015. � More organisations could be brought on board and given a sense of ownership of the CAPS. There are clear opportunities for alignment with the National Walking Strategy and a clear relationship with the National Cycling Interest Group. � The issue of strict liability could be key in addressing road safety fears, and it was felt that work on this area could be sped up. � Local authorities would benefit from greater incentives to play their part in delivering the plan and committing their own funding to cycling improvements. It is clear that there are leaders and laggards among Scottish councils and more should be done to address this mixed picture. o Cycling targets could be included in local delivery targets o CAPS could require every council to have a dedicated cycle officer o In terms of political leadership, the Minister could convene a regular meeting of the 32 councillors with portfolio responsibility for transport to monitor and encourage progress. � The existing design guideline documents for cycle infrastructure would benefit from peer review and input from successful cycle friendly countries. The Danish and Dutch Cycle Embassies exist for this purpose. More could be done to ensure that every time roadworks are required for utilities or other work, cycle infrastructure is improved on streets and at junctions. � The target for 2010/11 of 8 businesses benefitting from loans for cycle friendly infrastructure such as bike parking and showers does not reflect the scale of the change needed and could be far more ambitious in future years. � Overall, there were a number of organisations and representatives who felt that the CAPS needed to be more of an evidenced plan to get us to the 10% target, with the funding to match. Each action in the plan should be assessed for the expected level of difference it will make, based on experience and evidence from elsewhere in the UK and other countries. I hope this is a useful contribution and we look forward to your comments and seeing the refreshed plan for action. Yours sincerely, Alison Johnstone MSP and Jim Eadie MSP Co-convenors Cross Party Group on Cycling SRD on "Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8267#post-82560 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:39:14 +0000 SRD 82560@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ It's a good letter isn't it? We're hoping to get it up on the POp website shortly. Roibeard on "Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8267#post-82559 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:33:09 +0000 Roibeard 82559@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Jim Eadie forwarded a letter he and Alison Johnstone have sent to Keith Brown on behalf of the Cross Party Group on Cycling. This points out (again!) that the Cycle Action Plan for Scotland is unlikely to meet the 2020 target. The final point was: Overall, there were a number of organisations and representatives who felt that the CAPS needed to be more of an evidenced plan to get us to the 10% target, with the funding to match. Some of our MSPs may only require encouragement... Robert chdot on "Spokes view on Scottish Budget 2013/14" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8267#post-82548 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 23:00:53 +0000 chdot 82548@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Yet another detailed analysis of reasons why the Scottish Government needs to change some of its policies (and spend more money on 'cycling') just to meet the targets outlined by other policies. <a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/08/scottish-budget-201314" rel="nofollow">http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/08/scottish-budget-201314</a> It's write to MSPs time again. Or hope that when Keith Brown has his quick word with Chris Hoy he'll finally get 'the message'.