Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes - Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 - 2015: Second Interim Report

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Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes - Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 - 2015: Second Interim Report
Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling
outcomes
Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second
Interim Report
September 2014

Route Opening, Alva to Tillicoultry, May 2014
© Stuart Nicol Photography 2014.
Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes - Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 - 2015: Second Interim Report
About Sustrans
Sustrans makes smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable. We’re a leading UK charity
enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every
day. We work with families, communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people
are able to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys, with better places and spaces to move
through and live in.
It’s time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today.
www.sustrans.org.uk
Sustrans
Rosebery House
9 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 5EZ

© Sustrans 2014
Registered Charity No. 326550 (England and Wales) SC039263 (Scotland)
VAT Registration No. 416740656

     Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September
                                                                                                                                 1    2014
Table of contents
1     Introduction and Background ...................................................................................................... 1
2     Overview of Key Outcomes .......................................................................................................... 2
3     KPI 1: Increased levels of walking and cycling ............................................................................. 3
    3.1      Overview ............................................................................................................................... 3
    3.2      Expansion of NCN ................................................................................................................ 3
    3.3      Annual usage estimate (AUE) - NCN .................................................................................... 4
    3.4      Annual usage estimates - site specific (NCN, Community Links, Connect2) ......................... 5
    3.5      Increases in walking and cycling at West Barns, East Lothian .............................................. 8
    3.6      Automatic cycle counters data.............................................................................................. 8
    3.7      Make your move Kirkcaldy .................................................................................................. 10
4     KPI 2: Increased levels of ‘purposeful trips’ made by walking and cycling ................................ 11
    4.1      Overview ............................................................................................................................. 11
    4.2      Breakdown of journey types on the NCN ............................................................................ 12
    4.3      Pedestrian and cyclist comparison ..................................................................................... 12
    4.4      Number of ‘purposeful trips’ at specific NCN sites and Community Links projects ............ 13
    4.5      Travel to school .................................................................................................................. 15
      4.5.1        Hands up Scotland ...................................................................................................... 15
      4.5.2        I Bike ............................................................................................................................ 16
    4.6      Case Study: Increased usage for school trips at Ardblair Trail, Blairgowrie ........................ 18
    4.7      Evidence for increased commuting: Edinburgh count data ................................................. 18
      4.7.1        Steadfastgate manual count ........................................................................................ 18
      4.7.2        North Edinburgh Access counter ................................................................................. 19
5 KPI 3: Increased levels of attainment of recommended physical activity levels through walking
and cycling........................................................................................................................................ 21
    5.1      Overview ............................................................................................................................. 21
    5.2      Physical activity levels - RUIS ............................................................................................. 21
    5.3      The impact of routes on increasing levels of physical activity ............................................. 22
    5.4      Breasclete Community - Feedback ..................................................................................... 23
    5.5      E-bikes, Cairngorms National Park ..................................................................................... 24
    5.6      Kirkcaldy Challenge ............................................................................................................ 25
6     KPI 4: Improved community cohesion and liveability ................................................................. 26
    6.1      Overview ............................................................................................................................. 26
    6.2      Breasclete Community Path – Feedback Survey ................................................................ 26
    6.3      Beneficiary feedback - Kirkcaldy ........................................................................................ 27
    6.4      Volunteer support - Kirkcaldy ............................................................................................. 28
    6.5      I Bike ................................................................................................................................... 28
    6.6      Dumfries Street Design ....................................................................................................... 29

      Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September
                                                                                                                                  2    2014
7     KPI 5: Reductions in incidence of KSI, and perception of level of risk ....................................... 30
    7.1     Overview ............................................................................................................................. 30
    7.2     NCN/Community Links ....................................................................................................... 30
    7.3     Street Design Sinclairtown .................................................................................................. 31
    7.4     City of Edinburgh Council Workplace Travel Survey ........................................................... 32
    7.5     I Bike ................................................................................................................................... 33
    7.6     Waterloo Street, Glasgow ................................................................................................... 33
    7.7     Community Links Breasclete .............................................................................................. 34
    7.8     Transport Scotland – Reported Road Casualties ................................................................ 35
8     KPI 6: Economic benefits ........................................................................................................... 36
    8.1     Benefit to cost ratio (BCR) of Community Links projects .................................................... 36
    8.2     Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions ........................................................................... 36
    8.3     Jobs sustained through Community Links projects ............................................................ 37
    8.4     Tourism ............................................................................................................................... 38
    8.5     Tourism on the NCN and links ............................................................................................ 39
    8.6     Estimated benefits of active travel on the NCN ................................................................... 39
9     Next Steps ................................................................................................................................. 40
Appendix One – Methodology........................................................................................................... 41
Appendix Two – Survey Dates .......................................................................................................... 51
      Multiple iterations sites .............................................................................................................. 51
      Single iteration sites ................................................................................................................... 52

     Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September
                                                                                                                                 3    2014
Report Summary

                     Usage of the National Cycle Network (NCN) in Scotland

                       increased by   7% between 2012 and 2013

     2012                                                         2013
                          48             Total97    million                    51             Total104     million
                                         trips on the NCN                                     trips on the NCN
                            49                                                        53

      17.1     %
      of those surveyed
                                                     68.9 km                         £298 million
                                                   of traffic-free and          the indicitive value of
      on the NCN were                              on-road NCN routes           leisure cycling and cycle
      commuting                                    were built/upgraded/         tourism on the NCN
                                                   redesignated between
                                                   December 2012 and
                                                        December 2013

                                                                                The estimated health
             The                                                                benefits of walking and
           potential                                                              cycling on the NCN

      saving of journeys
       on the NCN has
       increased from                                     50.4% of pupils           £66                £44
                                                           who took part            million            million
 54,586 tonnes       64,121 tonnes                          in the Hands
    in 2012                                                 Up Scotland
                         in 2013
                                                             survey said
                                                          they travelled to
                                                           school actively

