Appendix A - Cycling Framework BRIA Assessment Tables

Safe Cycling Infrastructure

Action 1

Work with local authorities on creating active travel strategies to prioritise investment in the creation of a dense, coherent network of connected cycling infrastructure in every town and city that is segregated from traffic and integrated with public transport

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Business:

Evidence shows that active travel can positively influence retail footfall at a local level. If active travel networks are planned with local economic interests in mind and with the support of local businesses, there are positive benefits to retailers:

The impact of this on businesses within the tourist industry could be broadly positive if it results in increased cycle tourism on the NCN and this links tourists to local towns and villages:

Local Authorities:

Local authorities are key partners in delivering the action and will require local authority resource to deliver the action.

Action 2

Remove barriers to the fast implementation of cycling infrastructure, including through changes to the TRO process, and support the use of temporary and trial schemes.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor negative

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Some businesses, sectors, markets, products or services may be affected by the infrastructure provision for active travel if, for example, it removes space for other travel modes (adverse effect) or improves access for a wider range of employees and consumers (positive effect). Micro and small businesses may be more vulnerable to any potential adverse effects.

At present the TRO process mandates statutory minimum levels of consultation and objections must be addressed. Any changes to the process that erode this requirement could negatively impact on specific businesses unless other effective means of input into the process are in place.

Recommend wording be added to the action to ensure opportunities for consultation are retained: Remove barriers to the fast implementation of cycling infrastructure, including through changes to the TRO process, and support the use of temporary and trial schemes, whist retaining adequate opportunities for consultation, in-line with Scottish Government Guidance.

ETRO can remain in place for six months while objections are addressed and, while in practice it is likely every effort will be made to mitigate any potential impacts on businesses, there remains the possibility that negative impacts could take effect within the six month trial period.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 has recently been amended by the Traffic Regulation Orders (Procedure) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.

The amendment removes the requirement for publication of a proposed ETRO and allows for objections to be made whilst the ETRO is in place, where an order is made to give permanent effect to an ETRO. A new procedure has been introduced to make an ETRO permanent, without a further objection and consultation period.

Action 3

Make it safer to walk, cycle and wheel across and along the trunk road network, both where it passes through towns and villages and where it links two or more settlements.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Uncertain

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action has an uncertain relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 4

Use the Scottish Government’s compulsory purchase reform programme to consider whether powers to acquire land for the purposes of cycling infrastructure are fit for purpose.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor negative

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Section 22 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 contains provision for a core path to be enforced via means of a path order.

Reallocation of land for cycling infrastructure within the limits of the adopted road network is within the powers of local authorities via the TRO process. The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 provides for the compulsory purchase of land by a public body (Acquiring Authority), if confirmed by Scottish Ministers. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 also extends the powers of an Acquiring Authority to some non-public bodies. These powers extended to any development, including land for cycling infrastructure. However, this is a costly and lengthy process.

Procurement of land outwith the above legal processes would be subject to negotiation with individual private land owners. Fast-track powers which do not include a sufficient element of consultation and engagement with local land owners, and businesses could have potentially significant negative impacts.

Engagement with the compulsory purchase reform Programme must therefore follow Scottish Government Guidance on consultation.

Action 5

Provide ongoing development and governance of co-produced design guidance, including mitigation of unintended impacts on vulnerable road users and that infrastructure is suitable for non-standard cycles.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 6

Develop a national approach to the creation of quiet road/cycle friendly roads in rural areas with everyday journeys prioritised.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 7

Update design and asset management guidance to enable national, consistent principles of infrastructure

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 8

Engage the business sector to embed active travel in wider corporate culture including through the use of cargo cycles as the normal choice for local deliveries.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Pilot projects have shown that, where the right operating conditions exist, cargo-bike delivery start-ups can flourish in the already highly competitive sector of first mile/last mile deliveries.

Both potentially positive and negative effects therefore exist for businesses operating in the first mile/last mile freight delivery sector. Incumbent operators which do not switch to some deliveries by cargo-bike may lose market share to those that do. However, overall, this measure will help to introduce healthy competition to this sector.

Action 9

Support communities to close roads to allow for community events such as Play Streets and Car Free Days and to transition successful schemes to more permanent arrangements.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 10

Support the various deliverables set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework 2030 under its Active and Sustainable Travel Strategic Action, ensuring that road safety remains a key focus of active and sustainable travel in Scotland.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Road collisions cost the Scottish economy around £1 billion per year.

Some of these costs are in lost output and direct damage to property, both of which significantly impact on business. Road safety improvements therefore are likely to have an overwhelmingly positive impact on businesses.

Effective Resourcing

Action 1

Review options for multi-year long-term funding for infrastructure and behaviour change programmes where appropriate.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Local authorities are key partners in delivering the aspirations within NTS2. Long-term funding arrangements, supported by appropriate resource will provide Local Authorities the capacity needed to fulfil these aspirations.

