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SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL TRANSPORT STRATEGY CONSULTATION
As part of the process in setting up the new transport structure in Scotland, which consists of Transport Scotland, Regional Transport Partnerships, Local Authorities and other public sector bodies and committees, a National Transport Strategy for Scotland is being drafted to provide guidance and direction for Transport Planning and investment in Scotland for the next 20 years.
The Scottish Executive having taken representations from interested parties on all aspects of Transport, including MAG and the BMF on motorcycling issues, are now consulting with members of the general public to gauge their opinions on the future of Transport in Scotland.
This is an opportunity for individual motorcyclists to air their views and ensure that motorcycling's contribution to the Transport mix is not overlooked in the next 20 years.
This consultation "Scotland’s National Transport Strategy a Consultation" is available in full in booklet form under reference ISBN 0-7559-4622-7 from Blackwell's Bookshop 53 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS, Telephone 0131 662 8283 or 0131 662 8258, Fax 0131 557 8149 or e-mail business.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk
The booklet is also available on the Scottish Executive website at
www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/current
in pdf format at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/04/20084756/0
The consultation runs until Thursday 13th July 2006 and responses are invited to: transport@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
OR, in writing to:
Pamela Gidney, Transport Strategy Division, Transport Strategy and Policy Team, 2D (Dockside), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.
While appreciating that the Strategy is aimed at covering all aspects of Transport and as such will only provide an overview of aims and goals, the consultation booklet only refers to motorcycling in relation to safety, and tourism in passing.
Specifically the contribution that motorcycling can make towards encouraging modal shift, reduced land use, combating emissions, reducing congestion and helping reduce social exclusion where public transport is lacking, is not covered.
In addition to the overall Strategy we believe that clear guidance needs to be provided to planners and decision makers so they can put in place the measures necessary to promote and encourage motorcycling as part of the transport mix.
We believe that such guidance is not only necessary to inform those who are not fully aware of the issues affecting motorcyclists, but vital if our safety and security needs are to be improved.
A draft Scottish Motorcycling Strategy has been prepared and submitted to the Scottish Executive to cover this requirement, but riders need to ensure that this requirement is not overlooked.
Provision for sub strategies to cover Freight and Rail requirements has been made, motorcycling needs similar recognition.
This draft Scottish Motorcycling Strategy details the points and measures necessary to take account of our needs and is available to help guide responses to the consultation.
Where appropriate measures have been taken, such as within Greater London, motorcycle accident casualties have reduced in real terms by almost 40%, despite increased use of around 25%.
While some of this is undoubtedly as a result of fewer cars within the congestion charging zone, a significant factor is the increased awareness among other road users of the likelihood of encountering motorcycles.
More regular usage of motorcycles can also help improve and maintain individuals’ skills, but this will only happen if the appropriate incentives are made.
Measures aimed at increasing Motorcycling as well as helping meet other transport and environmental goals can as a consequence also help reduce our vulnerability to accidents. If this is to be achieved then it is very important that as many motorcyclists as possible take the hour or two necessary to participate in the consultation and put our views across, if we are not to be marginalised for the next twenty years.
Successive failure to adequately include motorcycling in transport plans and objectives for over 30 years has been a major contributing factor in many of the problems we now face.
Now is the time to reverse these failures and help secure both our future as motorcyclists and that of the next generation of riders.
I would urge you all to safeguard our future by taking part in the consultation and persuade other motorcyclists and scooterists as well. I cannot stress how important this is to us all if we are to continue to be able to enjoy the freedom that motorcycling can provide.
Best Regards
Steve Wykes
Regional Representative MAG Scotland
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