We Need to Talk about Active Travel

Describe in 40 words how you would procrastinate for a year.

The best entry so far comes from the Active Travel Task Force:

"To identify and make recommendations to the Minister for Transport and the Islands
 on ways to improve delivery of ambitious, inclusive walking and cycling projects in Scotland,
 helping to create high quality places and communities that support health and wellbeing"

Their full supporting documentation can be found at:
http://www.transport.gov.scot/environment/active-travel-task-force

This Task Force was announced by Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP
at the Active Travel Summit on Wednesday 2 November 2016
and met for the first time, three months later, on 8 February 2017.

As well as Transport Scotland and COSLA,
the other members are drawn from Sustrans, SESTRANS and NESTRANS.
A representative for younger people is also on the cards (YoungTrans?).
But no mention of a disabled representative. I suggest RNIB Scotland.

The Sustainable Transport Team have embraced the duties of Secretariat,
one of which will be to update the Transport Scotland website with progress updates.

They have also invited "known organisations and individuals" to submit written evidence by 10 March 2017.
(They're only asking for 1,200 words - you'll not need more than a fortnight.)
The evidence will then be summarised, circulated and considered by the the Task Force.

If your not on their "known list" you can still submit your evidence using the online form at:
http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/attf-evidence-form-230217.pdf

Issues to be considered include the usual:
simplify processes, improve communications,
community engagement, local democracy,
encourage, promote, investigate, ...

And so it goes on with a final report being sent to the Minister in December 2017.
This is presumably with a view to achieving the CAPS vision:
"10% of everyday journeys to be made by bike, by 2020".

The greatest barrier to achieving this target is extreme and chronic lack of funding.
It should be noted that this was the vision in 2010 and has been continually repeated since then.
As we approach the 2020 deadline, it makes no sense to take a year to discuss the way ahead.

But Transport Scotland needs your input so act now and send in your written evidence on
"the barriers to delivery of ambitious, inclusive walking and cycling projects in Scotland".


Please do not submit your evidence here
but your comments are welcome.