People’s priority for more cycle routes ignored in the Scottish budget

The Scottish government has cut the budget for cycling, walking and wheeling. Use our simple e-action to write to your MSP and urge them to oppose the cuts and demand the government changes course.

Ahead of the budget announcement this week it was reported that the Scottish Government pledged that this budget would ‘deliver on people’s priorities’, including improving our NHS and tackling the climate emergency.

A high proportion of people in Scotland (79% in 2023) regularly express that they want more cycle lanes, traffic-free routes and cycle paths so they can benefit from cycling – but has government been listening? It would seem not, as sadly, its draft budget document includes a 15% cut to support for initiatives which benefit people who want to cycle.

Stalled progress

Over recent years we have been overjoyed to see Scotland’s active travel budget on an upward trajectory, with record amounts committed for projects which enable people to cycle, walk and wheel safely.

Since the 2017-18 budget when £40m was allocated there has been steady growth up to the £220m allocated this time last year. Our work has contributed to this through lobbying politicians, working with partners, and making a strong case for investment.

It feels like a kick in the spokes to see the Scottish Government backpedalling this year. This week’s budget saw £189m allocated in the draft budget’s active travel budget lines – a £31m cut from the level promised last year.

The cut is bigger than the £23.9m in-year cut made by the finance secretary in September. It means that the money allocated for active travel has remained at approximately the same level for the past three years. This is despite recent statistics showing that as a nation physical inactivity and climate emissions from transport are rising.

Responding to the news, my colleague Scott Runciman, Cycling UK’s Scotland advocacy lead, said: “It’s hugely disappointing to see the Scottish Government slashing funding for cycling and walking at a time when they should be increasing investment. Over £30m in cuts takes Scotland even further away from meeting the £320m target promised at the beginning of this Parliament.

“Investment in walking and cycling is not just good for the planet, it’s essential to fixing the crisis facing our NHS. With over a third of Scots doing little or no physical activity each week, we need ways to get people active again in their day-to-day lives.

“This short-sighted decision is more damaging than the cuts we saw in September’s mid-year budget and shows this government has abandoned its promise to the people of Scotland.

“If we’re serious about making cycling and walking a realistic option for getting around, the government needs to urgently reverse these cuts and restate its commitment to meeting its original target as soon as possible.”

Help us reverse the cuts

It’s now vital that we step up the pressure on Scottish ministers so that government gets back on track with annual increases in funding.

In the run up to the next Scottish Parliamentary elections in May 2026 we need all political parties to recommit to spending 10% of the transport budget on active travel – as many of them did ahead of the 2021 election.

We want to see this government and the next consistently spending at this level, which based on this week’s announcement would be £400m per year. This level of funding was identified, earlier this year by the IPPR, as the level needed to transform our streets for cycling and walking, and make cycling commonplace.

But we need your help to reverse the current cut. Use our simple online e-action today to email your MSPS to urge them to oppose the cuts and demand the government keeps its promises.

With your help we can get government ministers to change their minds and boost the final budget before it is voted on by MSPs in the new year.