Appendix A - Cycling Framework ICIA Screening Tables
Safe Cycling Infrastructure
CI.1
Produce active travel strategies and maps for each local authority area setting out plans to improve active travel networks and facilities to 2030 using a robust evidence-led approach to network planning. The active travel strategies will provide the basis for funding applications by local authorities.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain.
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Though it is not given in detail, this action has the potential to negatively impact island communities by favouring an approach to network planning which is more suited to dense urban centres than dispersed populations. Island communities would therefore be at a disadvantage in funding applications, when compared to more urban Local Authority areas. AT strategies guidance should contain provision for infrastructure to be planned for the specific circumstances of island communities. Perhaps different intervention rates should be applied in island and rural communities.
CI.2
Produce an active travel network ‘blueprint’ for Scotland, including the future network of Active Freeways and is informed by Local Authority Active Travel Strategies.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
There is some uncertainty around the way in which such a blueprint would be implemented in island communities. It is unlikely that conurbations within island communities would lend themselves to measures such as active freeways and it must be ensured that island communities do not experience a differential level of cycle provision as a result. This detail may be picked up through guidance on active travel strategies and perhaps this should be referenced.
CI.3
Build and maintain a dense network of connected cycling infrastructure in every town and city that is separate from traffic and integrated with public transport, and rural routes that link to these networks and interface with the trunk road network and NCN.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
The impact on residents and businesses could be generally positive if Active Travel demand increases at a local level. The option could also further encourage sustainable tourism through linking with existing National Cycle Network routes, settlements and popular tourism destinations. Option would however, in its current wording, would disproportionately benefit urban settlements and impacts may not be experienced in more rural island locations.
CI.4
Work with other policy areas to introduce active travel networks as part of a larger package- such as 20 mph limits to create efficiencies.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Further information on type and scale of measures that could feasibly be delivered for island communities would need to be provided to enable the potential impacts to be assessed.
CI.5
Use the information in the active travel strategies to prioritise investment in the creation of cycling infrastructure integrated with public transport in every town and city, and inter-urban / rural routes that link to these networks. This will build on the National Cycle Network and proposals for Active Freeways in STPR2.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This option should have positive impacts through improving accessibility and attractiveness of multi-modal journeys, particularly over longer distances. As well as considering opportunities to increase access to educational, health, employment and leisure opportunities for existing communities the option could further improve transport offering for the tourism sector.
CI.6
Avoid delays in implementation of cycling infrastructure by revising the TRO process.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Island communities may be either positively or negatively impacted by this proposed action, if any changes to the TRO process result in alteration to the level of consultation required.
CI.7
Develop an action plan to make it safer to walk, cycle and wheel across and along trunk roads, especially where they pass through towns and villages.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
As the A87 trunk road travels along the length of the Isle of Skye, this action has the potential to positively impact on communities living on Skye, where provision for cyclists beyond the trunk road network is sparse.
CI.8
Continue to support fast implementation of temporary cycling infrastructure, introducing Experimental Traffic Orders to support road space reallocation and street trials.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Island communities may be either positively or negatively impacted by this proposed action, if changes to the ETRO process result in alteration to the level of consultation required.
CI.9
Enhance permitted development rights for cycling facilities and infrastructure
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Neutral
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 details 'permitted development' types. This Order was amended in 2014
The order relates to householders, rather than planning authorities and is unlikely to impact on island communities in particular.
CI.10
Respond to the needs of local people by expanding the resources needed to support more people to cycle, including appropriate cycle storage for every household.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Increasing provision of cycle storage will provide positive impacts in locations where cycling is a viable method of travel.
CI.11
Introduce fast-track powers to acquire land for cycling infrastructure.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
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 communities, including crofters could have potentially significant negative impacts.
CI.12
Provide ongoing development and governance of design guidance, including mitigation of unintended impacts vulnerable road users and that infrastructure is suitable for adaptive bikes e.g. pedestrians.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This action has the potential to impact island communities by favouring an approach to network planning which is more suited to dense urban centres, unless specific provision island communities is considered.