                                                                                           16.3:1
                                                                                          Benefit
                                                                                       to cost ratio
                                                     Over half of users              for Community
                                                   surveyed on the NCN
                                                    meet the minimum                Links project in
      20.8 FTE jobs sustained                    physical activity guideline        West Barns, East
                                                     requirements of:
      through Community Links                                                             Lothian
      projects funded in 2013                             30 minutes
                                                        5 days a week
1         Introduction and Background
Sustrans Scotland manages funds on behalf of Transport Scotland. The bulk of these funds are
distributed as grants to partner organisations to deliver a variety of practical interventions to help
grow the numbers of people in Scotland making short trips by walking and cycling and particularly to
help realise the vision of the Government’s Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS), which is 10% of
trips by bike by 2020.
Sustrans works in partnership with a variety of agencies in Scotland to demonstrate how travel
behaviour in Scotland can change by delivering practical interventions to make the built environment
more conducive to walking and cycling and engaging with people to present the options available to
them to travel actively.
This report builds on previous annual reports of usage on the National Cycle Network (NCN) in
Scotland, other statistics and reports gathered and published by Sustrans Scotland and Sustrans
UK. The work has been completed by Sustrans’ Research & Monitoring Unit (RMU), which is based
in Newcastle upon Tyne. Unless stated otherwise, this report has been gathered and written by the
RMU.
Sustrans Scotland’s work is measured through six Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
1. Increased levels of walking and cycling
2. Increased levels of purposeful trips made by walking and cycling
3. Increased levels of attainment of recommended physical activity levels through walking and
   cycling
4. Improved community cohesion and liveability
5. Reductions in the incidence of KSI and perception of level of risk
6. Economic effectiveness and benefits
Our funding allows us to work in partnership with a variety of public and statutory agencies and
communities to deliver practical projects that help demonstrate how Scotland can work towards a
more active population, making more short trips by walking and cycling and helping deliver 10% of
trips by bike by 2020.

1   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
2         Overview of Key Outcomes
Following the continuation of funding to Sustrans Scotland from the Sustainable Transport Team in
Transport Scotland, Sustrans’ Research and Monitoring Unit (RMU) has been tasked with monitoring
the progress Sustrans Scotland makes against the key walking and cycling outcomes agreed
between Transport Scotland and Sustrans Scotland:

       Increased levels of walking and cycling
       Increased levels of purposeful trips made by walking and cycling
       Increased levels of attainment of recommended physical activity levels through walking and
        cycling
       Improved community cohesion and liveability
       Reductions in the incidence of KSI and perception of level of risk

This report also expresses the economic effectiveness and the benefits derived from the investment
in walking and cycling through the evidence presented.
Progress against these outcomes is assessed using a range of indicators derived from a variety of
data types. Data are collected from automatic cycle counters, route user intercept surveys (RUIS),
manual counts, the annual Hands up Scotland survey of school children, I Bike Hands up surveys
completed in schools participating in the I Bike programme, CCTV footage, household surveys,
workplace travel surveys, community engagement surveys and beneficiary surveys. More details on
the specific methodologies are in Appendix One.
This report is the second in a series of interim reports covering 2012-2015 with a final report being
produced at the end of the funding period in 2015. The most up to date data available is used in this
report. However because of the timescales for project delivery and monitoring some of this data is
from 2012-2013 and earlier. Sustrans RMU has refined its methodologies since the previous report
and has therefore updated previous data, where applicable, to match the new methodologies. Full
details of the methodologies used in this report are in Appendix One.

2   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
3           KPI 1: Increased levels of walking and cycling
Annual usage estimates for the National Cycle Network (NCN) in Scotland suggest that overall usage
of the NCN has increased by 7.0% between 2012 and 2013. Further evidence for a general increase
in active travel across Scotland is seen in 53 out of 79 automatic cycle counters and six out of nine
repeat survey locations measuring increased usage.
However, data from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS) Travel Diary1 for 2012 reports levels of
cycling appearing consistent across Scotland for the previous 10 years fluctuating between 0.7%
(2001 & 2007) to 1.3% (2011). Due to questionnaire changes in 2012 additional walking journeys
have been recorded so there is a break in the series and it is not possible to compare previous years.
In 2012 SHS data reports2 26.0% of journeys by main mode were walking and 1.2% by cycling.
Sustrans RMU monitors a variety of infrastructure schemes such as the NCN3 and Community
Links4, to provide data on changes in levels of walking and cycling over time or following a specific
intervention. To demonstrate these changes a variety of monitoring tools were utilised, primarily
RUIS, manual counts and automatic cycle counters. The methodology used to obtain the annual
usage estimate (AUE) for Scotland overall and at specific sites is given in Appendix One.

3.1         Overview
NCN
        68.9km of additional open and links to the NCN were built/upgraded/redesignated between
         December 2012 and December 2013.
        Estimated annual usage on the NCN in Scotland has increased by 7.0% from 2012.
        On an individual site basis, 32 of 43 automatic cycle counter sites on the NCN in Scotland
         recorded an increase in counts between 2012 and 2013.
        An increase in usage was recorded at three of the four locations on the NCN where repeat
         iterations of RUIS were performed.
Other schemes
        On an individual site basis, 21 of 36 automatic cycle counter sites on other routes in Scotland
         recorded an increase in counts between 2012 and 2013.
        Increases in walking and cycling were seen at three of five projects where post surveys where
         undertaken in 2013.
        32.1% increase in estimated usage at Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow following completion of the
         Connect2 scheme.

3.2         Expansion of NCN
Continued investment in the NCN in Scotland has led to an additional 68.9km of traffic-free (TF) and
on-road (OR) route being built/upgraded/redesignated since December 2012 (Table 3-1).

1
  http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/rrd_reports/uploaded_reports/j285661/j285661.pdf - Page 15 ‘[Main
mode] Percentage of journeys made by main mode of travel 1999 – 2012’.
2
  http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/SHS-Transport-local-Area-Analysis-2012-Webtables-
November-2013.pdf - Page 16 ‘SHS Travel Diary – Main mode of travel, 2012’.
3
  The NCN is a 3,600 km signed, mapped and promoted network of routes throughout Scotland that aim to provide a range of active travel
options from everyday commuting to longer, leisure adventures.
4
  Community Links are links of three miles or less that allow people to make every day trips to the places they want to get to under their
own steam. In the 2012-13 year 110 projects were delivered across Scotland making up the largest capital intervention Sustrans Scotland
manages over the financial year. Each Community link is a partnership initiative with grant recipients matching the funding award from
Sustrans on a 50-50 cash basis. Each project is governed by an MoU, which clarifies the technical standards, timescales and qualities of
each project. 10 sites were selected for Pre or Post monitoring with additional reporting to be delivered in 2013-14 report.

3     Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Table 3-1 : Scotland open and links NCN in km

                                    Urban TF                   Urban OR                    Rural TF                     Rural OR

    Dec-12                           446.7 km                  299.1 km                   723.6 km                  2,133.4 km

    Dec-13                           461.5 km                  300.0 km                   752.1 km                  2,158.1 km

    Change                          +14.8 km                    +0.9 km                   +28.5 km                      +24.7 km

This investment has led to improvements in access with 39.7%5 of the Scottish population now living
within 0.5 miles of the NCN, a 1.3 percentage point increase from 2012. This is compared to a 2.0
percentage point increase across the UK.

