The Scottish Government

Cycling framework for active travel

Closed 19 Dec 2022

Opened 26 Sep 2022

David Kernohan

(Policy Manager)

07413782967

[email protected]

Feedback updated 8 Nov 2023

For your views on the draft cycling framework and delivery plan.

The consultation was launched in September 2022 to seek views on the draft documents and to inform the final development stage. The consultation asked multiple questions seeking your views on:

  • The statements of policy context and wider active travel vision
  • Each section of the delivery plan
  • Organisations and governing bodies identified to lead delivery plan actions

We received 336 responses across a wide range of business, government, third sector stakeholders and private individuals. There was general agreement with the overall aims of the framework and areas of broad consensus where changes were recommended.

The responses to the consultation informed the final development of the framework and delivery plan. Notable changes from the draft version included:

  • Revision of the policy linkages section with additional linkages added and detailed descriptions of each in the policy annex.
  • Multiple changes to the wording and content of delivery plan actions including timescales and lead and supporting organisations.
  • Multiple additions to delivery plan sections including strengthened language around accessibility and modal shift.
  • Additional policy context section added around building in rural (and other non urban or standard) locations.
  • Multiple responses informed additional impact assessment analysis.

This Cycling Framework and Delivery Plan for Active Travel in Scotland builds on the progress made through three iterations of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) between 2010 and 2020. It reflects our aim to progress from CAPS and to develop an ambitious plan for Scotland for the next 5-10 years.

The Cycling Framework for Active Travel sets out our strategic priorities and shared actions to maximise cycling’s contribution in realising the Scottish Government’s long term Vision for Active Travel in Scotland : That Scotland’s communities are shaped around people, with walking and cycling the most popular choice for everyday short journeys.

The top priority for the achievement of our vision is for the delivery of more dedicated, high quality, safe cycling infrastructure, effectively resourced, where fair access is ensured and uptake is supported with training and education.

The actions in the delivery plan will drive forward work across National and Local Government, Business and the Third Sector, which will support the building and maintenance of a dense network of connected cycling infrastructure in every village, town and city, segregated from motor traffic, integrated with public transport, and interfacing with rural routes and the trunk road network.

While this Framework acknowledges the importance of all types of cycling, it is the Cycling Framework for Active Travel. Therefore, its focus is on increasing rates of cycling for everyday journeys. It is aligned with wider active travel outcomes including in the Scottish Government walking strategy and accessible travel framework but does not consider active travel modes other than cycling. In this context, “cycling” includes the use of e-cycles, cargo cycles, and other adapted and non-standard cycles.

This draft framwork and delivery plan has been produced in consultation with key stakeholders including active travel delivery partners, local and regional authorities. We aim to publish the framework in full by the end of this year and we're keen to hear your views before we do so.

Read the consultation paper and related assessments

  • All Framework documentation
  • Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Environment and Climate Change

Active Travel Framework

Brings together the key policy approaches to improving the uptake of walking and cycling in Scotland for travel. It has been produced collaboratively by Transport Scotland and key delivery partners, with input from Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and local authorities. Transport Scotland 2020

Paths for All

About Active Travel

Increasing levels of active travel can bring huge benefits to our communities, health and environment. , active travel simply means making journeys in physically active ways - like walking, wheeling (using a wheelchir or mobility aid), cycling, or scootering..

We aim to make active travel the natural choice for short journeys.

By supporting more people in Scotland to walk, wheel, and cycle for everyday short journeys, we will improve health, create safer communities, and reduce environmental impacts.

In 2019 seventeen per cent of journeys in Scotland were under 1 km, and more than half (54%) were under 5 km – these shorter trips offer a real opportunity for a significant shift to active travel.

The role of walking

Walking is key to getting more people choosing to not use car, it is by far the most likely mode of active travel. It is free, no equipment is required and it is ideal for shorter trips. Walking also forms an important part of public transport journeys – walking to and from buses, trams and trains. 

The positive impact of increased active travel

Reduced congestion - enabling people to choose active or sustainable travel will reduce congestion on our roads

Reduced air pollution - less car-driven journeys and more walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport are important in tackling air pollution and its negative health impacts. As well as being a part of the solution, active travel becomes more pleasant and therefore more likely to be adopted as air quality improves.

