On Sunday 08 October Walk Cycle Vote supporters gathered outside the SNP conference venue in Glasgow. The photo above shows a young cycle enthusiast offering the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, a piece of Rocky Road Cake in grateful recognition of the doubling of the active travel budget. His mum is looking on, as were several GoBike members, plus Pedal on Parliament supporters and other active travel activists. Anna Richardson, Glasgow City Council’s Convenor for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction was there as was John Lauder, Director of Sustrans Scotland and Richard Dixon of Friends of the Earth Scotland. The minister took the time to talk to just about everyone who was there and we look forward to seeing the effects of the budget increase sometime soon.
Glasgow – Woodside Mini-Holland project wins Community Links PLUS funding!
We have just been sent this good news from Glasgow City Councll, which makes a refreshing change from our earlier post about Dowanhill!
“Woodside Mini-Holland Update
Glasgow City Council is delighted to announce that the ‘Woodside Mini-Holland project’ has been successful in winning the Community Links PLUS competition facilitated by Transport Scotland and Sustrans.
The Woodside Mini Holland bid proposes to improve walking and cycling including the creation of a Dutch style cycle-friendly area using a combination of hard infrastructure and softer measures to increase the attractiveness of everyday active travel and creating better streets and places for people. The project will see some £8m spent on transforming the Woodside Area.
The project is considered as having four main elements:
- Place. Enhancing the road environment is vital to making this area a lucrative place to visit and attractive to pass through.
- Segregated cycle tracks. Safe, dedicated cycle tracks, more attractive pedestrian space and excellent public transport connections.
- Permeability and Connectivity for the Woodside area
- Outreach work. At least 5% of the project budget will be allocated for outreach activities aimed at encouraging active and sustainable travel, working closely with partners and community organisations.
We will be in touch in due course to keep you informed and advise how you can contribute to the design.
Please share with family and friends or have them email the project team if they would like to be added to the Woodside Mini-Holland mailing list. The email address, if you wish to get updates direct is: SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk
Kind Regards
WMH Team
Glasgow – UK Council of the Year 2015″
Almost October, time for the GoBike monthly ride – the Kilmacolm circular
Yes, the first Sunday of the month is the day for our intriguing and somewhat offbeat ride out around Glasgow.
Andy Preece will be leading this ride; further details of GoBike rides are on the Rides page of our website
Sunday 1 October – Kilmacolm Circular
We shall head out mostly on minor roads through Paisley, Linwood and Houston to Kilmacolm. After lunch, we’ll return to Paisley via the NCN75 path to visit a few more of the town’s attractions to be seen along the way, before continuing onwards to Glasgow.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
Rated:
An Introduction to the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Task Force
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Roy Brannen, CEO of Transport Scotland (Chair)
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James Fowlie, Director of Integration and Development at The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
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George Eckton, Partnership Director of Sestran, representing Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs)
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Derick Murray, Director of Nestrans, representing the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS)
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Daisy Narayanan, Deputy Director of Sustrans Scotland, representing third sector active travel delivery partners (me!)
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Bears Way, East Dunbartonshire
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Holmstone Road, Ayrshire
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East-West route, Edinburgh
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Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire
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Broad Street, Aberdeen
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Barriers need to be identified – local, national, legislative and cultural – however, we need to remember that there have been positive steps and we don’t need to start from scratch.
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There is a lot of ongoing work with the Planning review, NTS and STPR refresh, Climate Change Plan. The timing of the Task Force work should be integrated with these.
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A lot of discussion on ‘active travel’ – but what does it really mean?
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There seems to be agreement that narrative needs to change from walking and cycling to quality of life/quality of place. A powerful way to give politicians (both local and national) support would be to approach it from the public health angle.
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There needs to be more visible leadership at both the national and local levels.
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We need to look at future technologies with respect to urban mobility and integrated smart cities rather than assume that car ownership/the way cars are used will remain the same.
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Community Engagement: How does one capture ALL voices? How do you reach the middle ground and avoid the loud minority groups?
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Evidence: Stats vs. stories. Businesses need to be better engaged.
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Processes: Transport and Planning need to be more joined up. Processes need to be simplified.
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Standards of design and quality of infrastructure – do LAs need more clear guidance?
Calling all women – Women’s Cycle Forum AGM, Glasgow, Saturday 19 August, 4-6pm
Yes, the Women’s Cycle Forum Scotland is holding its AGM at the Women’s Library in Landressy Street, Bridgeton on Saturday 19 August from 4pm – 6pm, and men are welcome too, as well as all you women out there, who cycle or wish to cycle.
See the link above for details, and do please register if you are going, but there are 3 great speakers lined up:
- Daisy Narayanan, Deputy Director for Built Environment at Sustrans Scotland.
- Anna Richardson, City Convenor for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, Glasgow, and
- Alex Feechan, founder of Findra Clothing.