3.3           Annual usage estimate (AUE) - NCN
In order to get a more detailed picture of route usage on the NCN in Scotland and the UK as a
whole, annual usage estimates are generated. The estimated annual usage for the NCN in Scotland
reported below was generated using the length and characteristics of the network in Scotland to
estimate cycle kilometres for each group (see Appendix One for details of the methodology and
modifications made to the methodology since the 2012 report). In 2013, 104 million trips were made
on the NCN in Scotland and the estimated breakdown of this usage by cycling and walking trips is
given in Table 3-2.
Table 3-2 : Annual usage estimates (AUE) of pedestrian and cyclist trips on the NCN in
Scotland 2012 – 2013

                                        AUE total (millions)           AUE cyclists (millions)              AUE pedestrians
                                                                                                               (millions)

    2012                                           97                                48                                 49

    2013                                          104                                51                                 53

    % change                                    +6.99%                           +6.12%                            +7.84%

The estimated annual usage for 2013 suggests substantial growth in usage on the NCN in Scotland
since 20106, illustrated in Chart 3-1.

5
    The figures are derived from OS postcode household data and ONS super output area population data (updated 2007).
6
    Figures from 2010 – 2012 have been recalculated using the updated AUE methodology as presented in Appendix one.

4       Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Chart 3-1 : Annual usage estimate of pedestrian and cyclists on the NCN in Scotland

    60,000,000

    50,000,000

    40,000,000

    30,000,000

    20,000,000

    10,000,000

             0
                          2010                     2011                     2012                     2013

                                                  Cycle     Pedestrian

Across the UK, 748 million trips were made on the NCN in 2013, up 7% from 2012.

3.4          Annual usage estimates - site specific (NCN, Community Links,
             Connect2)
In addition to an overall figure for annual usage in Scotland estimated annual usage at specific sites
can be calculated where a route user intercept survey (RUIS) was carried out. Four RUIS were
undertaken during August (school holiday) and September (term time) in 2013 across the NCN at
sites which have been surveyed previously. The 2013 data together with the data from the previous
survey at each location are summarised in Table 3-3.
A further five pre and post intervention surveys were completed on Community Links and Connect2
projects. The 2013 surveys were commissioned for August/September 2013 and data together with
the data from the previous survey at each location are summarised in Table 3-4.
In total, pre and post usage data has been collected at 10 Community Links schemes since 20117,
eight of which have shown an increase in usage following completion of the scheme.

7
 Results from survey at six schemes were reported in First Interim Report in September 2013. Data from all sites will be aggregated for the
Final Report in 2015.

5      Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Table 3-3 : Breakdown of annual usage estimates (AUE) reported from repeat RUIS on the NCN
                                       8
Survey site                     Year           AUE                AUE                 AUE                Year             AUE               AUE                  AUE             Scheme            Site description      Overall
                                                                                             9
                                              cyclists         pedestrians           overall                             cyclists        pedestrians            overall                                                  change

Steadfastgate,                                                                                                                                                                                      Large Urban,
Edinburgh                       2005           95,090            177,400             288,918             2013            343,470            349,235            766,409              NCN           Traffic-free site on
                                                                                                                                                                                                        NCN 75
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Callander to                                                                                                                                                                                      Rural, Traffic-free
Kilmahog, Stirling
                                2009           31,493             43,649             76,360              2013             29,077             46,401             77,127              NCN
                                                                                                                                                                                                   site on NCN 7           
Linlithgow, West                                                                                                                                                                                     Small Urban,
Lothian*                        2011           39,980             92,060             148,658             2013             40,688             59,952            113,059              NCN           Traffic-free site on
                                                                                                                                                                                                       NCN 754
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Deeside Way,                                                                                                                                                                                       Medium Urban,
Aberdeen                        2009          121,631            154,983             296,983             2013            119,083            150,809            303,500              NCN           Traffic-free site on
                                                                                                                                                                                                       NCN 195
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

              * A pre-intervention survey was undertaken at Linlithgow, West Lothian as part of the Scottish Short Links programme. Completed in January 2011, the estimated baseline
              annual usage (AUE) on the route was 61,430. Upon completion of Phase 1 of the route a post-intervention survey was undertaken where the estimated annual usage
              increased to 148,658 trips. In 2013 the site was revisited after further works and an additional survey was completed. The estimated annual usage dropped to 113,059 with a
              noted drop in pedestrian usage. Further information is not available as to why this drop occurred and additional monitoring at the survey location would be required to
              understand if this change in usage was part of any trend.

              8
                  Year one in all tables represents the last available survey data for that survey location. An example is Steadfastgate where the last survey to be undertaken at this location was 2005.
              9
                  Overall usage includes cyclists, pedestrians and other users which incorporates joggers, wheelchair users, roller skates and pushchairs
              6       Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Table 3-4 : Breakdown of annual usage estimates (AUE) reported from repeat RUIS on Community Links/Connect2 projects

Survey site                  Year          AUE             AUE                AUE              Year            AUE             AUE            AUE overall    Scheme           Site            Overall
                                          cyclists      pedestrians          overall                          cyclists      pedestrians                                    description        change

Ardblair Trail,
Blairgowrie
                             2012          6,306            56,537           66,807            2013           15,741           80,376           104,756
                                                                                                                                                            Community
                                                                                                                                                              Links
                                                                                                                                                                           Small Urban,
                                                                                                                                                                            Traffic-free        
Dumbarton, West
Dunbartonshire *
                             2012          5,446            36,623           43,790            2013            2,222           32,266            34,893
                                                                                                                                                            Community
                                                                                                                                                              Links
                                                                                                                                                                           Small Urban,
                                                                                                                                                                          Road adjacent         
Roslin, Midlothian*          2012          7,964            30,621           43,630            2013           15,032           11,184            28,782
                                                                                                                                                            Community
                                                                                                                                                              Links
                                                                                                                                                                           Rural, Traffic-
                                                                                                                                                                               free             
West Barns, East
Lothian
                             2012          5,470            34,692           44,573            2013           10,955           45,099            56,530     Community
                                                                                                                                                              Links
                                                                                                                                                                           Small Urban,
                                                                                                                                                                          Traffic-free site     
                                                                                                                                                                            on NCN 76

Kelvingrove Park,
Glasgow
                             2009         29,183           344,257           458,656           2013           98,805           483,345          605,893     Connect2       Large Urban,
                                                                                                                                                                            Traffic-free         

              *There have been drops in usage at both Dumbarton and Roslin post intervention. Further investigation has failed to provide an adequate reason for this drop and additional
              post monitoring is being considered.