Higher quality public realm -  Improving opportunities to walk will create places and communities that are more able to adapt and be vibrant, creative, enterprising, and accessible

Better physical, mental and social health - Active travel has clear health benefits as physical activity increases, social connections are made and mental health is boosted by activity and time outdoors in nature. Active travel is an important opportunity for savings in terms of preventing ill health.

Reducing carbon emissions and helping reach net-zero carbon goals - Changing to active travel can have significant lifecycle carbon emissions benefits.  The largest benefits come from shifts from car to active travel for business, social and commuting journeys.

Economic growth and vibrant communities  - Investing in infrastructure and support for active travel can increase economic growth and vibrancy. Those walking, wheeling and cycling tend to spend more money locally than drivers. Increasing active travel can stimulate economic growth in urban areas and benefit local shops

  • It is inclusive and reduces inequalities - Accessible walking, wheeling, cycling and good public transport links can reduce inequalities by giving equal access to employment, education and other services. 

Active travel and COVID-19

The Covid crisis has had significant impacts on active travel with huge decreases in use of public transport and a greater interest in walking and cycling. At the same time many of us have been working from home and recognising the importance of our local neighbourhoods. Other people have lost fitness and confidence to reintegrate and leave their homes and have deteriorated physically.

A number of towns and cities across Scotland implemented and benefitted from a temporary emergency active travel infrastructure initiative called Spaces for People . The initiative included a widening of pavements, closing streets to vehicles or adding temporary cycle lanes.

As Scotland moves forward from the pandemic there has been an opportunity to harness the increases in active travel, support those who have struggled to stay active, and invest in sustainale transport to build a healthier, cleaner, fairer and safer nation.  

Also in this section

  • Evidence and Data
  • Active Travel Hubs
  • Encouraging Active Travel
  • Active Travel Partners

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Travel less by car

Travel Less by Car

Transport is Scotland’s biggest contributor to climate change, especially cars. To achieve net zero, not only do we need to decarbonise travel at a national level, but we all need to drive less and choose sustainable travel options. Walking, wheeling, cycling, getting the bus or using other shared transport can benefit you by making journeys more social and boost your wellbeing. 

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The big car cool off.

We are challenging drivers across Scotland to use their car less and feel good with The Big Car Cool Off.   Whether that’s improving wellbeing and spending less money on fuel by walking or wheeling to the shops, avoiding traffic and parking costs by taking public transport or catching up with a colleague on a car share to work.

A person walking with a cyclist, leaving their car at home

WHY SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL MATTERS

Transport is Scotland’s biggest contributor to climate change.

But if the coronavirus has taught us anything it’s that we can change the way we do things very quickly.

Transport Scotland monitored trends throughout the pandemic and saw significant decreases in car use, whilst Cycling Scotland also reported massive increases in the number of people cycling. A NatureScot lockdown survey saw people report health and wellbeing benefits after spending time outdoors.

Transport accounted for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021

By continuing to choose active and sustainable travel options in our everyday lives, we’ll help to tackle climate change and decrease congestion and pollution from cars, benefitting communities up and down the country with cleaner, fresher air.

Together we can all play our part to help improve Scotland’s environment and reach net zero emissions.

Of these transport emissions, 41% came from cars.

WHAT SCOTLAND IS DOING

Better roads and paths.

Scotland’s active travel vision is that by 2030 walking or cycling will be the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys.

Not only will this cut carbon emissions and other pollution, but it will give us more pleasant communities to live in, improve our health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and support sustainable economic growth. 

Funding for active travel in Scotland is now at record levels. The Scottish Government has committed to spend at least £320 million, or 10% of the total transport budget, on active travel before 2025 (up from £39 million in 2017/18). We’re investing in high-quality roads and paths across Scotland, to make it easier for people to walk, wheel, and cycle to where they need to go.

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Better roads

20 Minute Neighbourhoods

We’re working to develop ‘20 minute neighbourhoods’, which means people being able to meet most of their essential needs – such as leisure activities, school, healthcare, and ideally work – all within a 20 minute walk.

Minute neighbourhoods

Over 2.3 million people in Scotland – including everyone under 22, those 60 and over, and people with disabilities – can now benefit from free bus travel, saving money and the planet.

