Walking and cycling charity Sustrans has revealed the benefits of the temporary changes to Scotland’s walking and cycling infrastructure, introduced during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns.
Its latest study, published in December 2021, highlighted the effects of the Spaces for People initiatives. These schemes saw funding made available to create spaces for people to physically distance during the pandemic and aimed to improve road safety for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
There were 178 interventions installed within the first two months of the programme and 316 were installed by the end of the first six months.
An initial evaluation of the measures which were put in place has revealed a 25% increase in pedestrian use where Spaces for People measures (such as pavement widening) were introduced, compared with control sites.
In Aberdeen City, 94% of respondents agreed that the Spaces for People measures have made it easier to walk or cycle.
The survey also discovered that 50% of local people support the 20mph limits introduced in Perth & Kinross, Dundee, Stirling and Angus, whilst a further 27% feel neutrally about them.
Additionally, 48% of survey respondents in Perth & Kinross, Dundee, Stirling and Angus reported an increase in the time they spend walking for leisure and exercise.
Scotland’s active travel minister, Patrick Harvie, said: “When the pandemic struck last year it changed overnight how we thought about travel. Both in how far we could go and how we travel.
“It showed a real appetite for people to walk, wheel and cycle more. So the speed and breadth of change that was delivered by many councils, Sustrans and other delivery partners to create safe spaces in our towns and cities, was so important in meeting that new demand.
“I’m pleased at the positive findings coming out from Sustrans’ initial report on Spaces for People and look forward to the full report being published this year. It shows that if safe space is provided, people want to use it.”
With all funds allocated, the programme now supports on-going maintenance, monitoring and work to remove or make permanent various measures.
While some Spaces for People measures were removed as lockdowns eased and road traffic increased, more than 50% of projects are expected to go through a public consultation process to gauge support for permanent measures.