              7    Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
3.5                         Increases in walking and cycling at West Barns, East Lothian
West Barns, East Lothian (Route 76 of the NCN) demonstrates increases in walking and cycling
usage, including a jump in usage by children. The existing narrow path was upgraded to a two metre
wide tarmac surface through Community Links funding. The new path will be incorporated into the
North Sea Cycle route, John Muir Way, and is part of the NCN.
Chart 3-2 : Breakdown of four day 12 hour manual count at West Barns, East Lothian

                      500

                      450

                      400

                      350
    Number of users

                      300

                      250
                                                                                                                     Pre 2012
                      200                                                                                            Post 2013

                      150

                      100

                      50

                       0
                                   Cyclists                 Pedestrians                      Other
                                                              Activity

The intial bid received by East Lothian Council suggested the route would provide a safer, off road
route for local schools to access facilites. Further investigation of the manual count data suggests
the increase in usage has been driven by children walking and cycling on the route.
Before the intervention one child was recorded cycling and 29 walking. Following completion of the
route 70 children were recorded cycling and 83 walking.
The project has therefore met this key aim of providing access to local schools. In addition there
have also been increases in other user groups who have benefited from the improvements to the
path. Pre development cyclists, pedestrians and joggers were recorded using the route but following
the upgrade wheelchair users, horse riders, parents pushing children in pushchairs and children on
skate boards were also recorded utilising the path. The new tarmac surface on the path appears to
have widened accessibility, providing a safer traffic-free route for members of the community.

3.6                         Automatic cycle counters data
Data were gathered from a total of 79 counters in Scotland, both on the NCN and other routes. Of
these, an increase in the counts was recorded between 2012 and 2013 for 53 counter locations (21
showed a decrease in the count and five showed no change).
Two examples with good levels of continuous data have been selected to present in more detail:
North Edinburgh Access Route, West Granton and Eldon Street, Greenock. Both sites show an
increase in levels of cycling trips which are shown in Charts 3-3 and 3-4.

8             Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
A total of 36 months of data are available from a counter located near to the North Edinburgh Access
Road, West Granton. The counter is on a traffic-free section of path, part of the Roseburn-Craigleith-
Crewe Toll which crosses the Red Bridge and links to Route One of the NCN. Chart 3-3 shows that
the median weekday totals have increased year-on-year with clearly defined peaks in summer 2012
and 2013 after a relatively flat 2011. Data collected by the Met Office supports this change recording
the wettest year in a series since 191010 in 2011.
Chart 3-3 : Median monthly totals of cyclists at North Edinburgh Access Route, West Granton

                                 1,200
      Median count of cyclists

                                 1,000

                                  800

                                  600

                                  400

                                  200

                                    0

                                               Median daily total                                     Median weekday total                                                            Median weekend day total

A total of 24 months of data are available from a counter located on Eldon Street, Greenock. The
counter is located on a road adjacent section of Route 75 of the NCN which makes up part of route
connecting Leith in Edinburgh with Portavadie. Chart 3-4 shows that median monthly totals for the
summer months have increased between 2012 and 2013.
Chart 3-4 : Median monthly total change 2012 - 2013 at Eldon Street, Greenock

                                 150

                                 100
      Median count of cyclists

                                  50

                                   0
                                                                                           July

                                                                                                                                                                                                         July
                                                                                                  August

                                                                                                                       October

                                                                                                                                                                                                                August

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     October
                                                                                                                                 November

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               November
                                                                      April

                                                                                                                                                                                    April
                                                                                                                                                                                            May
                                                                              May

                                                                                                           September

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         September
                                                                                    June

                                                                                                                                                                                                  June
                                         January

                                                                                                                                            December

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          December
                                                              March

                                                                                                                                                       January
                                                                                                                                                                 February
                                                                                                                                                                            March
                                                   February

                                  -50

                                 -100

                                                                                                  2012                           2013                            difference

Both counters show seasonality with clear increases in cycling through the summer months. This is
supported by anecdotal evidence from surveys in workplaces and communities. Respondents have
indicated that one barrier to cycling either to work or for pleasure is the weather and further evidence
of this is provided by the SHS11 with 19% of respondents stating poor weather as a reason for not
10
     http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/summaries/2011/annual
11
     http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/statistics/j281378-06.htm - Changes to mode of travel – 6.11

9                     Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
cycling to work. It could therefore be assumed that the weather would also have an impact on leisure
cycling in the winter months. A longer series of counter data would be required to further investigate
this theory.

3.7         Make your move Kirkcaldy
The Make your move Kirkcaldy project comprises a range of interventions including improving the
walking and cycling routes in the town, advertising the benefits of choosing walking and cycling as
an alternative to motorised travel, and promoting information such as maps and training
opportunities as well as holding events. It aims to increase the share of journeys in Kirkcaldy made
by walking and cycling. One method of monitoring walking and cycling levels in Kirkcaldy is through
manual counts of route users at eight locations across the town. Manual counts were conducted at
the below locations in either 2013 or 2014 as a follow up to baseline counts conducted in 2011. Six
of the sites were selected as single manual count locations with an additional two locations selected
for a full RUIS including manual count. Five of the eight sites showed an increase in the annual usage
estimate over this time with AUEs given in the Tables 3-5 and 3-6.
Table 3-5 : AUEs at manual count locations in Kirkcaldy

 Location                                             2011 AUE                             2013 AUE

 Dunnikier Way                                          196,621                             207,799

 Overton Road                                           302,057                             228,011

 Victoria Road                                          146,036                             178,801

 Dronachy Road                                           68,334                              81,720

 Bennochy Road                                          669,447                             640,974

 Esplanade                                              491,703                             290,908

Table 3-6 : AUEs at RUIS locations in Kirkcaldy

 Location                                             2011 AUE                             2014 AUE

 Nether Street                                           84,057                             139,837

 Templehall Avenue                                      507,014                             734,087

Further analysis of the data has provided no definitive reasons why Overton Road and Bennochy
Road showed a decrease in usage. There were closures on the Esplanade which could account for
the decrease.