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We're working towards decarbonising buses, HGVs, ferries, rail travel, and scheduled flights within Scotland, to help tackle the climate emergency.

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Find workplace support and resources on Active Travel

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Transform Scotland

Transform Scotland

Putting Down Routes: New report provides blueprint for delivering Scottish ‘Active Freeway’ network

7 October 2021

by Transform Scotland

NEWS RELEASE Thursday 7 October 2021

PUTTING DOWN ROUTES: New report provides blueprint for delivering Scottish ‘Active Freeway’ network

Transform Scotland, the national sustainable transport alliance, has today (Thursday 7 October) published ‘Putting Down Routes’.  Our new report builds upon the inclusion of Active Freeways within the Scottish Government and Scottish Greens’ shared programme for government. It provides a blueprint for developing a strategic network of Active Freeways across Scotland, and draws on UK and European experience to identify how the network can be successfully designed and implemented.

Report author Jolin Warren , and Transform Scotland spokesperson, said:

“Scotland urgently needs a network of active travel routes for local journeys. The Scottish Government’s proposed Active Freeway network is a good start but to provide the necessary change, it needs to be comprehensive, cover all of Scotland, and be built quickly.

“Scotland has struggled to meet its active travel targets, and this can largely be attributed to the lack of safe infrastructure. Therefore, the Active Freeway network must provide safe routes that connect communities with their places of work and education, local services, and leisure facilities. This will allow everyone to make short and medium everyday trips by walking, wheeling and cycling.”

The report examines the examples of two networks in Germany and Belgium that demonstrate what a comprehensive Active Freeway network can look like and how it can be developed. These examples could serve as inspiration for our own ambitions here in Scotland.

Scottish Government Minister for Active Travel, Patrick Harvie MSP , said:

“This report from Transform Scotland is very welcome, and we’ll be looking carefully at its recommendations as we work on the Strategic Transport Projects Review and our ongoing review of transport governance.

“Active Freeways were recommended in Phase 1 of Strategic Transport Projects Review and we have already committed £50 million to identify and build high quality inclusive and segregated cycling routes on main travel corridors to our city and town centres.

“Transform Scotland’s work, alongside other views, will help us decide how to take forward our commitments to make real progress on infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling.”

John Lauder , Deputy CEO, Sustrans and Executive Director, Scotland, said:

“Active Travel already greatly contributes to the nation’s health and wellbeing, to achieving our climate commitments, and to our economy. However, the lack of high quality active travel infrastructure in many communities prevents people from making their journeys by walking, wheeling, and cycling. Quality is not just about the number of routes.  These routes must be part of a continuous network that is easy to find, safe and supported by a wider network of quiet routes.  

“We were pleased that Active Freeways now have the strong backing of the Scottish Government, and that this has been accompanied by a commitment to invest in active travel at record levels. We look forward to working with local and national governments in moving forward the swift delivery of an Active Freeway network that will benefit the whole country.

“Sustrans Scotland welcomes the new report from Transform Scotland, which will certainly contribute to the formulation of what Active Freeways will look like and highlights the many benefits that they will bring.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Transform Scotland

Transform Scotland is the national alliance for sustainable transport, bringing together organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors. See < http://transformscotland.org.uk/who-we-are/our-members/ > for details.

[2] ‘Putting Down Routes’ report

Our new report recommends that Active Freeways:

* Be planned and built as a strategic network to current design standards, with Transport Scotland responsible for delivery. * Be developed as an Active Freeway Programme by Transport Scotland, analogous to the roads programme, and be built and planned with urgency and commitment. * Incorporate existing paths and routes where appropriate. * Be provided with sufficient and secure funding for construction and maintenance. * Be provided with a legal basis that ensures ongoing maintenance and adaptation of the network. * Use consistent, unified signage, branding, and waymarking so it is easy to follow routes without pre-planning.

END OF NEWS RELEASE

'Putting Down Routes' report

External Links

'What are Active Freeways, and why do we need them?' video

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Scottish government invests £20 million in active travel infrastructure

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Posted: 8 June 2023 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

Provided through the Active Travel Transformation Fund, the £20 million funding will be utilised to facilitate the implementation of ambitious active travel infrastructure projects across Scotland in partnership with local authorities.

