20mph default limit in residential areas would encourage everyday journeys by bike
Mark Ruskell MSP, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (18 Jan) hit out at the "tired, old, reheated" ideas put forward by the Scottish Government's transport agency as it looks set to fail its target on cycling.
The "refreshed" Transport Scotland Cycling Action Plan admits that achieving 10 per cent of all journeys by bike by 2020 "will be challenging”. The current rate is 1.2 per cent.
Mark Ruskell, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, said:
“Our communities deserve safe streets for walking and cycling. It’s clear from this so-called action plan of tired old reheated ideas that the Scottish Government doesn’t care.
“There’s no way it will meet its target of 10 per cent of all journeys by bike by 2020 when the rate remains at 1 per cent. Merely ‘encouraging’ 20mph zones won’t get results.
“We need to see 20mph become the default limit in residential areas. Then streets would be safer for people to make everyday journeys by bike.
“And this needs backed by meaningful investment in new cycle infrastructure, training and promotion. This so-called action plan claims record investment but the reality is funding for walking and cycling remains static at £39m, a drop in the ocean compared to the proposed £147m increase to almost £1bn for motorways and trunk roads.
"The time for lip-service is over; Scottish Ministers must shift their priorities in the budget and must lend their support to the growing range of voices calling for 20mph to be the norm in residential streets.”