Dunfermline’s first Walking and Cycling Index

As a new city, Dunfermline welcomes its first Walking and Cycling Index.

Earlier today (Tuesday, 26 March) at the Glen Pavilion, Fife Council and Sustrans hosted the launch of Dunfermline's Walking and Cycling Index, with Councillors and local organisations attending.

The Index is the UK’s biggest assessment of walking, wheeling and cycling in cities and urban areas. It reports every two years on public travel habits and attitudes as well as outlining infrastructure developments and the impact of walking, wheeling and cycling.

Karen McGregor, Director, of Sustrans Scotland, said: “I’d like to thank the people of Dunfermline who gave us their time to take part in the city’s first Walking and Cycling Index. The Index results show that making walking, wheeling and cycling the most accessible and desirable form of transport is of great importance to people, especially during the current cost of living crisis.

“There is clear evidence that residents of Scotland’s newest city want the option to walk, wheel and cycle to where they need to get to more often and to have generous pavements that are well-maintained and clear of parked cars; they want safe, accessible cycle paths and pedestrian crossings; and they want more investment in public transport.

“By assessing walking, wheeling and cycling in the city for the first time, we can see that Fife Council has the backing of the public to build on the work it has already started to make it easier for people to use active travel to get around.”

A total of 1,338 people in the City of Dunfermline area took part in the latest survey carried out by Sustrans. The report says:

• Walking and cycling in Dunfermline is estimated to save 1,900 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year by taking up to 13,000 cars off the road everyday, whilst preventing 143 serious long-term health conditions.
• 75% of residents feel that their local area is a good place to walk and wheel.
• 53% of residents want to walk or wheel more, 45% want to cycle more and 26% want to drive less.
• 67% of respondents said they would get on their bikes more often if there were more traffic-free cycle routes away from roads.

Cllr James Calder, City of Dunfermline area convenor added: “I’m delighted Dunfermline has its first Walking and Cycling Index. As a new city, we’re excited to see where this report takes us in the development of active travel. Embracing active travel not only benefits our physical and mental health, but it also plays a crucial role in how we respond to the climate crisis.

“We need to make walking, wheeling and cycling the most sensible choice for everyday journeys but we know that many people face barriers to being able to make this choice. Improvements to infrastructure will expand the availability of safe and accessible active travel routes and make Dunfermline a welcoming city for walking, wheeling and cycling.”

The Walking and Cycling Index is supported by funding from Transport Scotland.

Read the Walking and Cycling Index report for Dunfermline here: Dunfermline Walking and Cycling Index - Sustrans.org.uk