Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives has promised a cycle network designed for communting, for every city in Scotland by the end of the next parliamentary term, if it gets intopower.
Mr Ross said that 10% of the transport budget should be spent on active travel, in part down to the recognition of changes witnessed during the pandemic.
The party’s manifesto, also mentions delivery of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as transforming a series of A roads, including a £200 million pothole investment.
Meanwhile, reports CyclingIndustry News, the SNP’s manifesto focuses on providing a free bike for all children and also promises a 10% of the transport budget to active travel.
“Since the start of the pandemic we have seen a huge increase in cycling and walking. During lockdown people were encouraged to take physical activity and found their local roads were less busy and felt safer. It proved that people will choose to cycle when they feel safe,” said the manifesto.
A pledge is then made to create, repair and improve Scotland’s active travel network, with “every town” planned to have access to a “high quality and separated” walking and cycling network. It also cites a target to reduce car mileage by 20% by 2030.
