Behaviour change

Creating a culture of Active Travel

The evidence is clear that infrastructure alone will not increase the numbers of people walking, wheeling, and cycling.  People must also be supported to choose and use infrastructure, and this is why Transport Scotland has a dedicated programme focused on active travel behaviour change.

We are investing in activity that gives people the knowledge, skills and confidence to use our growing infrastructure network. These interventions support people to walk, wheel and cycle more often.

Walking, wheeling and cycling deliver positive health and economic benefits, reduce air and noise pollution and decrease traffic congestion.

People and Place Programme

As part of our active travel transformation programme  we have introduced a new place-based delivery model for behaviour change interventions. From 2024/25 we are providing funding directly to Scotland’s seven Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs). The RTPs are working with their Local Authorities (LAs) and other delivery partners to identify and focus on the priorities in their areas, and to build capacity at a local level.

Driven by local active travel strategies and regional transport plans, the People and Place (P&P) programme replaces the previous direct funding from Scottish Government to individual delivery partners and organisations.

The new programme establishes a closer working relationship between Scottish Government and its LA and RTP partners, and will deliver a range of interventions to help make active travel more accessible and appealing to more people for their everyday journeys.

Regional Transport Partnerships

Transport Scotland is working closely with  RTPs on the design and delivery of the P&P programme, with regular engagement at strategic and operational levels. To find out more about what each RTP is doing, you can find them online here:

Outcomes and themes

To maximise the return on investment we have ensured alignment with the strategic aims and objectives set out in the National Transport Strategy 2, the Active Travel Outcomes Framework, and the First Minister’s priorities for Scotland. With this in mind the Programme is structured across four themes:

Schools and Young People

  • Interventions in and around schools that deliver holistic solutions for creating an environment where active travel choices are not only an option, but the most desirable way to travel for young people and families.

Workplaces

  • Interventions that focus on places of work (including larger employers and trip generators) and which make active travel choices a realistic option for commuting.

Accessibility and Inclusion

  • Interventions that improve and promote accessibility and inclusion and create opportunities for everyone to be able to make the choice to travel actively.

Capacity and Capability Building

  • Interventions that build the delivery capacity and capability of the active travel sector (including RTPs, LAs, and third sector delivery partners).

Other funding opportunities

Local Authority Direct Award (LADA)

We have provided the LADA directly to all 32 LAs on a pro-rata basis. The funding is being used to support sustainable and active travel behaviour change initiatives including:

  • LA Active Travel Officers
  • Community Active Travel Projects
  • Maintenance of existing cycling infrastructure
  • Development of active travel strategies and plans
  • Installation of supporting infrastructure such as bike stands and secure storage
  • Installation of school streets to tackle air pollution and congestion

For more information contact david.kernohan@transport.gov.scot 

Community Projects Transition Fund (CPTF)

We established the CPTF for 2024/25 to replace the Smarter Choices Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund, and provide access to funding for community-led projects. 

Led by a partnership between Paths for All and Tactran working on behalf of RTPs collectively, the CPTF is ensuring continued support for community-led and focussed projects. Throughout 2024/25 work is taking place to develop RTP capacity to provide support for communities as part of their People and Place programmes from 2025/26 onwards.

Find out more at the Paths for All website

Bikeability

Bikeability is the national cycle training programme for school children. It is delivered by Cycling Scotland in partnership with LAs and supports the next generation of confident and responsible cyclists.

The initiative builds the skills and confidence children need to cycle on the road from childhood into adulthood. Bikeability Scotland offers a comprehensive training programme that covers everything from pre-ride safety checks and road signals to hazard awareness and bike checks.

Find out more at the Cycling Scotland website