A Perthshire cycle path project designed to encourage people to take to two wheels has been given a ministerial seal of approval.
Cabinet Secretary for environment, climate change and land reform, Roseanna Cunningham, swapped the car for an e-bike as she saw how a Sustrans Scotland Community Links funded programme in Muthill is coming along.
More than £47,000 has been awarded towards the Muthill to Crieff cycle path with a further £25,000 in the pipeline for the construction of a bridge, detailed design and way marking.
Once completed, the path will connect with the proposed national cycle network route between Lochearnhead and Crieff, creating an important rural active travel network.
The hope is that the availability of a safe cycle path to Muthill residents will help to reduce the significant number of short car journeys which occur between Muthill and Crieff every day.
“I’m a regular public transport user and a keen walker but, like many people, it has been a few years since I was last on a bike,” said Ms Cunningham.
“Our support for projects like the Muthill to Crieff route is intended to encourage more of us to cycle or walk instead of relying on the car for journeys of only a few miles.
“The benefits which active travel provides, for our environment and our health, are clear and that’s why the Scottish Government’s investment in walking and cycling is at record levels.
“We want to see the number of everyday and leisure journeys made by bike or on foot continue to increase.
“Improved infrastructure for walkers and cyclists is key to making active travel attractive for everyone and I look forward to learning more about how electric bikes are also helping to make cycling more attractive and accessible than ever.”
The minister also met with Perth and Kinross cycle group ByCycle on Tuesday.
Sustrans Scotland national director John Lauder said: “Roseanna is not a stranger to the path, having opened the first phase of the route in 2016. However, this is a fantastic opportunity for her to learn more about cycling in the area from local groups.
“The Muthill to Crieff path would not have been possible without the work of Muthill Village Trust who have been tireless champions of the route.”