10    Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
4              KPI 2: Increased levels of ‘purposeful trips’ made by
               walking and cycling
Purposeful trips are defined as “the ordinary, everyday short trips currently made, in the main, by
car” but which could be made on foot or by bike. In the context of this report a ‘purposeful trip’
includes commuting, shopping and travelling to school/education.
In 2012, the SHS12 reported that 16% of all journeys to work were by active modes (13% walking
and 2% cycling). The most common reasons for not cycling to work were that it was too far to cycle
(36%), poor weather'(19%), that there were too many cars (14%), and that respondents did not have
a bike (14%).
Interventions delivered by Sustrans have given local communities, including schoolchildren, the
opportunity to undertake more of the journeys they wish to make everyday by walking and cycling,
with some sites showing notable increases in purposeful journeys.
Data from RUIS on the NCN and other routes, activities in communities and projects delivered in I
Bike schools were used to provide information on the types of purposeful journeys for this report.
Automatic cycle counter and manual count data are used to demonstrate change in usage during
commuting periods at specific sites.
In 2013, 17.1% (sample size 1,173) of those surveyed on the NCN were commuting: 29.5% of
cyclists and 10.9% of pedestrians were commuting. Results from the 2013 Hands up Scotland
survey show that 50.4% of pupils in Scotland said they normally travel to school actively, without
using any form of motorised transport. Although based on low numbers of respondents, repeat
surveys at six out of seven sites show an increase in the number of purposeful trips.

4.1            Overview
NCN
           17.1% of all respondents to RUIS carried out on the NCN were commuting.
           29.5% of cyclists interviewed as part of the RUIS on the NCN were commuting compared to
            10.9% of pedestrians.
           Survey responses from a RUIS at Deeside Way, Aberdeen indicated that 53.5% of cyclists
            were commuting in 2013 increasing from 43.0% in 2009.
Other schemes
           Repeat surveys at three of four Community Links schemes indicate an increase in the number
            of purposeful trips made at the sites.
           Ardblair Trail, Blairgowrie Community Links project shows an increase in walking and cycling
            trips by children during both school term time and school holidays.

12
     http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/statistics/j281378-06.htm

11      Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
4.2                    Breakdown of journey types on the NCN
All respondents to the RUIS carried out on the NCN in 2013 indicated that they were travelling on the
NCN for the reasons shown in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1 : Trips by journey type on the NCN in 2013

                                                                                            2013 (%)

 Leisure                                                                                       72.8

 Commuting                                                                                     17.1

 Shopping                                                                                       3.2

 Other                                                                                          3.2

 Personal business                                                                              2.6

 Education                                                                                      1.0

 Total                                                                                        100.0

4.3                    Pedestrian and cyclist comparison
Survey responses indicated that the way in which cyclists and pedestrian use the NCN differs. A
higher proportion of cyclists who responded to the survey were commuting when compared to
pedestrians and this is demonstrated in Chart 4-1.
Chart 4-1 : Cyclist and pedestrian on the NCN responses to question on current journey
purpose

                  90

                  80

                  70

                  60
     % response

                  50

                  40                                                                                                   Cycle
                  30                                                                                                   Walk

                  20

                  10

                   0
                        Commute   Education    Shopping Other escort Personal            Leisure       Other
                                                                     business
                                                        Journey purpose
                                                                                                      Cycle n = 404
                                                                                                      Walk n = 709

12         Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
4.4 Number of ‘purposeful trips’ at specific NCN sites and Community
    Links projects
Repeat surveys were undertaken at seven sites (three NCN and four Community Links) in 2013.
These have been analysed to provide data on the numbers of trips for commuting, shopping or to /
from schools / colleges/ universities (Table 4-2). Six of the seven sites show an increase in the
number of purposeful trips since the previous survey indicating a positive impact of interventions on
increasing purposeful trips by active modes. However, not all journey purposes have increased at
these sites and results should be treated with caution due to low numbers of survey respondents.

13   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Table 4-2 : Estimated annual numbers of purposeful trips13 reported at NCN sites and
Community Links projects

                                        Estimated           Estimated           Estimated
                                                                                                    Changes
                                         annual               annual             annual
                         Year                                                                        made to             Scheme
                                        commuter             shopper            education
                                                                                                    the route
                                          total                total              total

Callander to             2009                  0                  0                   0              Leisure             National
 Kilmahog,                                                                                          route with            Cycle
  Stirling               2013                188                 167                  0            no upgrade            Network

 Linlithgow,             2012                908               3,027                  0                                  National
                                                                                                     Towpath
    West                                                                                                                  Cycle
                                                                                                     upgrade
   Lothian               2013               4,644              4,054               1,929                                 Network

                                                                                                     Disused
                         2009              55,763                918                  0            railway line
      Deeside                                                                                                            National
                                                                                                     in urban
       Way,                                                                                                               Cycle
                                                                                                   areas used
     Aberdeen                                                                                                            Network
                                                                                                   for multiple
                         2013              68,861              3,228               3,467
                                                                                                    purposes

                                                                                                    Upgraded
                         2012                733               4,523                  0             route from
West Barns,
                                                                                                    desire line        Community
   East
                                                                                                     allowing            Links
 Lothian
                                                                                                      leisure
                         2013                787                  0                   0               usage

                         2012                  0                 348                  0             New path
Blairgowrie,                                                                                          linking          Community
    P&K                                                                                            community             Links
                         2013               2,614                 0                   0*            to school

Dumbarton,               2012               4,027              6,183               3,651           Links train
  West                                                                                                                 Community
                                                                                                    station to
Dunbartons                                                                                                               Links
                         2013               8,689              4,701               1,435           community
   hire

                         2012                  0                 854                  0              Upgrade
  Roslin,                                                                                                              Community
                                                                                                   from desire
 Midlothian                                                                                                              Links
                                                                                                       line
                         2013               1,699                 0                   0

   *RUIS are not undertaken with route users under the age of 16 suggesting that although route was built primarily to link the local
community with the school campus it is also being utilised by commuters as a traffic-free route to work. Figures from the manual count
       at Blairgowrie have shown an increase in usage among children. This is discussed in more detail in Section 5.9.

13
 Estimated annual commuter/shopper/education totals are derived by applying the journey purpose % from survey data to the overall
AUE for each site as shown in Table 3-3 and Table 3-4.