Scottish government invests £20 million in active travel infrastructure

Credit: Transport Scotland

The Scottish government has announced that it has allocated £20 million as part of its active travel funding for 2023/24 to enhance walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday transportation. The Active Travel Transformation Fund will directly provide the investment to local authorities, regional transport partnerships and national park authorities in collaboration with Transport Scotland. This funding aims to support the implementation of ambitious active travel infrastructure projects throughout Scotland.

“I am delighted to announce our latest £20 million investment through the Active Travel Transformation Fund. We’ve worked closely with local authorities to ensure this new approach works for them – making it easier to deliver more ambitious infrastructure projects faster than ever before,” said Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie. 

The Scottish government’s target is to allocate at least £320 million or 10% of the transport budget to active travel by 2024/25, re-affirming its dedication to sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options.

Scottish Government publishes plan to boost cycling

Glasgow City Council and Convener for Transport Councillor Angus Millar said: “It’s great to see the Scottish government backing our plans to deliver safe and comprehensive active travel infrastructure for Glasgow. All of our projects aim to provide improved public spaces that support active travel and public transport so we can move away from relying on the vehicles that fuel climate change. The push to develop the Connecting Battlefield project, in particular, will ensure safer, segregated cycling infrastructure all the way from the community, along the South City Way and into the city centre.”

The new £20 million fund, in addition to the existing funds like Cycling Walking Safer Routes with an annual budget of £35 million and ongoing support for Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, contributes to the Active Travel Transformation Fund . This particular fund is dedicated to assisting local authorities in strengthening their capabilities and speed, ensuring that the increased investment translates into tangible changes in communities.

If you liked this, you may also be interested in: 

▶ Greater Manchester commits to Vision Zero road safety

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Related topics Accessibility , Active travel , Passenger Experience , Sustainable Urban Transport

Related modes Bikes & Scooters

Related countries Scotland , United Kingdom

Related organisations Glasgow City Council , Scottish Government , Transport Scotland

Related people Angus Millar , Patrick Harvie

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Health impact scoping of active travel strategy guidance

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This is a report of a health impact assessment scoping exercise, held on 11 October 2021, to inform a revised version of the Sustrans and Transport Scotland Active Travel Guidance 2014. It has been produced to support local authorities in the development of their own cycling or active travel strategies guidance.

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Active travel in Scotland – save money and improve your health

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Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland .

Active travel involves getting around in a physically active manner, whether it’s by walking, wheeling, or cycling. It’s a healthy and ecofriendly way to travel, taking care of your wellbeing while being kind to the environment and your wallet.  

The Scottish Government is committed to making active travel the go-to choice for everyday short journeys by 2030, as outlined in their active travel framework . 

Read on to learn more about the benefits of active travel and the funding available to help you get started. 

The benefits of active travel

1. active travel saves you money.

In the UK, everything is getting more expensive due to the cost of living crisis – from energy to food to travel – putting extra strain on people’s budgets. One of the main benefits of choosing active travel is that it’s not just a lifestyle choice, it’s also a smart money move.  

For instance, the average Scottish driver spends £20 a week on fuel – imagine what else you could do with that money. By ditching your car, you also reduce expenses like vehicle tax, maintenance and insurance costs, which add up to around £969 per year. So, go ahead and grab yourself some trainers or a cycle and start saving. 

2. Active travel makes you healthier

Incorporating active travel into your daily routine doesn’t just get you from point A to point B – it also unlocks a range of health benefits. Regular physical activity is linked to: 

  • lower mortality rates 
  • a reduced risk of heart problems 
  • decreased chances of experiencing depression 

These advantages span across all age groups, supporting children in maintaining a healthy weight and acting as a safeguard against hip fractures as we age (Sustrans, 2017). 

Health benefits diagram

Source: this diagram is an adaptation of a government diagram available from GOV.UK . 

3. Active travel improves air quality

In Scotland, transport is the biggest contributor to climate change, responsible for over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. And cars alone contribute 41% to transport emissions. By reducing our reliance on daily car journeys, we’re not just reducing congestion. It’s a direct route to a healthier, fairer, and greener Scotland (Net Zero Nation, 2023). 

