Cycling and walking will command at least a 5% share of Dundee’s annual spending on roads and transportation, the city council has pledged.
The financial commitment has been made as part of the proposed new cycling strategy developed for Dundee.
It has been hailed as “an encouraging step forward” by cyclists who contributed to a wide-ranging consultation.
The council hopes the step will make Dundee even more cycle friendly and increase the attractiveness of cycling and walking as regular forms of travel.
Another key development will be the hiring of a cycle czar to guide the strategy’s delivery in the years to come.
City development depute convener, Bill Campbell, said: “This document comes as the culmination of a considerable amount of consultation, discussion and engagement with cyclists across the city.
“The strategy recognises the importance that the council places on cycling as a regular form of travel and exercise for many people and looks to ensure that is developed in future years.”
The new draft strategy has been shaped by six weeks of consultation with key decision makers and the city’s cyclists.
They were offered a first glimpse of the council’s blueprint in October, with feedback from both individuals and organisations said to have been “largely positive”.
A number of small but important tweaks were subsequently made to the draft and are now included in the revised strategy.
The new permanent post of cycling development officer will be created to help achieve the targets in the strategy.
It will initially be part funded from external sources, including Cycling Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Smarter Choices Smarter Places Fund.
While the council progresses its strategy, cyclist across the city are taking their own steps to improve access to the city for those on two wheels or two feet.
This weekend, Abertay University’s students association will stage one of a global network of Cycle Hack events in an effort to remove barriers to cycling.
They will discuss possible projects and how to meet challenges that may dissuade people from using their bikes.
The project seeks to build on the success of Dundee’s re-invigoration of its infrastructure, including the improvement of the green circular route, which provides a 27-mile pathway for cyclists and pedestrians.
