Last week four of us from Aberdeen Cycle Forum attended the annual Cycling Scotland conference, which was taking place in Dundee. It feels to many of us that Aberdeen is falling behind other cities in providing safe, attractive cycle infrastructure that really encourages more people to cycle as part of their everyday lives. Why is that? Why are Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow pushing ahead, not just delivering schemes now but showing hugely ambitious plans for the future? We hoped to learn some answers. Here’s what we thought:
Alistair:
We heard a wide range of views on cycling infrastructure from “build it and they will come” to the challenge of balancing budgets at national and local level – and that was just the keynote speech from the Transport minister. It’s obviously a subject that should be getting the right level of attention with a vision in mind, not just be an afterthought. I was impressed to see what has been done in Dundee – surely a compatible city with Aberdeen that we could learn from?
The breakout sessions were worthwhile – I joined a discussion on how to share the value delivered by cycling projects with funders and one with a police inspector on improving road safety for cyclists.
Katy:
The title of the conference said it all “Investment in Everyday Cycling Delivers Results”. Quality insights and examples of leadership from the keynote speakers: powerful storytelling from Brian Deegan on freedom, Glenn Lyons on vision, Jillian Evans on health and Rebecca Morris on safety. Plenty of inspiration too from the break-out sessions on skills training and infrastructure: wouldn’t it be fantastic to see Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire officers and Councillors up there too next year boasting of their amazing accomplishments and bold plans! Heartening also to meet delegates from other cycle forums in Dundee, Edinburgh and Midlothian who share ACF’s determination to keep advocating for active travel even in the face of funding challenges.
Deema:
The room was full, and the speakers were engaging and insightful throughout. One point that stood out for me came from Glenn Lyons [Professor of Future Mobility, University of West England], who challenged the old assumption that traffic growth inevitably follows economic growth. Looking at the past 10 years in England :
People are travelling less overall (average trips per person down 14%, distance down 20%)
Yet the economy grew 35% and emissions from domestic transport fell 19%
Some trips are declining (commuting, business, shopping), while leisure and social trips are increasing.
This means we can no longer rely on “more roads” as the answer. Future traffic models need to reflect changing behaviours, the rise of digital substitution, and the shift in why people travel.
It’s a reminder that mobility planning must evolve — not just to reduce congestion, but to support healthier, more sustainable travel choices.
Gavin:
It was great to be in a room of like-minded people and to listen to some inspirational speakers from around the country. At the same time it made me realise just how far behind Aberdeen is falling. Other Councils seem to be delivering faster and have so much more ambition than we see in Aberdeen. It’s really hard to understand why that is but today we got some clues. Several speakers referenced key prerequisites – political courage – technical expertise – and funding, but in reality I think they are all linked: if you have the first one, the others will follow.
Aberdeen Cycle Forum 