The NHS considers air pollution to be the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK. Choosing to walk or cycle instead of drive is a simple but impactful solution. Each time you chose active travel you’ll save an average of 270g in carbon (CO2) emissions per mile. And replacing car journeys with public buses goes even further, reducing CO2 emissions by 43%.  

As we take these steps towards a cleaner future, we play a crucial role in shaping Scotland’s environment and moving closer to the goal of achieving net zero emissions. 

An individual carrying groceries while strolling home under a blue sky.

What funding is available for active travel in Scotland?

Making the transition to active travel has never been more accessible. The Scottish Government provides funding for eligible households through grants administered by us. You can get: 

  • A £2,000 cash grant for scrapping an older vehicle. 
  • Up to £1,000 towards the cost of active or shared travel options through the Travel Better grant.  

For more information, or to see if you’re eligible, find out more about the mobility and scrappage fund .   

Hear from Scottish residents who’ve embraced active travel

Learn from three individuals who’ve transitioned to active travel and other sustainable modes of transport thanks to the mobility and scrappage fund: 

Adopting active travel in Scotland has real benefits. It saves you money, improves your health, and contributes to a cleaner environment. With the Scottish Government’s support and accessible funding, making the switch has never been easier. So, whether walking, wheeling or cycling, it’s a smart move for your wallet, your wellbeing, and the planet. 

Sustrans (2017). The contribution of active travel to health improvement . 

Net Zero Nation (2023). Travel less by car . 

If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the mobility and scrappage fund, you may be interested in the following options to buy an ebike or electric vehicle: 

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Low emission zone support fund for households, used electric vehicle loan.

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Active Travel transformation

Commitment has been made for a generational shift in funding for active travel over this Parliament. The Scottish Government announced record funding for active travel in its draft budget proposal for 2023-24, with almost £190m allocated for active travel, and through the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government  and the Scottish Green Party in 2021, it was agreed that at least £320m or 10% of the total transport budget will be allocated to active travel by 2024-25.

This record level of funding underscores the need to ensure that our delivery practices maximise outcomes and provide infrastructure at the pace and scale we need for transformational change.

An Active Travel Transformation Project was set up to assess the current delivery model and develop proposals for an alternative holistic system for active travel delivery, and make recommendations on the delivery model required to implement this system.

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School transport guidance 2021

This document updates the guidance to local authorities about the provision of school transport and replaces the School Transport Guidance Circular issued in 2003 (Circular No 7/2003 ).

Section 5 - Promoting greener, healthier travel choices

5.1 - active travel.

64. The Scottish Government is committed to a long term vision for active travel [32] that encourages promotes walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing in preference to single occupancy car use for movement of people, and encourages efficient and sustainable freight.

65. Support is available through a variety of initiatives, such as:

  • Safer Routes to Schools - Sustrans [33] will help fund and deliver improvements to school routes to make them safer and better places for people to walk and cycle
  • Bikeability [34] - Cycling Scotland deliver cycling training to school children to give then the skills and confidence needed to cycle safely to school
  • WOW [35] (Walk Once a Week) is a programme run by Living Streets that encourages and rewards children to walk to school
  • I Bike – a series of interventions at local authority school clusters to support and encourage cycling to school
  • Cycle / Scooter storage – Sustrans provide grants to allow schools to build secure cycle and scooter parking areas

5.2 - Road Safety Scotland

66. Road Safety Scotland [36] , in its education function, has developed a suite of learning resources for 3-18 year-olds made freely available across Scotland. In collaboration with the Scottish Government's Marketing and Insight Unit and a number of partner agencies, it also ensures that major at-risk groups or behaviours are tackled through publicity and/or social marketing campaigns.

67. Road Safety Scotland develops and maintains high-quality resources written by teachers for teachers and linked to Curriculum for Excellence, made available online to allow access to resources for use with children and young people aged 3-18. These include:

  • For Early Years, the 'Out and About' buggy book for 0-3 years and 'Go Safe with Ziggy' resource for 3-6 years;
  • For Primary (First and Second Levels), 'Streetsense2' and the 'Junior Road Safety Officer' scheme, which operates in most of the 32 local authorities across Scotland;
  • For Lower Secondary (Third and Fourth Level), the main resource is 'Your Call';
  • For Upper Secondary (Senior Phase), the main resource is 'Crash Magnets'.
  • Additional digital resources include: a section of the website for pedestrians with additional support needs; a section for those about to embark on a driving career; a reaction timer; and an app which uses a gaming platform to enhance child pedestrian training.