14     Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
4.5 Travel to school
     Sustrans carries out the Hands up Scotland survey annually. Starting in 2008 this is the largest
     national dataset to look at travel to school across Scotland and collects data from schools
     regardless of whether there are any walking or cycling activities currently being delivered. Since
     2011, Hands up Scotland data have had Official Statistics status in Scotland.
     Sustrans also delivers the I Bike programme of activities in schools in five local authorities – Dumfries
     and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Fife and Perth and Kinross which is covered in
     Section 4.5.2. In addition, Sustrans runs an annual project to match fund the installation of cycle
     parking at schools across Scotland.
     4.5.1 Hands up Scotland
     Table 4-3 shows the modal share for travel to school by school types in Scotland for 2012 and 2013.
     Table 4-3 : Hands up Scotland survey : Travel modes by school type 2012 and 2013

School type      Year       Walk         Cycle      Scooter/        Park &       Driven         Bus          Taxi       Other        Total
                                                     Skate          Stride

  Nursery        2012      42.0%         3.0%          3.0%          4.3%        43.9%         2.8%         0.7%        0.3%        19,411

                 2013      41.0%         2.8%          3.8%          3.8%        44.6%         2.9%         0.7%        0.3%        19,737

  Primary        2012      47.8%         4.1%          2.5%          9.8%        26.5%         7.5%         1.6%        0.2%       282,468

                 2013      46.0%         5.0%          4.3%          9.6%        25.5%         7.7%         1.7%        0.2%       288,812

 Secondary       2012      42.2%         1.1%          0.2%          4.3%        14.1%        35.8%         1.3%        1.0%       166,169

                 2013      42.0%         0.9%          0.2%          4.1%        13.9%        36.9%         1.2%        0.8%       171,594

                                                                                                                         15.0
   SEN†          2012       1.8%            *          0.0%             *         3.6%        20.5%        59.0%                     1,555
                                                                                                                          %

                 2013       1.0%         0.4%             *             *         3.3%        40.5%        50.3%        4.4%         1,301

Independent      2012      14.9%         0.8%          1.1%         11.0%        42.3%        27.8%         0.2%        2.0%         7,296

                 2013      15.3%         1.4%          1.2%          8.5%        44.3%        26.4%         0.4%        2.5%         5,690

  Overall¥       2012      45.1%         2.9%          1.6%          7.8%        22.2%        18.2%         1.7%        0.5%       457,488

                 2013      44.1%         3.5%          2.8%          7.5%        21.4%        18.8%         1.6%        0.4%       467,397

                                                †SEN – Special Education Needs
                                                          ¥Except nursery
                                           *Suppressed data due to low responses

     15   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
In 2013, over 467,000 children from 2,017 schools and 540 nurseries took part in the survey from all
32 local authorities in Scotland.
50.4% of pupils surveyed in 2013 said that they normally travel to school in an active way without
any form of motorised transport:
           44.1% of pupils said they normally walk to school
           3.5% of pupils said they normally travel to school by bicycle
           2.8% said that they normally use a scooter or skateboard to travel to school

41.8% of pupils surveyed in 2013 said that they normally travel to school using only a motorised
mode of transport:

           21.4% of pupils said that they are normally driven to school
           18.8% of pupils said that they normally take the bus to school
           1.6% said that they normally travel to school by taxi
In addition to those travelling solely by an active or motorised mode of travel to school, 7.5% of
pupils said that they normally park and stride to school.
Data from the SHS states that:
“Fifty two percent of all journeys to school were made by walking or cycling in 2012. The levels have
remained relatively stable over the last ten years.”14
4.5.2 I Bike
The overarching aim of I Bike is to increase the number of pupils cycling to school. Specific aims of
the project are to counter the decline in cycling levels as pupils move from primary school to
secondary school and to recognise and support the differing needs of male and female pupils
regarding cycling. Additional data on the I Bike project methodology is available in Appendix One.
Chart 4-2 shows the changes in frequency of cycling at I Bike schools between 2012-13.

14
     http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/statistics/j281378-06.htm

16      Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Chart 4-2 : Responses to the question ‘How often do you cycle to school?’

                                                              How often do you cycle to school?

                                  80.0                                                                              74.2

                                  70.0                                                                                     64.1

                                  60.0
       Percentage of pupils (%)

                                  50.0

                                  40.0

                                  30.0

                                  20.0
                                                                                                             11.3
                                                                               7.7                     9.5
                                  10.0                                                     7.3
                                           2.9 4.5       3.9 5.1         4.6         4.9

                                   0.0
                                          Every day   Three or four Once or twice Once or twice A few times a       Never
                                                      times a week    a week        a month         year

                                                         Pre 2012-2013                      Post 2012-2013
                                                          n = 5,417                        n = 4,846

Chart 4-2 is consistent with responses to last year survey which showed ‘every day’ cycling
increasing from 2.9% to 4.1% and ‘never’ decreasing from 74.8 % to 60.2%, further years data
would be required to suggests any trends in this result.
In addition to this pupil survey results in 2013 have also shown the following positive impacts of I
Bike:
                                 levels of regular walking to school have increased by 6.2 percentage points, from 53.5% to
                                  59.7% after one year of engagement
                                 the percentage of pupils regularly scooting and skating to school have increased by 4.3
                                  percentage points (from 3.5% to 7.8%) after one year of project engagement
                                 these increases in active travel to school correspond with a decrease in car use: the
                                  percentage of pupils being regularly driven to school decreased by 3.9 percentage points,
                                  from 49.3% before I Bike to 45.4% after one year
                                 alongside this, the percentage of pupils ‘never’ being driven to school increased by 2.2
                                  percentage points from 36.6% to 38.8%.

By demonstrating increased levels of cycling to school, pupil survey results, therefore, suggest that I
Bike has had a positive impact on pupils’ physical activity levels. Recent academic research
suggests that increasing active travel to school is associated with an increase in the total amount of
time children spend in moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.15 Research also shows that
children who cycle to school are fitter and have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those
who walk or travel passively.16

15
     Goodman (2011) Activity compensation and activity synergy in British 8-13 year olds
16
     Andersen et al (2011) Cycling to School and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Longitudinal Study

17            Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
4.6 Case Study: Increased usage for school trips at Ardblair Trail,
    Blairgowrie
The Ardblair Trail, Blairgowrie is a local path in the vicinity of a number of public facilities including
Blairgowrie High School, leisure centre, learning centre and community campus (incorporating two
primary schools and a nursery). Previously a desire line behind a housing estate, the trail was built in
response to a request from the local community for an upgraded route linking local residential areas
with the community campus and other facilities listed above. Additional concerns had been raised
about the safety of children crossing at a central junction and speed of traffic in the area. By
providing a traffic-free path between the campus and residential area and introducing a raised table
crossing, the council aimed to provide:
“..the necessary infrastructure and road safety improvements in order to create safe, welcoming and
inclusive communities.”
In addition there had been safety concerns raised about parents parking outside of the high school
and community campus and the council hoped the improved facilities would encourage parents to
walk with their children or allow them to walk or cycle to school via the improved route.
Manual count data collected at survey location before the installation of the path and following
completion has shown a noted increase in usage amongst children as shown in Table 4-4.
Table 4-4 : Child manual count data from Ardblair Trail, Blairgowrie

