Contest To Encourage More Cycle Paths

The Scottish Government's announced substantial funding for councils to build more cycle routes.

Local authorities are being encouraged to submit proposals for on-road, segregated bike lanes, with successful schemes being announced next year. There are currently over 350 miles of signposted cycle routes in Fife.

Holyrood targets are for 10% of all journeys in Scotland to be taken by bike by the year 2020.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging healthier and greener travel and we are investing more than £1 billion per annum to encourage people out of their cars.

"This financial year we have increased investment in active travel to £39.2 million, up from £22.95 million in 2013/14 at a time when our overall capital budget has decreased by 26%. Over and above this, behaviour change programmes, through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme are encouraging uptake of both sustainable and active travel.

"We know more can be done to keep up this momentum and that is why I am delighted to announce a new competition as part of the Community Links programme – taking cycling infrastructure in our towns and cities to the next level.

"This competition aims to deliver high profile, continental style infrastructure which will improve safety while also encouraging less confident cyclists to make day-to-day journeys by bike."