In 1997/98 Spokes became very concerned that the Scottish Office Health Minister Sam Galbraith and his officials seemed to see sport as the only route to increased physical activity for the bulk of the population [see Spokes 68, 70]. The physical activity section of the 1998 Public Health consultation Green Paper included 5½ paragraphs on sport, and only the end of the 6th paragraph referred to everyday activity such as walking and cycling. Spokes, and many individual members, wrote to highlight this lack of understanding. Spokes also contacted all Directors of Public Health, Health Council chairs, and Directors of Transport throughout Scotland, asking them to make similar points in their own submissions.
The result of the consultation is now out, the Scottish Public Health White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland [ISBN 0.10.142692.5, £6 from the Stationery Office]. There are now 2 paragraphs on physical activity: one of which could hardly be better "Moderate physical activity in the form of everyday activities such as walking and cycling also makes a vital contribution to positive health and active ageing." It then calls for more co-operation between all relevant departments and agencies, and promises a Task Force, with new resources, to develop and take forward a National Physical Activity Strategy for Scotland.
Perhaps even more significant, the White Paper sets an astonishingly ambitious target to increase the proportion of adults taking 30+ minutes of moderate activity at least 5 times weekly from 1995 figures of 32% of men and 22% of women to 50%/40% by 2005 and 60%/50% by 2010.
Just think of the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve such a target! We wonder if the government fully realised just how ambitious it is?? We cannot see how it can be done without a massive increase in walking/cycling. It will be vital to keep a high profile for this target. We urge members to note it and highlight it at all opportunities, e.g. when writing to MPs, councillors, etc. See Factsheet 1 for their address.
Please consider writing now to your MP, asking them to pass on congratulations to Health Minister Sam Galbraith, on setting such a remarkable target, and asking what steps are to be taken to achieve the 2005 figure, only just over 5 years away. Surely one urgent step must be a new transport fund for walking/cycling schemes, like the government's recent Public Transport Fund [Spokes 71]. If you write, please send us any useful replies!
There are several other very useful sections in the White Paper (e.g. the Environment section). The only significant disappointment is that it does not specifically refer to Safe Routes to School, although it does emphasise the need for much-increased child physical activity; accident reduction "the principal cause of death and injury to children"; and the concept of 'health-promoting schools'. Also, the target for adult physical activity is a powerful argument for parents to take young children to school on foot or bike instead of by car; and to get older children into such habits by Safe Routes to School. In order to achieve the year 2005 target a major factor could be if secondary school children between 2000-2005 became accustomed to walk/cycle to 'work', then stuck to this habit as they became adult. If the coming generation is not trained into healthy habits, the adult target for future years is unlikely to be met!
Spokes member Tony Galloway attends the new Midlothian Council Access Forum, and would welcome any suggestions. He has been asked to prepare a 'wish list' of policies, routes and targets that Spokes would like to see, to be submitted by 26 March.
His initial ideas include: targets for car-use reduction; a stronger Safe Routes to School policy; green-transport policies by the council for its own staff; a safe route from Eskbank to Little France (Infirmary site); various leisure routes such as a Coal Trail. These ideas are in addition to the council's own initial proposals, which include a Sustrans National route Edinburgh-Borders via Midlothian.
Please send your ideas to Tony as soon as possible, and well before 26 March. Address: Tony Galloway, 42 Mitchell St, Dalkeith EH22 1JQ or phone 0131.663.6000.
Does anyone know of research studies which give figures for changes in health of a population which are thought to be the result of a change in travel patterns - whether for better or worse. If so, send details to Tom Rye 0131.455.2210 or t.rye@napier.ac.uk.
A new competition has been announced for projects which boost employment in a sustainable way in various areas, one of which is transport. Apart from the £1500 prize, there will be a lot of publicity for winning entries. Details on website www.svneurope.com.
Edinburgh Bicycle www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk then Scottish cycletouring info page.
BikeBus weekends/holiday freespace.virgin.net/bike.bus
EDINBURGH NEW STREET PROPOSALS
£50m plans have been lodged for a 760-space car park, offices, shops, housing and possibly a hotel, at the old Eastern Scottish bus depot site, which is currently a 330-space car park. Quite apart from this massive increase in inner-city car access, the plans are appalling for cyclists. The Central Edinburgh Local Plan (p.93 & 138) shows the continuation of the Innocent cycleroute from East Edinburgh towards Princes Street passing through the south-west part of this site. However, not only do the submitted plans omit this, but they totally omit any mention of cyclists at all. Moreover the main road entry/exit of the site is at the New St/Market St junction, just where the Local Plan shows the cycleroute emerging! Nor are there any cycleroute connections through the site (e.g. to Calton Road), or bike parking, etc. To comment on or object to the plan, write to: the Director of Planning, Edinburgh Council, 1 Cockburn Street as soon as possible, quoting reference 99/0485. The plans (and Central Edinburgh Local Plan) may also be inspected at the same address in working hours. Copy your letter to Spokes.
