Scottish Parliament – March 17, 2022 – 3

S6M-03650.1: As an amendment to motion S6M-03650 in the name of Patrick Harvie (Delivering on Active Travel Commitments), insert at end “;

notes the cross-party support for 10% of the transport budget being allocated to active travel;

recognises that wider cuts to local authority budgets hamper active travel, including safety concerns from a lack of adequate lighting;

notes the important link between public transport and active travel and recognises that cutting train services will not encourage a reduction in car use;

considers that improvements to roads and pavements are necessary to improve levels of active and sustainable travel, and further considers that, if the Scottish Government is serious about promoting active travel, it should fulfil its commitment to provide access to bikes for every child who cannot afford one by the end of 2022.”

Original motion(S6M-03650): That the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Government’s record investment in active travel in 2022-23, which includes new funding for footpaths, significantly increased funding for local authorities and more than doubling the funding to the National Cycle Network;

recognises the unprecedented ambition of the Co-operation Agreement commitment to invest at least £320 million, or 10% of the transport budget, for active travel by 2024-25 as a means of improving health and wellbeing, enhancing the quality of neighbourhoods, promoting social inclusion and tackling the climate emergency;

further welcomes the commitment by Police Scotland to take forward the National Dashcam Safety Portal Initiative;

agrees that prioritising walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport and reducing private car trips will be essential to cutting transport emissions and achieving Scotland’s climate targets;

acknowledges the leadership shown to date by local and community partners, and hopes that all future local authority administrations will recommit to this leadership and achieve rapid delivery of active travel schemes on the ground.