                                  Children – non term time                                  Children – term time

                       Pedestrian            Cyclist          Pushchair         Pedestrian            Cyclist          Pushchair

 Pre                         36                 29                 26                 8                  10                 11

 Post                        77                 18                 6                 386                 67                 47

 Change                     +41                -11                -20               +378                +57                +36

4.7 Evidence for increased commuting: Edinburgh count data
There has been continued investment in cycling in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Active Travel Action
Plan (ATAP) has a target of 15% of commuter trips made by bike by 2020. There is good data
available from various cycle counters across Edinburgh and 12 out of 15 of these show an increase
in annual average daily totals between 2012 and 2013. Compared to Scotland overall Edinburgh has
high levels of cycling with 4.8% of journeys to work by bicycle as the main mode of transport to
work, compared to 1.6% for Scotland overall17. These levels of cycling are reflected in the counter
data. Examples of manual count data from Steadfastgate, and automatic cycle counter data from the
North Edinburgh Access Road counter in West Granton indicate how levels of cycle trips are higher
at peak times suggesting a high level of usage by commuters. Peak time usage has also increased
over time.
4.7.1 Steadfastgate manual count
Analysis of manual count data at Steadfastgate, Edinburgh undertaken in 2005 and repeated in 2013
indicates a change in when people travel on the route. Count data was collected over four 12 hour
periods in 2005 and repeated in 2013 on this route in central Edinburgh recording route users

17
     Census 2011 Table QS701SC

18      Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
travelling SW into the city and NE away from the centre towards Leith. Charts 4-3 and 4-4 show data
collected on the route for the weekday during term time for both 2005 and 2013.
Chart 4-3 : 12 hour pedestrian manual count at Steadfastgate, Edinburgh in 2005 and 2013
travelling towards Edinburgh City Centre on a Weekday in Term Time

                             40
                             35
     Number of pedestrians

                             30
                             25
                             20
                             15                                                                                   2013 SW from NE
                             10                                                                                   2005 SW from NE
                              5
                              0
                                  11:00

                                  18:30
                                  07:00
                                  07:30
                                  08:00
                                  08:30
                                  09:00
                                  09:30
                                  10:00
                                  10:30

                                  11:30
                                  12:00
                                  12:30
                                  13:00
                                  13:30
                                  14:00
                                  14:30
                                  15:00
                                  15:30
                                  16:00
                                  16:30
                                  17:00
                                  17:30
                                  18:00
                                                              Time

Chart 4-4 : 12 hour pedestrian manual count at Steadfastgate, Edinburgh in 2005 and 2013
travelling away from Edinburgh City Centre on a Weekday in Term Time

                             50
                             45
     Number of pedestrians

                             40
                             35
                             30
                             25
                             20                                                                                   2013 NE from SW
                             15
                                                                                                                  2005 NE from SW
                             10
                              5
                              0
                                  11:00

                                  18:30
                                  07:00
                                  07:30
                                  08:00
                                  08:30
                                  09:00
                                  09:30
                                  10:00
                                  10:30

                                  11:30
                                  12:00
                                  12:30
                                  13:00
                                  13:30
                                  14:00
                                  14:30
                                  15:00
                                  15:30
                                  16:00
                                  16:30
                                  17:00
                                  17:30
                                  18:00

                                                              Time

The data show the hourly profiles for both directions at Steadfastgate and suggest that usage has
changed from a mixed use path with slight peaks at commuting times to a more defined commuter
route with high peaks in usage in the morning heading south west into Edinburgh city centre and in
the evening heading north east out of Edinburgh city centre.
4.7.2 North Edinburgh Access counter
In addition to clearly defined increases in usage at the North Edinburgh Access counter in West
Granton as presented in Chart 3-3, there has also been a noted increase in the median count
between 2012 and 2013 during recognised commuting periods as shown in Chart 4-5.

19                 Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Chart 4-5 : Median hourly total change 2012 – 2013 at North Edinburgh Access, West Granton

                                90
                                80
     Median count of cyclists

                                70
                                60
                                50
                                40
                                30
                                20
                                10
                                 0
                                     0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

                                                                         2012      2013
                                                                                                                                          :

Increasing in commuting by bicycle are not only evident in Edinburgh. The Deeside Way is a Bitmac
surface traffic-free route on a disused railway line within Aberdeen city, part of the route which runs
from Aberdeen to Ballater and is used for both recreation and commuting. Data from 2009 and 2013
RUIS have been analysed and show that an increase in the numbers of cyclists commuting with
usage increasing from 41,528 trips in 2009 to 56,176 trips in 2013.

20                   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
5          KPI 3: Increased levels of attainment of
           recommended physical activity levels through
           walking and cycling
Aggregated data from RUIS responses in 2013 show 53.8% of respondents completed 30 minutes
or more of physical activity on five or more days of the previous week (one way of demonstrating
attainment of Chief Medical Officer’s recommended physical activity levels).
There is evidence that Sustrans interventions are helping to increase levels of physical activity.
Increases in the number of respondents meeting the recommended level of physical activity were
seen at four of six sites with repeat surveys. A majority of respondents at all four Community Links
schemes surveyed said that the routes have helped increase the amount of physical activity they
regularly undertake.
Changes in physical activity can be attributed to a number of factors but evidence at specific
locations on the network suggests that by providing relevant infrastructure, tailored programmes and
guidance it is possible to demonstrate increased levels of physical activity.

5.1 Overview
NCN
        When surveyed, 53.8% of respondents on the NCN confirmed that they had completed 30
         minutes or more of physical activity on five or more days in the previous week.
        Analysis of data from two survey locations on the NCN with baseline and follow-up data
         show increases in physical activity.
Other schemes
        Analysis of data from four Community Links projects with pre/post data show increases in
         physical activity at two schemes.
        The majority of survey respondents at four Community Links projects agreed that the route
         has helped increase their levels of physical activity.
        Breasclete Community Association member feedback on the positive impact of a Community
         Links project on levels of physical activity in older residents of the community.

5.2 Physical activity levels - RUIS
Aggregated RUIS data from 2013 suggests over half (53.8%) of route users surveyed on the NCN are
meeting the recommended weekly targets for physically activity (at least 150 minutes (2 hours and
30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week or at
least 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days in the previous week).
Table 5-1 shows the percentage of respondents who had completed 30 minutes or more of physical
activity on five or more days in the past week, as recorded in both pre and post completion surveys
of Community Links schemes and at baseline/follow-up on the NCN.