68. Current or planned social marketing activities includes campaigns relating to speeding; country roads; motorcyclists; young drivers; drink-driving; drug-driving; fatigue; seatbelts and driver distraction.

69. Road Safety Scotland also produces leaflets aimed at parents of young or new drivers and is a key partner in the Scottish Good Egg In-car Safety Campaign, which seeks to ensure that all children travelling in cars are properly restrained.

5.3 - Eco-Schools

70. The Eco-Schools Scotland programme comprises seven elements incorporating eight environmental topics, one of which is transport. [37] Participating schools can apply for a bronze, silver or green award, depending on how many of the seven elements they have achieved.

71. Objectives of the transport topic can include:

  • encouraging and enabling parents and children to walk, cycle and use public transport;
  • setting up a working group with school, parent, local authority, community, police, and transport representatives to run a school travel or 'safer routes to school' project;
  • writing and implementing a school travel plan;
  • running an effective road safety awareness programme for pupils;
  • raising awareness of the damage caused by transport to the environment and people's health, and;
  • providing adequate support and information about travelling to school for pupils and staff who wish to walk, cycle or use public transport.

5.4 - Clean air

72. Not only does reliance on private cars contribute significantly to traffic congestion, it also has an impact on overall levels of air pollution. All but two of the current Air Quality Management Areas in Scotland have been declared on the basis of transport-related emissions of air pollutants, and any reduction in private car/vehicle use for travel to school could play a useful role in improving local air quality.

73. Vehicle idling outside schools whilst dropping off or picking up pupils also has air quality implications. Under regulation 98 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 [38] it is an offence to leave the engine of a parked vehicle running unnecessarily. The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 [39] provide local authorities with powers to enforce this legislation and to issue fixed penalties to drivers of parked vehicles who refuse to comply. The Scottish Government has issued guidance to local authorities on making use of these powers. [40]

74. 'Switch Off and Breathe', an initiative operated by the East Central Scotland Vehicle Emissions Partnership, provides useful information and guidance on air pollution for members of the public. The Partnership's website has a section dedicated to schools, with a particular focus on discouraging idling in the vicinity of schools. [41]

75. Further air quality information developed specifically for schools is available on the websites for Air Quality in Scotland [42] and SEPA [43] , and the Scottish Government's overall approach to air quality policy is set out in its air quality strategy 'Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – Towards a Better Place for Everyone'. [44]

5.5 - Zero Emission Transport

76. The transport sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Scotland. In the context of a global climate emergency, and youth climate strikes taking place across Scotland and the world, the Scottish Parliament set legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gases by 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2045, compared to 1990 levels [45] .

77. As the average life of a new diesel vehicle is around 15 years, action needs to be taken now to ensure Scotland meets its climate targets and ends Scotland's contribution to climate change. Local Authorities have a key role to play and are working to reduce corporate emissions as well as taking action locally through the range of services they deliver and procure. Local Authorities are encouraged to consider ways to remove greenhouse gas emissions from school transport, recognising the public sector is a significant consumer and therefore local policy is an important factor for influencing vehicle choice among operators. Zero-emission buses are increasingly price competitive with their diesel counterparts over their whole lives and that this trend is expected to continue.

5.6 - Planning for new schools

78. The Scottish Government publishes a range of guidance for local authorities to help promote well-designed schools. The publication 'Learning Estate Strategy' [46] - and its guiding principles provide a platform for investment in the learning estate across Scotland and set out our strategic approach for managing the learning estate, including consideration of the transport needs of local communities who will use the school site.

79. The Scottish Government has also published guidance for local authorities reporting on the condition [47] and suitability [48] of the school estate. These documents seek to further improve the consistency and robustness of the reporting of the Condition and Suitability Schools Core Facts data.