CI.13
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 island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Could have significantly positive impacts for Island communities, where additional road space is unavailable for segregated or remote cycle routes.
CI.14
Designate the active travel network as a national development.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
The Draft National Planning Framework (NPF4) includes a designation of the National Walking, Cycling and Wheeling network as a national development. Delivery is expected to specifically deliver tourism benefits and integrate with existing maritime gateways across the Islands, as well as primarily increasing Active Travel offering within principal settlements. Impact on rural communities will be less pronounced and may be negligible in some instances.
CI.15
Update design and asset management guidance to enable national, consistent principles of infrastructure
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This action has the potential to impact island communities by favouring an approach to network planning which is more suited to dense urban centres, unless specific provision island communities is considered.
CI.16
Support cycling journeys, to and from public transport hubs as part of a multi-modal journey
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This would benefit those who live and work near to these transport hubs, predominantly in urban areas, through being offered a wider offering of transport modes. This option has the potential benefit of increasing accessibility to other modes (e.g. Bus) and facilitate longer distance journeys.
CI.17
Promote cargo bikes as the normal choice for local deliveries
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This may alter how goods are delivered across the Islands, especially for communities which are more-remote than other areas. Further information would be required to understand potential impacts.
CI.18
Support government funded agencies to remove on-site car parking spaces and replace them with cycle parking
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Consideration needs to be made to travel demand and patterns across Island communities, where travelling via car or van is sometimes the only practical option. Further information would be required on this option to understand the potential impacts on access to services, facilities and employment opportunities.
CI.19
Promote the new Highway Code and implement requirements for cycle training
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Improving safety for all road users should increase driver behaviours and encourage increased awareness when driving.
CI.20
Support the various deliverables set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework 2030. Delivery Plans under its Active and Sustainable Travel Strategic Action
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
The total cost of collisions to Scotland was £1billion in 2018 compared to a GDP of £180billion.
Reducing Road Traffic Collisions through delivering safety improvements will benefit a wide range of user-groups across Island communities, particularly when considered with high-levels of car ownership and access across Island households.
Effective Resourcing
ER.1
Provide multi-year long-term funding for infrastructure and behaviour change programmes, include trials for road space reallocation linked to active strategies and active travel network plans.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Major positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Low-carbon and low-cost transport mode choice to be implemented, specifically targeted to benefit unique needs of user groups across island communities.
ER.2
Provide appropriate level of resource to support local authorities to develop and deliver active travel strategies ensuring that cycling for transport is prioritised appropriately.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Major positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Would catalyse AT strategy delivery and encourage more sustainable travel behaviours to decarbonise the transport sector, also health benefits and improving access to services, facilities and amenities.
ER.3
Work with manufacturers, social enterprises and industry vocational partners to increase cycle and cycle parts production in Scotland, including e-bikes and e-cargo bikes and with Scottish businesses to grow the bike refurbishment industry especially through support for bike recycling and re-use enterprises.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Would stimulate enterprise and encourage economic growth within Island communities, further diversifying economic offering. However, the challenge of distribution of goods, people and services between some island communities needs to be considered.
Fair Access
FA.1
Expand access to bikes, including adaptive bikes.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Option likely to increase access to cycling, although services are generally located in urban areas and consideration needs to be applied to how such an offering could be delivered to serve both rural and urban communities in the Islands. Offering could also be twinned with tourism offering to further encourage sustainable tourism in some areas.
FA.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 island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Some island communities suffer from Transport Poverty and have identified needs to improve accessibility for alternative transport modes to move away from reliance on travel by car / van. Whilst in some instances this mode will be required for some communities, improving accessibility with and between settlements across the islands will provide a positive benefit.
FA.3
Improve quality and level of service of carriage of bikes on trains and require rural & island bus services to carry cycles, wherever possible
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Lack of rail services on Scotland's Islands means that this option only applies for Bus Services. Option would enable more multi-modal trips to be made. However, need for increased provision would need to be considered in context of existing passenger capacity, particularly on smaller, yet crucial, services. Enables more multi modal trips. Needs to consider impact on passenger capacity on busy routes. Potential to also benefit tourism sector through offering increased access to popular destinations.