Action 2

Increase active travel budget to £320 million or 10% of the transport budget, whichever is greater, by 2024-25.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The active travel budget is committed within the ‘Bute House Agreement’ The Cycling Framework and Delivery Plan for Active Travel in Scotland 2022-2030 is a means by which this investment will be delivered. The impacts of the investment will therefore be in line with the overall assessment of the actions within this document.

Action 3

Ensure the appropriate level of resource is in place to develop and deliver active travel strategies ensuring that cycling for transport is prioritised appropriately.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Local authorities are key partners in delivering the aspirations within NTS2. Long-term funding arrangements, supported by appropriate resource will provide Local Authorities the capacity needed to fulfil these aspirations.

Action 4

Work with manufacturers, social enterprises and industry vocational partners to increase cycle and cycle parts production and recycling in Scotland, with a focus on green skills and materials research and development.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Though the estimated value of bicycle and parts manufacture in Scotland is estimated to be low (around £2m per year), this action has the potential to help grow the industry in a sustainable way.

Impacts on bicycle refurbishment and fabrication businesses will be positive. Although this action needs to be explored further, though engagement with the sector, in order to fully understand it's reach.

Fair Access

Action 1

Expand access to cycles, including adaptive cycles, e-cycles and cycle share.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 2

Review funding criteria to ensure that fair access is appropriately weighted and improving accessibility is given an appropriate level of priority.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 3

Improve quality and level of service of carriage of bikes on trains and require rural & island bus services to carry cycles, where appropriate.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor negative

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Potentially negative impact on smaller private bus operators if additional requirements are placed upon them. Private bus operators in rural and island communities may or may not have the means to retrofit buses with the required facilities to carry bicycles. Arrangements for bicycle carriage could, however, be considered as part of Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs)

Any funding available must be straightforward to access any requirement to carry cycles must be developed in collaboration with operators.

Action 4

Support cycling journeys to and from public transport hubs as part of a multi-modal journey.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 5

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Potentially positive effect on bicycle industry and retailers, if such bicycles are made available through retailers, rather than as bulk purchases made directly by the government. Schemes delivered though commercial retailers, such as the cycle to work scheme, have been shown to be of economic value to participants and the industry.

Training and Education

Action 1

Provide a comprehensive cycle training offer for all life stages, including learning to ride in pre-school, learning to ride on-road through school bikeability training, and for adults of all ages, including cycle awareness training.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Uncertain

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Uncertain effect depending on how the training will be delivered and by which organisations. Local authorities and third sector partners are likely to be key service providers in delivering the action and will require sufficient resource to deliver the action. Note that resourcing is covered in action ER.2.

Action 2

Use the Cycling World Championships to inspire people, especially young people to cycle.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 3

Promote the new Highway Code and implement requirements for cycle training.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 4

Provide local authorities with resources, including guidance and best practice examples, to enable effective local community engagement.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Local authorities are key partners in delivering the aspirations within NTS2. Long-term funding arrangements, supported by appropriate resource will provide Local Authorities the capacity needed to fulfil these aspirations.

Action 5

Develop a long-term communication plan that represents cycling as something that anyone can do, including with assistance/adaption and is a transport mode that brings many benefits to Scotland

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Network Planning

Action 1

Produce active travel strategies for each local authority area, setting out plans to improve active travel networks and facilities to 2030.

Strategies should be in line with regional transport strategies, include detailed mapping and use an evidence-led approach to network planning.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Minor positive

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

Business:

Evidence shows that active travel can positively influence retail footfall at a local level. If active travel networks are planned with local economic interests in mind and with the support of local businesses, there are positive benefits to retailers:

Local Authorities:

Local authorities are key partners in delivering the action and will require local authority resource to deliver the action.

Action 2

Produce digital active travel mapping (“a network blueprint”) for Scotland, which is informed by local authority transport strategies.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Uncertain

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action has an uncertain relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 3

Work with other policy areas to introduce localised active travel networks as part of a larger package - eg local development plans - to create efficiencies.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Uncertain

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action has an uncertain relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Monitoring

Action 1

Support the travel demand management measures aligned with the national 20% car km reduction route map

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Uncertain

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The travel demand management measures set out in the national route map for car km reduction may have significant impacts on business and the role of the cycling framework in supporting this is not clear. Therefore, more information is needed in order to understand the potential impacts of this large shift in travel behaviour.

Action 2

Review how active travel/cycling schemes are appraised –broaden the benefits to include social, economic and equality benefits.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 3

Expand and where possible align monitoring and reporting of cycling levels at local, city, regional and national level and share learning.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 4

Continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of active travel investment and embed learning in future investment decisions.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.

Action 5

Conduct research on the social, environmental and economic factors influencing network planning, for example pandemic recovery and climate change impacts.

How is the Action likely to impact on Business, Local Authorities, Regulators or Third Sector partners?

Neutral

Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action

The action is expected to have a broadly neutral relationship to business and regulation / the relationship is dependent on the way in which the aspect is managed.