21   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Table 5-1 : Percentage of respondents completing the recommended level of physical activity
over the previous seven days at survey sites on Community Links projects and on the NCN

                                                                    5 days of           6 days of            7 days of          Percentage
                                                                    physical            physical             physical              point
                                                                     activity            activity             activity           change of
                                                                       (%)                 (%)                  (%)             respondent
                                                                                                                                completing
                                                                                                                                 5 or more
                                                                                                                                    days

                                              2012 (Pre)                24.9                6.2                  37.3
 Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross
                                                                                                                                   +11.3%
                                              2013 (Post)               17.8                0.0                  61.9

 Dumbarton, West                              2012 (Pre)                14.8                6.3                   26
 Dunbartonshire                                                                                                                     -4.6%
                                              2013 (Post)               15.5                4.8                  22.2

                                              2012 (Pre)                24.4                2.3                  1.8
 Roslin, Midlothian
                                                                                                                                   +26.2%
                                              2013 (Post)               4.1                 1.7                  48.9

                                              2012 (Pre)                16.8                8.4                  39.7
 West Barns, East Lothian                                                                                                          -12.8%*
                                              2013 (Post)               11.5                0.0                  40.6

                                              2009                      11.2                4.2                  23.7
 Callander to Kilmahog,
                                                                                                                                    +9.8%
 Stirling
                                              2013                      15.5                7.3                  26.1

                                              2009                      9.6                 4.9                  40.2
 Deeside Way, Aberdeen                                                                                                             +15.0%
                                              2013                      18.2                10.6                 40.9

*Increases in usage have been seen at West Barns but this does not necessarily lead to increases in physical activity as additional factors
         such as displacement may have influenced the increase and under 16s are not interviewed as part of the RUIS process.

5.3 The impact of routes on increasing levels of physical activity
Community Links schemes are small infrastructure schemes designed to link communities to the
places they regularly visit. Three of the four schemes listed below have been upgraded from loose
track / desire lines with the exception of Dumbarton where existing footways were redetermined to a
more secure shared space. By providing an alternative to driving, the schemes aim to increase levels
of physical activity and Table 5-2 provides an indication of the impact the routes have had.

22   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
Table 5-2 : Responses by all users on Community Links projects to the question ‘Has the
presence of this route helped you to increase the amount of physical activity that you regularly
take?’

                                     Yes, by a large                  Yes, by a small                        No (%)
                                      amount (%)                       amount (%)

Blairgowrie, Perth &                         52.4                             36.3                             11.3
Kinross

Dumbarton, West                              28.1                             42.4                             29.5
Dunbartonshire

Roslin, Midlothian                           82.2                             17.8                              0.0

West Barns, East                             43.4                             25.7                             30.9
Lothian

Table 5-2 suggests that the presence of routes developed by Community Links projects have helped
increase levels of physical activity at all locations, 100% of respondents at Roslin agreed that the
route had helped increase their levels of physical activity. Aggregated data from all respondents on
the four Community Links projects show a 20.1 percentage point increase in respondents who
completed 30 minutes or more of physically active for seven days in the previous week. The data
suggests by linking the places people live with the places they want to get to people will make more
trips by sustainable means and become more physically active as a consequence.

5.4 Breasclete Community - Feedback
The Community Links project in Breasclete, on the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles built a multi-
purpose path to address the needs of the community for a safer, traffic-free path where no path
existed before.
A member of the Breasclete Community Association was interviewed for feedback on the installation
of the path and discussed how the local residents utilise the traffic-free route. The respondent stated
that:
“People walk their dogs, children walk or cycle to school. The paths also allow older people and
disabled people to walk or use a wheelchair in safety away from the traffic, giving them access to
gentle exercise and some social inclusion.”
“Not everybody (in the community) drives so people can walk more between places.”
It was felt that paths built in coastal communities are long “…and you have to drive to them and then
either walk back or be met at the other end. The beauty with these paths is they are on your doorstep
so you don’t have to drive anywhere to enjoy a walk and the scenery. People are more likely to walk if
it’s outside their house than if they have to drive for miles.”
The feedback from the survey and interview indicate how the development of the path has benefitted
the community by allowing people a place to exercise in safety and limit the isolation of those who
do not have a car.

23   Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
5.5 E-bikes, Cairngorms National Park
In 2013 Sustrans led a project funded by the Scottish Government Energy and Climate Change
Directorate to support the development and delivery of a Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA)
Cycling Strategy and Action Plan. As part of this initiative, Sustrans also developed a pilot ‘Electric
Bike Network’ (EBN), to stimulate the use of electric bikes by visitors and locals for travel within the
Park. The network was officially launched in July 2013 with 20 E-bikes available to hire from eight
locations around the Park, and ran for four months until the end of October. They proved popular
with users. An E-bike hub stakeholder commented:
“People who have used them have said the whole experience is just great fun….they invariably go
much further than they intended to, and a couple of times people who rented the bikes for half a day
have phoned to ask if they can hang on to them for the rest of the day.”
Follow up surveys with those who had used the E-bikes found that three individuals had purchased
E-bikes following their experience in the CNP and two individuals were using them to replace car
journeys. The journeys that had been replaced were for leisure and visiting friends/family and
amounted to a combined 187km (116 miles) per week (nine hours cycling).
Survey respondents were asked how likely it is that they would use E-bikes and conventional bikes
more often in the future and the results are shown in Chart 5-1.
Chart 5-1 : Likelihood of respondents cycling more in the future

                             25
                                   23                                                                  Ebike
                                                                                                       Conventional cycle
                             20
                                                                                                       n = 41
     Number of respondents

                             15
                                        13              13
                                                   11
                             10

                              5                                        4                        4
                                                                                                                    3
                                                                             2                                  2
                                                                                           0
                              0
                                  Very likely       Likely            Unlikely         Very unlikely        Don't know
                                                             How likely to cycle more?

Although this is a relatively small survey sample the responses indicate the positive impact of using
E-bikes on future physical activity levels.
Renting E-bikes was most popular with an older demographic as 75% of those who rented the bike
were aged 45 or over. The E-bikes were also beneficial to individuals who had health issues or were
in older age groups. The extra power provided by the E-bikes enables users to participate in physical
activities, i.e. cycling in the Cairngorms that they may not otherwise have been able to do.

24                 Sustrans Scotland: walking and cycling outcomes Sustrans' Scottish Government Grant 2012 – 2015: Second Interim Report September 2014
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