Secondary schools, universities and colleges across Scotland are to receive a share of nearly £300k to improve cycling facilities.
Announced by Transport Scotland on 10 March, more than 261,000 people from 51 establishments will benefit from the funding.
The campus development grants will provide cycle parking, showers and changing facilities, lockers, maps, maintenance equipment and signage.
Meanwhile, secondary school grants will provide bikes, maintenance equipment and training to incorporate cycle maintenance into the school curriculum.
Michael Matheson, the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for transport, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to support another round of this high-impact project from our active travel budget.
“Alongside quality protected infrastructure, this type of initiative is key to encouraging greater participation in walking and cycling in our communities.
“Walking and cycling is key to protecting our air quality, our climate and our health. In terms of the potential reach of these improvements, it is encouraging that over 261,000 people can now take advantage of better cycling facilities where they study or work.”
The funding, which comes from the Scottish Government’s active travel budget, will be delivered through Cycling Scotland’s Cycling Friendly programme.
Kath Brough, head of behaviour change at Cycling Scotland, said: “By providing facilities that make it easier to cycle, we’re helping young people across Scotland make healthy and sustainable transport choices, that will hopefully shape their travel behaviours for life.
“Over 50 secondary schools, and college and university campuses will soon have access to new bike parking, upgraded showering facilities and pool bikes, supporting over 261,000 people to choose to cycle for everyday journeys.”
This type of funding is an essential part in trying to achieve modal change in the population and I wish this scheme every success. However there is a big difference between “over 261,000 people CAN now take advantage of…” and those that actually WILL. It will be interesting to compare the before and after figures for % of students cycling to/from college/school.
Also interesting that the article seems to suggest that Scotland appear to be able to make this a school curriculum matter. Not so elsewhere in the UK.
Pat, Wales
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