Minister and Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) Patrick Harvie gave a keynote speech, on Thursday 4 November, live from the sidelines of COP26, taking place in his native Glasgow. This year’s Cycling Scotland conference once again took place online with prominent members of the Scottish cycling scene, public authorities and government all beaming in to share the latest developments in national cycling and active travel policy.

In his address to the conference, Harvie, who is a co-leader of the Scottish Green Party and was recently made Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, described a whole raft of measures to be implemented by the coalition Scottish government, many of which stem from his own party’s manifesto pledges. This is the first time that a Green Party has formed part of a United Kingdom government, providing a boost to local efforts to achieve more everyday cycling as part of the green transition.

Unprecedented budget allocation for active travel 

Scotland's green transition is becoming a reality with the latest programme for government stating that it aims to “Provide more active travel opportunities, reduce emissions and keep people healthy – and increase spending on active travel in 2024‑25 to at least £320 million or 10% of the total transport budget." £325 million is also due to be invested in the regeneration of urban centres. Harvie described how this is a real attempt to reimagine Scottish life with the goal to establish 20-minute neighbourhoods in which cycling, walking and public transport are the preferred modes of travel. However, the minister did express frustration at reports that “some cycle lanes [were] being literally erased from the road” by councils at a time when the world’s eyes were firmly fixed on the climate negotiations in Glasgow.

To avoid such setbacks in the future, he went on to stress that assuming a consultative approach for improving cycling infrastructure is the most effective method of achieving permanent progress and key to avoiding the unproductive polarization of cycling within public discourse.

Harvie stated that “cycling should be the obvious safe and healthy travel option for people of all ages.” But that with regards to safety “statistics show that cycle-related injuries actually increased [in 2020] [and] this cannot be acceptable.” To tackle this, the minister explained his party’s ambition to implement 20mph speed limits in urban areas by 2025.

As part of a roundup of recent achievements, Harvie also lauded the success of schemes such as the “Scotland cycle repair scheme” that is set to continue after having reportedly repaired 31,000 bikes since it began in 2020; with customers partaking in the scheme reporting an increased desire to avoid using their car for shorter journeys.  

When questioned on how likely progress would be made on making Scotland an “Active Nation”, Minister Harvie responded optimistically whilst also commending the gathered attendees for the progress made so far. He ended by asking for the continued support of the cycling community, and for the likes of Cycling Scotland, Sustrans and Cycling UK to keep up the pressure for change and keep local MSPs informed of what’s needed in their communities.

COP26's legacy in Scotland

With COP26 having brought the world’s attention to Scotland, Harvie also stressed the need to ensure that the momentous event leaves a lasting positive legacy. To this end he announced the creation of the new “Smarter Choices Smarter Places COP26 Legacy Fund” , managed by the charity Paths for All,  to enable further progress in the switch to active travel through grants for new projects that get people walking, wheeling and, of course, cycling.

The minister signed off emphatically stating that “the pace of change demanded by the climate emergency means that we must act now. But we cannot do it alone. Everyone has a part to play, so let’s redouble our efforts and help to make Scotland a truly active nation.”