Highland cycling rates some of the highest in Scotland, says Cycling Scotland report

•  Issued by Cycling Scotland

Cycling Scotland’s Annual Cycling Monitoring Report published today (16 February), has found that the Highlands has one of the highest cycling rates in Scotland, with the percentage of those choosing cycling as their main mode of transport reaching 3.1% in 2014

The report, which examines a range of data and statistics from both a national and local point of view, found that all top three wards for cycling to work in the Highland area were in Inverness with Inverness Ness-side at 6.24%, Inverness Central at 5.93% and Inverness Millburn at 5.43%. The percentage of children stating that they cycle to school is an impressive 10.5%, against a national average of 5%. 

Luke Phillips, Cycling Scotland monitoring and development officer said, “Cycling Scotland’s Annual Cycling Monitoring Report provides a robust set of data that allows us to create a picture of Scotland’s cycling habits over time.

“The Highland Council has made great strides in encouraging more people to cycle and has great potential to go further with sustained investment in infrastructure, cycle training and other initiatives to encourage and enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy cycling.”

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson said, “These statistics confirm the very successful outcome from ongoing investment, infrastructure and provision of equipment. The work of all those involved with School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to Schools has resulted in a fantastic payoff with 10.5% of children saying they cycle to school. The Cycling Scotland data has strengthened everyone’s resolve to work in partnership towards the vision of 10% of all journeys by bike by 2020.  The Council is currently working on the final submission for the Community Links Plus programme and this data gives us a great boost for our aspirational project.”

Other areas reporting high levels of cycling as a main mode of transport include Dundee City (4.2%) Edinburgh City (4.2%), Orkney Islands (3.4%) and South Ayrshire (2.2%).

Nationally, cycling as a main mode of travel in Scotland was estimated at 1.4% in 2014 while the volume of traffic was 339 million vehicle kilometres travelled, a 46% increase since 2004. In addition, 11% of adults participated in cycling in the previous month.

Produced by Cycling Scotland, the Annual Cycling Monitoring Report provides insight into national and local cycling trends and statistics across Scotland. The report presents a national picture covering topics including levels of cycling - particularly cycling to work or study - cycle training, perceptions of cycling, road safety and delivery of cycling projects related to the Scottish Government’s Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013. Download the Annual Cycling Monitoring Report at www.cyclingscotland.org/policy/monitoring.