National Active Travel Conference

13th May 2009 00:00

We are currently living in a Scotland where 69% of people travel to work by car; 11.8% walk; 1.6% cycle and 13.5% take public transport. Of all car trips taken, 26% are less than 2 miles and 56% are less than 5 miles. Our cities and towns are increasingly choked by traffic, and at the same time, people struggle with overweight, obesity, lack of physical activity, social isolation and exclusion. We do not want these trends to continue into the future.

Our preferred future is a Scotland where, by 2040, walking and cycling are the natural choices for short journeys. These journeys are convenient and comfortable, and often quicker to achieve than by driving. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities are close to zero. We live in villages, towns and cities where our children play safely in the streets, where our streets are places of social interaction, where pedestrians and cyclists have priority over motorists, especially in residential areas [where 20mph or lower is the norm] and where, for most of us, our services and even our workplaces are within walking or cycling distance of our house.

The Scottish Government has outlined the aim of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. To meet this challenging target, within the context of increasing sustainable economic growth, the Government has identified a number of National Outcomes including: we live longer, healthier lives; we have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society; we live in welldesigned, sustainable places where we are able to access amenities and services; and we
value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations.