CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
"you don’t want to just turn up at photo calls on a bike"
(10 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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But investing in the whole country’s infrastructure is a priority for the government and that’s across road, rail, aviation and ferries.”
And in that order - road first. And only the 'big' stuff that matters.
No mention of cycling infrastructure. No mention of pedestrian infrastructure.
Posted 9 years ago # -
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I think I’ll get an upgrade and as soon as I can afford it
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Who is he trying to kid!
Worth a read, several interesting bits plus the usual 'we have to balance things' nonsense.
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But the transport investment is massive and within that context I’ve been increasing the active travel budget. I understand active travel campaigners will always ask for more, and they’re entitled to do that. But investing in the whole country’s infrastructure is a priority for the government and that’s across road, rail, aviation and ferries.”
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Posted 9 years ago # -
The Scottish Government doesn't seem to have any qualms about issuing centralised dictats regarding police, firefighting service, over-riding local planning decisions but the idea of rolling out a nation-wide default 20mph urban speed limit seems to be beyond the pale.
But good he's planning on cycling more, maybe he will "get" the need for segregated provision.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Pff. There are footways across the whole country, too.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I understand active travel campaigners will always ask for more
Because the roads lobby never ask for more. They're always grateful and happy with what they get. It's only these whinging cyclists...
Posted 9 years ago # -
I was slightly mislead by "you don’t want to just turn up at photo calls on a bike" - a fuller quote is "I’ve actually enjoyed it because you don’t want to just turn up at photo calls on a bike – I want to be on the road on a bike [and] enjoy the experience that other cyclists do."
However...
"a government goal to have 10 per cent of journeys being made by bike by 2020....is not a target – it’s an ambition”
I think that's pretty official, then.Posted 9 years ago # -
"No mention of cycling infrastructure. No mention of pedestrian infrastructure."
Which of course is *nothing* to do with him. It's up to LAs, which is why he would like more to do what CEC is doing on 20mph.
I think the time is coming when the 'centralising tendencies' and the 'free LAs to make their own decisions' will be shown to be somewhat disingenuous unless SG actually changes the way LAs are funded or just gives them more money.
Those are the sort of things that should be key discussions/manifesto pledges for next year's election, but SNP policies don't seem to be about to change and I don't think Labour is ready for 'vote for us and pay more Council Tax'.
BUT as they are not going to be the next SG, they ought to be willing to be a bit more imaginative/bold!
Posted 9 years ago # -
I don't really care how the Transport Minister chooses to travel. He could get to work on a nuclear powered space hopper for all I care. I do care about the decisions he makes though. The Scottish Government continues to prioritise long-term funding for trunk road dualling and expansion over any other transport expenditure.
Meanwhile, annual cycle funding bumps along at a derisory rate, with no long term investment plan and funds often allocated at the last minute - usually after frantic lobbying by cycling groups.
The bit about not telling local authorities what to do is bunkum, e.g. just in the last week the SG has proposed Scotland-wide primary school testing - which seems to be roundly opposed by education experts, teachers and local authorities.
As for there being on evidence of the need for bus regulation, that's just BS*.
* - Brian Souter.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Derek's a chancer. Green it is for the regional list next year! I'll probably spoil my constituency ballot, unless the Greens stand. The only way I can imagine voting SNP or Labour is if the candidate was somebody like Jim Eadie or Sarah Boyack.
Posted 9 years ago #
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