Welcome & Introductions
Gavin Clark (GC (Chair), Rachel Martin (RM), Fiona McDonald (FM), Deema Aburizik (DA), Alastair Cassels (AC), Michelle Shortt (MS), Linda Moreno (LM), Daniel Verhamme (DV), Francesco Sani (FS)* *joined late
Talk from Laurie Robertson – Senior Project Officer with Sustrans (embedded within Aberdeen City Council (ACC))
Embedded officers are unique to Sustrans Scotland, funded by Scottish Government
Primary aim is to support partners to develop and deliver their active travel (walking, wheeling & cycling) priorities – with as high a quality as possible.
Successful initiative over last 10 yrs but funding will run out at the end of this year although some hope the work may continue.
Laurie explained that she helps to guide active travel strategies by,
- Facilitating a strategic approach
- Developing strategies plans and projects
- Adding capacity for ACC projects (most visible element)
- Developing funding opportunities
- Building connections to understand needs and building relationships between stakeholders & across Council departments
- Sharing knowledge and expertise
She started at ACC 8 months ago.
Example of work so far have included refreshing safer routes to Cults primary and Brimmond schools with coloured foot prints for walking routes. At Brimmond the junior road safety officers got feedback on problems and came up with potential solutions. LR met with parent council who had requested that the painted cycle track in the playground be re-done, so she found funding to do this. The cycle track has now been re-located to the early year part of the school so they can use it during breaktime.
School streets pilot – expression of interest awaited – all schools have been invited including primary/secondary and independents. Aims to temporarily restrict access to cars on roads around the school gate. None yet in Aberdeen but there has been a successful trial in Fraserburgh. https://aberdeenshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s23230/Appendix+2+Fraserburgh+South+Park+Peak+Time+Road+Closure+Trial+Final+report.pdf
Second active travel survey
LR would also like to roll out the safer routes to school more widely
Cycle focused work
Is working with a team to bring a new electric bike hire scheme to Aberdeen – at early stages of drawing up documents for procurement. Age exclusions, disability exclusions, purpose exclusions have been discussed. Keen to hear of any schemes in the UK that provide a wider range of bikes.
Looking at cycle counters (installed by Cycling Scotland) – all transport types – in the main corridors: Wellington Rd, King St, Skene Rd (Westhill), Auchmill Rd. Hope that this can help to influence decisions – each corridor has a distinct characteristics eg heavy goods vehicles on Auchmill Rd.
Working with bigger team on local transport strategy and working on next walking and cycling index – collecting data currently. Currently collecting info for case studies and looking for good locations for photos. Publication due early 2026. Previous index published in 2023 https://www.sustrans.org.uk/media/13313/walking-and-cycling-index-2023-aberdeen.pdf
Previously identified secure cycle storage as a need – led to provision of more cycle storage for high density areas
GC thanked Laurie for her talk.
AGM Business
Reports from outgoing officers 2024-25
GC (Chair)
- Best in Cycling Awards evening held in Sep 2024 which highlighted some great projects going on in and around Aberdeen, for example, Cycling without Age, Critical Mass and the Ellon Wheel Park expanding access to cycling in Ellon.
- Seven formal consultation responses to council and national level.
- Replacement of membership system using Awards Force platform – 330 members re-joined (more than half of previous number)
- Second successful art project on Deeside Way organised by Rachel.
- “No Engine idling” banner at Bridge of Don primary and going to Kingswells. GC has also shared the banner design with Dundee Cycle Forum.
- Engagement with ACC is better than it has been in the past, some improvements are being delivered as a result although the rate of delivery of cycle infrastructure by ACC is very slow which is disappointing.
- No real widespread support for traffic management in the city centre, wider population not in favour of reducing motor traffic and cycling improvements.
- A944 corridor – 4 years of development work by consultants did not get passed by Council at first committee meeting. Scheme will not go down Queen St but likely to go down Langstracht instead. However, likely no room for high-quality cycling infrastructure due to planned rapid bus transit scheme (ART) on same route
- National government level – active travel budget has been cut – in real terms and percentage therefore there is a continued need for local cycle advocacy groups.
GC finished by thanking the members who regularly contribute to ACF business and by welcoming ideas and contributions from new members.
AC added his thanks to the officer bearers and stated he thinks there are more people that support improving cycling in Aberdeen than the vocal minority that speak against these changes.
Appointment of officers for 2025-26
GC but happy to continue as Chair, but also willing to step aside if there is anyone else willing to take on the role.
Gavin Clark (Chair), Rachel Martin (Communications and Campaigns Secretary), Clare Roberts (Treasurer) and Fiona McDonald (Secretary) were re-elected, unopposed.
GC read the Financial Statement from Treasurer – figures added at foot
Regular monthly meeting business
- Aberdeen City Council liaison and consultations – 16th May – have received update on rolling action list items
- Ashgrove connects project – consultation still open
- Aberdeen South Harbour link road – already commented on twice – disappointing to see in latest stage of designs, they have still proposed bus stop design that does not follow Cycle by Design standards or included angled kerb between cycle track and pavement.
- Traffic measures – pavement parking exemptions – draft response circulated to regulars. Agreed it was appropriate for ACF to comment as we campaign on active travel; allocation of road space is an issue for all (loss of on-street parking was biggest issue that led to objections about the Westhill – Queens Rd route)
Francesco joined meeting
- Fiona, Francesco & GC met with 2 members of the Tall Ships events team to discuss transport planning to the event. Cycle parking will be provided outside the council offices in Queen St. Railway Station, College St car park and Union Sq will be other options. No cycle parking in event footprint ie harbour, Market St, Union St, Castlegate. Plan to devise quiet routes to help people get to the City Centre. GC has received map of road closures and will pass on to FS and FmcD
- Events and activities
- Litter pick – Rachel planning to organise over summer
- Any other business
- AC asked if ACF have received any info on new road works outside Dobbies. This location is part of his daily commute, one lane closed off, looks like a new housing development. Will mean another junction to navigate without any additional cycling infrastructure. GC stated it was probably covered in the development proposals.
- Updating map of cycling around Aberdeen. Is on ACF action list with the Council but not progressing much. Most recent update suggested the development of the map was being tied in with the regional active travel network (NESTRANs). Wasn’t on the agenda of the last NESTRANs meeting – delayed until next meeting. Live GPS map that was being developed is being done around other high priority work. Could use Strava Metro data to support development.
- Community Project Grant Funding available, up to £10k for sustainable transport projects
- Deema offered to help look at technical consultations – currently looking at the transport paper as part of the Local Development Plan consultation.
- Date of next meeting (provisionally 27th May)
Accounts
ACF. Annual accounts. 1/4/24 – 31/3/25
Opening bank balance £ 1,233.36
Income:
12/24 Sustrans deeside artwork 3,460.00
1/25 Members donations 92.65
3,552.65
Expenditure:
07/24. Web hosting 43.20
10/24. Crown st methodist hall hire 75.00
12/24. Deeside artwork 3,460.00
2/25. Insurance 289.69
(3,867.89)
Closing bank balance £ 918.12
Aberdeen Cycle Forum 