80. Scottish Futures Trust [49] and Architecture and Design Scotland [50] have produced a wealth of information available for use when planning for new schools. The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 [51] was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2019. This will determine the future structure of the modernised planning system.

6.1 - Coronavirus Pandemic

81. Guidance for local authorities, schools and transport operators on requirements during the Coronavirus pandemic is available on gov.scot [52]

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Scottish Borders Council home

Active Travel

Active travel, what is active travel.

Active travel is journeys made by modes of transport that are fully or partially people-powered. The purpose of the journey doesn’t matter.

It includes walking, people using wheelchairs, cycling (including e-bikes) and horse riding to name a just a few.

Our commitment to increasing active travel

We recognise the importance of active travel in supporting economic development, improving health, reducing car use and meeting our carbon goals for the climate emergenc

We are currently involved in various projects and collaborations which aim to increase and support active travel:

  • Borders Greenway - a new long distance shared access path between Tweedbank and Eyemouth.
  • Extending the active travel route from Peebles to Penicuik
  • Maintaining the existing active travel network, including our multi-use paths network
  • Partnership work with South of Scotland Enterprise to look for new opportunities for active travel to bring economic and community benefits for the area
  • Supporting local partnerships, including Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBins), community groups and Cycling Scotland to name a few.
  • Running a series of behaviour change projects across the Scottish Borders led by our Outdoor Education team

Active Travel Strategy

While continuing with those projects above, we are in the process of developing an Active Travel Strategy in partnership with Sustrans to support our continued active travel development.

This document, which will be subject to public consultation in early 2024, will form the structure by which we aim to increase active travel in the coming years. It will help provide a consistent and communicated approach to achieve maximum benefits for our residents and communities.

More information

More details of the strategy and ongoing projects will be added to our website in the coming months.

In the meantime, if you would like more information, or would like to get involved in shaping our Active Travel Strategy, please contact Active Travel Officer Maurizio Carlino-Rackett at [email protected]

IMAGES

  1. Active travel fund boosted as part of Scottish Transport Transition Plan

    transport scotland active travel

  2. Sustainable travel and the National Transport Strategy

    transport scotland active travel

  3. Active travel

    transport scotland active travel

  4. Active Travel Framework

    transport scotland active travel

  5. Discover great ways to experience some of the best places in Scotland

    transport scotland active travel

  6. Scotland in Focus: First active travel ‘153’ unveiled

    transport scotland active travel

COMMENTS

  1. Active travel

    Transport Scotland is committed to increasing levels of walking, wheeling and cycling for transport and leisure. Photo courtesy of Sustrans Scotland. Developing an Active Nation. Read about our commitment to Active Travel including how we work with partners and fund projects throughout Scotland. Walking and cycling policy.

  2. Active Travel Framework

    The Active Travel Framework brings together the key policy approaches to improving the uptake of walking and cycling in Scotland for travel. It has been produced collaboratively by Transport Scotland and key delivery partners, with input from Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and local authorities. Drawing on the long-term shared vision ...

  3. Active Travel

    The framework supports the 2030 Active Travel Vision - where walking, wheeling and cycling is the most popular mode of transport for shorter everyday journeys. It will shape how government, councils and active travel organisations deliver improvements. Transport Scotland, Scottish Government 2023

  4. Active Travel Policy

    A Long-term Vision for Active Travel in Scotland 2030. Published in 2014, A Long-term Vision for Active Travel in Scotland 2030 sets out how Transport Scotland hopes Scotland will look in 2030 if more people are walking and cycling for short, everyday journeys allowing us to reap the benefits of active travel. The Active Travel Framework

  5. Cycling framework for active travel

    Overview. This Cycling Framework and Delivery Plan for Active Travel in Scotland builds on the progress made through three iterations of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) between 2010 and 2020. It reflects our aim to progress from CAPS and to develop an ambitious plan for Scotland for the next 5-10 years.

  6. Active Travel Framework

    Active Travel Framework Brings together the key policy approaches to improving the uptake of walking and cycling in Scotland for travel. It has been produced collaboratively by Transport Scotland and key delivery partners, with input from Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and local authorities.