FA.4
Implement safe cycle routes to public transport interchanges and increase the provision of high quality bike storage.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Expected to have a positive impact, particularly within existing settlements across the Islands for both residents and visitors to increase accessibility by cycle to access Public Transport modes. Increase share of multi modal journeys, can be coupled with gateways to provide tourism benefits. Improving access to Public Transport hubs will enable a wider network of Active Travel infrastructure to be considered and developed.
Training and Education
TE.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 island communities?
Major positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This option will enable the development of an awareness, understanding and proficiency in riding and maintaining a bicycle. This will encourage low-carbon journeys, particularly over shorter distances and increase accessibility to health, educational, employment and educational facilities and services. Potential to alleviate transport poverty which exists across island communities through enabling low-cost journeys to be made. Such opportunities in Island communities are not always readily accessible via cycling and consideration would need to be applied of the potential benefits for more rural households.
TE.2
Provide a free bike to all children of school age who cannot afford one
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Major positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Likely to increase access to cycling for young people across all income levels, however for some young people due to the distance of travel required it would still not be potentially feasible nor practical to cycle to school. However, the option is likely to increase access to wider opportunities and provide a low-cost form of travel to young people, in communities where Public Transport fares are generally high.
TE.3
Support communities to introduce Play Streets, enabling roads to be closed to allow for small events and sports and introduce legislation to enable Auto Number Plate Recognition for the closure of school streets
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Whilst the option is recognised as a positive intervention, further information in relation to baseline conditions to understand whether this specific intervention is required for island communities where travel demand patterns are different to that of more-urbanised communities in the Scottish Mainland.
TE.4
Use the Cycling World Championships to inspire people, especially young people to cycle.
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Action aimed at encouraging young people to take up cycling, which may provide them with wider opportunities. The relative remoteness of some Island communities means that the impact may not be particularly significant.
TE.5
Introduce pilot schemes at schools to provide an alternative to the school bus with segregated cycle routes, cycle training, provision of bikes, facilities at school
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Major positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
The distances to some educational facilities in Island communities means that it is not sometimes viable, nor practical to travel by Active Mode. Whilst segregated cycle routes may not be practical in some instances due to existing identified challenges and constraints, particularly in rural areas, other suggested measures will encourage sustainable travel behaviours - particularly in urban areas where shorter trips by cycle are more feasible and practical.
TE.6
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 island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Communication may raise awareness and understanding across various user groups, particularly those wishing to cycle more. However, consideration would need to be applied to message in the context of Island communities, particularly recognising that cycling as a transport mode is not always a viable and practical option.
Network Planning & Monitoring
NPM.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 island communities?
Uncertain
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This target is noted to broadly apply to reducing the frequency of short-distance car trips, primarily within heavily urbanised areas and underlying issues that are sought to be addressed may not be fully representative at an island-community level. Further information would be required to enable the potential impacts to be considered.
NPM.2
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 island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Likely to provide positive benefits for how network planning is considered at an Islands perspective, however assessment criteria may need to be expanded to reflect differing processes undertaken in island communities at both an urban and rural scale.
NPM.3
Continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of active travel infrastructure and embed learning in future investment decisions .
How is the Action likely to impact on island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Would increase knowledge sharing of best practice when considering and developing future Active Travel facilities and infrastructure, however future investment decisions must be informed by a variety of case studies and consideration must be applied to include relevant references from infrastructure and facilities delivered across the Islands.
NPM.4
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 island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
This option would support Active Travel appraisal for interventions were they have broadly low Value for Money (i.e. Benefit-to-Cost ratio) but have much wider health, equality and socio-economic benefits. This option would complement the recent Green Book Update by HM Treasury which emphasised the role and importance of the Strategic Fit of development proposals, moving away from solely focusing on the Value for Money criteria.
NPM.5
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 island communities?
Minor positive
Comments and evidence relating to these groups with regards to the action
Option likely to improve data at local and regional level across Islands and their communities, consideration would need to be made to how monitoring and reporting can be expanded to gain a representative sample size of user groups and prevent process disproportionately collecting data solely in urban areas.
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