Scottish Green party condemns cut in cycle routes funding
The Scottish Green Party has urged ministers to make Scotland a cycle-friendly nation'' by rethinking proposed plans to cut spending on safe walking and cycling routes to schools.
Cycling, walking and safe routes funding for local authorities will be cut by £2.1 million, while spending on motorways and trunk roads is to increase by £125.5 million, according to figures collected by the party from the draft 2016/17 budget released earlier this month.
The Greens believe this is an indication that the Scottish Government is not prioritising cycling and walking, despite the benefits these have with regards to public health.
The party also questioned the Government's refusal to provide a single budget line making clear what it is spending on cycling and said that sustainable and active travel'' will only comprise 1.6% of the entire £2.2 billion transport budget. Scottish Greens believe walking and cycling infrastructure should comprise nearer 10% of that budget.
Alison Johnstone, health spokeswoman for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: Christmas will have seen a fleet of new bicycles delivered to households across Scotland but in many places we don't have the infrastructure to truly make cycling a safe and enjoyable part of everyday life.
By leaving funding flat, while pumping up spending on new trunk roads and motorways, the Scottish Government is making clear that cycling and walking is not a priority despite the benefits to health and people's pockets, and despite public demand.
We have to remember that transport is a social justice issue. Not everyone has the money to, or wants to rely on a private car to get to places and many people would prefer increased investment in cycling, walking and public transport.
I led Holyrood's first debate on cycling, almost four years ago, with the parliament reaffirming the Scottish Government's target of 10% of journeys by bike by 2020, yet we're still at only 1%. I will continue to press the case for a transformation in funding priorities. Scotland can become a cycle-friendly nation but we need Holyrood to be bolder.''