  7. About Active Travel

    Active travel is an important opportunity for savings in terms of preventing ill health. ... As Scotland moves forward from the pandemic there has been an opportunity to harness the increases in active travel, support those who have struggled to stay active, and invest in sustainale transport to build a healthier, cleaner, fairer and safer nation.

  8. Active travel in the west of Scotland

    The Active Travel Strategy will help to deliver A Call to Action, the regional transport strategy (RTS) for 2023-2038 .The principles behind the development of the Active Travel Strategy are underpinned by the Scottish Government's National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2), which are to ensure "we will have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier ...

  9. Active & Sustainable Travel

    Particularly in urban settings, the commitments aim to reduce reliance on cars and make active, public, and shared transport the travel modes of choice. One key policy action is to significantly reduce car travel. In January 2022, Transport Scotland published 'A route map to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030'.

  10. Active Travel Strategies

    PDF version. The new Cycling Framework has highlighted the need for Active Travel Strategies in all cases where active travel funding infrastructure funding is being sought. This guidance will support applicants in how best to complete an Active Travel Strategy, and should be read in conjunction with Local Transport Strategy guidance.

  11. Travel Less by Car

    The Scottish Government has committed to spend at least £320 million, or 10% of the total transport budget, on active travel before 2025 (up from £39 million in 2017/18). We're investing in high-quality roads and paths across Scotland, to make it easier for people to walk, wheel, and cycle to where they need to go. Find out more.

  12. Putting Down Routes: New report provides blueprint ...

    "Scotland urgently needs a network of active travel routes for local journeys. The Scottish Government's proposed Active Freeway network is a good start but to provide the necessary change, it needs to be comprehensive, cover all of Scotland, and be built quickly. ... * Be developed as an Active Freeway Programme by Transport Scotland ...

  13. Scottish government invests £20 million in active travel infrastructure

    The Scottish government has announced that it has allocated £20 million as part of its active travel funding for 2023/24 to enhance walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday transportation. The Active Travel Transformation Fund will directly provide the investment to local authorities, regional transport partnerships and national park authorities in collaboration with Transport Scotland.

  14. Responding to the climate emergency

    increase the proportion of Transport Scotland's budget spent on Active Travel initiatives so that by 2024-25 at least £320m or 10% of the total transport budget will be allocated to active travel; during this parliamentary session, invest over £5 billion in maintaining, improving and decarbonising Scotland's rail network

  15. Home

    Your one-stop shop for active and sustainable travel information. Getting Started. Latest Posts. Survey on business perceptions of active travel . ... Way to Work Scotland is funded by Transport Scotland and managed by Sustrans Scotland on behalf of the Way to Work Delivery Group. Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (number ...

  16. Active Travel Framework

    Active Travel Framework. ISBN 978-1-911582-86-1. This document is also available in pdf format (415k) Errata. An errata was published on 07/01/2021. A small change was made to Annex A at paragraph 2. The pdf and html have both been updated within the document to reflect this change. Contents

  17. Health impact scoping of active travel strategy guidance

    This is a report of a health impact assessment scoping exercise, held on 11 October 2021, to inform a revised version of the Sustrans and Transport Scotland Active Travel Guidance 2014. It has been produced to support local authorities in the development of their own cycling or active travel strategies guidance.

  18. Active travel in Scotland

    In Scotland, transport is the biggest contributor to climate change, responsible for over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. And cars alone contribute 41% to transport emissions. ... Adopting active travel in Scotland has real benefits. It saves you money, improves your health, and contributes to a cleaner environment. With the Scottish ...

  19. Active Travel transformation

    The Scottish Government announced record funding for active travel in its draft budget proposal for 2023-24, with almost £190m allocated for active travel, and through the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party in 2021, it was agreed that at least £320m or 10% of the total transport budget will be ...

  20. School transport guidance 2021

    Section 5 - Promoting greener, healthier travel choices 5.1 - Active Travel. 64. The Scottish Government is committed to a long term vision for active travel that encourages promotes walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing in preference to single occupancy car use for movement of people, and encourages efficient and sustainable freight.. 65.

  21. Active travel

    What is active travel? Active travel is journeys made by modes of transport that are fully or partially people-powered. The purpose of the journey doesn't matter. ... Supporting local partnerships, including Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBins), community groups and Cycling Scotland to name a few.