"
When I compare where we are now to 12 months ago they have really changed. I can understand everyone being cynical and be like “yeah we have heard it all before” and we have, but we are on the edge of proper numbers and allocated funds, long-term commitment and targets. And we are really close. And as soon as one of the major parties gets on board then we can beat the others over the head with it.
We know it has to be meaningful. Even the pro cycle MPs are mired in a political environment. When the road narrows, the cycle lane disappears so it could be a vote loser. But culture change is always slow and it’s always painful.
What are the chances of success?
I think we’ll do it. In the last six months we’ve been to everyone at a ministerial level to the Department for Transport and the Department for Health, all of them right down to local level – we have loads of people who are ready to go. The DfT said they have the money. All it needs is the political leader to say ‘do it’ and all those people will spring into action, but right now no one feels empowered to make a significant change.
"
From an interview with Chris Boardman in December BikeBiz (p16)
http://www.bikebiz.com/product/index/download/id/41
Of course he has been dealing (understandably) with English Depts/officials/MPs, but his optimism is encouraging.
Scottish Governments have been ahead of UK ones on things like the smoking ban and drink driving limits.
It's possible that the 2015 SNP manifesto could be the best on cycling - not least because they won't actually be the UK Government (probably not even as part of a formal coalition).
As Health and Transport are devolved, they might not even be mentioned in Westminster manifesto.
It's possible that the 2016 SNP manifesto could be the best on cycling.
Just seems SO unlikely. Presumably the Greens will propose the most on ActiveTravel etc., so the SNP's could/should be second best - but that is far from certain.
They really don't 'get' the benefit of investing (more) Transport and Health money to help create a 'fairer and healthier Scotland'.