£15m plans have been lodged for the Water of Leith and surrounding areas west of the Victoria Bridge. It is an exciting development, but again cyclists are totally forgotten. In particular it is crucial that the Water of Leith path remains open to and useable by cyclists, but the plans show a still narrow path, with boat accesses and many kiosks/facilities beside it, which will mean difficulties for cycling, and that other users will be annoyed by the presence of cyclists. Please write in about the need to preserve and widen the path as a cycleroute; or go and look at the plans yourself and send in a fuller letter. Address as in previous paragraph. A reference number has not yet been allocated, but say you are writing to comment on the Planning Application for the Leith Water Village.
SLATEFORD-BALERNO PATH SURFACE
There still remains considerable doubt as to what surface will be used when this path is upgraded as part of the Millennium Water of Leith project. The route is also meant to form part of the National Cycleroute Network from Glasgow to Edinburgh. The leaflet illustrating the bid for Millennium funding said that the main purpose was to create "a continuous walking and cycling route from Leith to Balerno", but the Council's Recreation Department, which 'owns' the path is now saying they do not even regard it as a cycleway!! Spokes has written a strong letter about this to Cllr David Begg, Transportation Convener, especially as the council's contribution to upgrading the path is coming from the Transport budget, not from Recreation! We are very concerned that a surfacing will be used which rapidly deteriorates again once it gets covered in rotten leaves, and trodden by the many horses using sections of the path, especially those with poor drainage.
If you are concerned about this issue,
write to: Cllr David Begg, Transportation Convener, City Chambers,
High Street, Edinburgh 1. Send us any useful replies.
Go back to top
of page
Feb 27 City Car Club demonstration James Gillespie playground, 2-4pm, talk at 3pm. Brian Torrance 469.3621.
Mar 3 SPOKES PUBLIC ELECTION FORUM Friends Meeting Hse, Victoria Ter 7.30 (6.45 for tea, coffee, chat).
Mar 4 Freedom to Roam Ramblers Scotland 'members meeting' with MSP candidates. 7.30pm. Royal Overseas League 100 Princes St. 0131.220.2353. F.Lawson. [Spokes is affiliated to RA and so we have an invitation].
Mar 10 Sciennes Safe Routes public meeting at Sciennes Primary school 7.30. Cllr Moyra Forrest will be present. To discuss Safe Routes Group proposal to close Sciennes Road to motor traffic, and extend playground over road. Also various other local road closures/cycle routes. Cathy Scott 667.6740 or thistle@btinternet.com.
Mar 15 City Car Club begins Brian Torrance 469.3621.
Mar 21 (provisional) Family Cycling Day based on Edinburgh off-road paths. This is proposed, possibly as an annual event, by Mike Lindup, formerly of group Level 42. Although a London resident, Mike has Edinburgh contacts and was so impressed with our off-road paths that he devised this project. To help organise or for details phone him at 0181.946.1197 or fax 0181.947.4702.
Mar 22 Environmental and Health Education Manifesto for Scotland conference Glasgow. Speakers include Sam Galbraith, Scottish Health Minister. Spokes member David Leslie [0131.441.5676] is attending. www.gla.ac.uk/Events/ joining_forces.html. Sorry don't have phone number here.
Mar 24 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL CONFERENCE 'What government, councils, schools and individuals can do'. £5 (children £2.50). Lothian Safe Routes [0131.229.0072 or ch.edinburgh@virgin.net].
Mar 27-28 Ford & Etal Challenge Weekend of cycle events, challenges, entertainment etc. Very near Berwick, so can take bike by rail. Phone 01289.331476 or challenge@brilliantbicycles.co.uk.
Apr 10 Voting for a Green Scotland 9.30-13.00 Friends Mtg House, Victoria Terrace. Public discussion forum by Scottish Green Party on how to ensure the new Parliament adopts green issues onto its agenda from the start. European Green politicians will be present. 0131.478.7896.
Apr 22 Countryside Access Day conference on behaviour, responsibilities, etc. At Perth. SCAN, 01738.828470.
Apr 24 CYCLE CAMPAIGN CONFERENCE Newcastle Spokes will pay registration fee + rail/bus for up to 2 active members to attend. Others urged to attend too! Also local rides on the Friday and Sunday. Accommodation with members of Tynebikes, the local campaign group. Details from Dave du Feu if interested. 01506.670165.
May 6 PARLIAMENT & COUNCIL ELECTIONS
May 26 SLOW SPEEDS CONFERENCE Linlithgow. See article Spokes 71 p3. Note date change from Mar 3. 0131.467.7714 or slowdown@transformscotland.org.uk.
May 30 Bike to the Future - Edinburgh FOE Scotland sponsored ride. 0131.554.9977 Alison Taylor.
June 6 WWF sponsored ride - Stirling. 01887.820449.
June 13 Airdrie/Bathgate fun ride on Sustrans railway-path, looking at sculpture trail and work of CSCT, Central Scotland Countryside Trust. 0131.623.7600 Sustrans.
June 13 Bike to the Future - Glasgow - as May 30.
June 20 Bike to the Future - Inverness - as May 30.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|