Reposted by Niall Anderson
Today is #HobbitDay because Bilbo and Frodo Baggins were both born on September 22nd.
Normally we'd shire a hobbit pun or two but it might just feel like a tolkien gesture and we don't want to embarrass our elves.
Anyway it's a good day to come and boromir #Tolkien books. 📚
![Table comparing AT investment promises in 2021 and 2026 manifestos. Sorry, tables don't come out well in ALT text!
Key to tables below++Very good and/or best+good=mixed, unclear, or less good than other parties-poor (or unrealistic)
- -very disappointing
NNot in manifesto [N is generally disappointing, but depends on the issue, so think!]
Page numbers shown are to pages of each party’s 2026 manifesto
2026 v 2021 comparison of AT Investment manifesto commitments
Sadly and shockingly, in view of the climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, and the need for healthier lifestyles to help the NHS crisis the 2026 manifestos mark a massive deterioration in active travel policies as compared to the 2021 election – or even 2016. Only the Greens, and to a lesser extent the Lib Dems, retain positive approaches.
Whilst this applies to many policies and promises, the astonishing contrast is seen clearly in this comparative table on the top issue, active travel investment
AT Investment
Conservative
Green
Labour
LibDem
Reform
SNP
2021 manifestos
[AT funding then was approx £116m, roughly 3.5% of total transport]
+
10% by 2026
++
£320m immediately [approx 10%] rising further
+
10% [unclear if soon or by 2026]
=
“aim” to double existing
[this would be approx 7%]
N/A
=
10% of “capital” bgt by 2026 [BUT this is less of the total transport bgt]
2026 manifestos
[AT funding is now approx £163m, roughly 3.9% of total transport]
- - p35; p75
cut the AT budget; end ring-fenced cash to councils
++ p26
at least 10%; multi-year funding
N
= p66
“Invest in active travel for the first and last mile”
- - p11
End ring-fenced cash to councils
= p64
£2.5m for bike repair; new fund for outdoor recreation paths](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ood4k4wojq5jku2zl3myqco/bafkreibjehlqigqutbozlwiaphxrnvj32bcfcl3dbqbntksgl3jay2ptxi)
![Table of party manifesto comparisons (page 1)
2026 manifesto overall comparisons
Note that the manifestos include more transport policies/promises than are shown here, particularly on walk, bus and rail.
We hope this table includes most of the items directly relevant to cycling, as well as some relevant wider transport issues.
Also, note that if something is not in a manifesto, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen, though it is less likely to.
Issue Conservative Green Labour LibDem Reform SNP
AT Investment
[from above table]
- - ++ N = - - =
Extent of cycle/AT
routes/networks
ambition
- - p36
“End the
obsession with
cycle lanes”
Cycle lanes only
ok if not using
road or
pavement space
++ p26
“national blueprint
of walking, cycle
and wheeling
networks“; faster
Council AT project
delivery
N + p66
“Investing in
active travel for
the first and last
mile”
= p23
Rural Scotland:
“support
outdoor
recreation ...
cycling … with
accessible
paths”
= p64
outdoor
recreation
paths fund; no
Roseburn
tram; support
Powderhall AT
path [see note
3 below]
Is AT recognised
and supported as a
public health
measure
- p57
Only considers
leisure centres
& sport
+ p163
“space to walk, run,
play, wheel and
cycle is a right not a
privilege”
N ++ p33 & p61
“Supporting
wellbeing by
making it easier
for people to use
active travel”
N N
Neighbourhoods /
Car-free lifestyles
N + p118
“Support local living
and 20-minute nbd
approaches”
N + p52
New towns
“prioritising
features such as
rail links.. and
20-minute nbds”
N N
Disincentivise car
use/
Demand
management
- - p35
“End the war on
drivers”;
No targets; stop
any Workplace
Parking levies or
congestion
charging
++ p22
Seek road-user
taxation powers for
Scotland
++ p33
Levy on out-oftown
retail, to
support towns
+ p89
Business
rates
replaced by a
new levy
favouring
town centre
retail &
hospitality
= p73
“Moving all
forms of
transport away
from fossil fuels”
– But carrotsonly
approach
- - p21
“End the war
on the car“
N
20mph - p36
20mph only ok
where locals…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ood4k4wojq5jku2zl3myqco/bafkreic7sh5vtotgvkucrlfeiypqwuhkksdqosgnwxox657f4jwgfdluwy)
![Table of party manifestos (page 2)
Potholes - - p33
Fund pothole
filling by cutting
(scrapping?) the
AT budget
N + (or - -) p49
£350m fund
[see note 1
below]
+ p64
“fair funding” for
councils; use of
new technology
+ p21
“Fix potholes”
+ p72
“up to £350m”
for potholes &
resurfacing
Air pollution
including Low
Emission Zones
- - p36
Halt more LEZs
and reduce
fines in existing
++ p118
expand LEZs, plus
stronger monitoring
N - - p21
Abolish LEZs
N
Transport
integration, with
respect to active
travel
= p38
Rail, bus & tram
integration; no
mention of
walk/ bike
+ p22, p26
Better AT links to
public transport; All
new rail, bus, tram
to carry bikes
N N N N
Road building - - p34
New law to fasttrack
trunk road
upgrades; dual
A9 by 2031;
many other
trunk projects
+ p22
Future-proof roads
like A83 vulnerable
to climate change;
no mention of
expansion
- - p49
Dual A9 by
2035, look
into dualling
A77 and A75,
& create
National
Roads Plan
- - p64
Dual A9 & A96;
- - p21
“plan to
upgrade major
trunk roads”
[see note 2
below]
- - p71
Dual A9 by
2035, also
parts of A96;
and consider
A75, A77
Air travel taxation
ADT= Air departure
tax
- - p39
oppose any new
taxes; reduce
long-haul tax
++ p34
frequent flyer levy;
private jet tax;
more..
N + p66
Higher tax for
private jet
passengers
N + p27
private jet tax;
including for
‘ghost’ flights
USP – unique
selling points (good
and bad!) picked
out by Spokes
- - p33
1. AT schemes
are “ideological
projects”
2. ban bikes in
all pedestrian
areas
+ p16, p156
Universal rail card;
£2 max bus fares
+ p122
Council powers to
enforce traffic
contraventions
+ p55
“Crush illegal
e-bikes,
using drones
to track &
trace
unlicensed
bikes”
+ p64
”Dangerous
Roads
Programme“
- - p21
“End the war
on the car“
+ p38
£2 bus fare
cap
[1] Labour £350m pothole fund. The manifesto does not say where the money would come from. In early campaign speeches
Anas Sarwar had said it would be from cutting Active Travel funding. On our estimate this would mean a 40% cut on curre…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ood4k4wojq5jku2zl3myqco/bafkreihtx3yx2su5oubnssv3v75xk6lov5cp57qt2pftf5o4wn2u7hf5qe)
![Front page of the new spokes bulletin, with pictures of a new Leith Cycleroute opening, and of a primary school cyclist and an 89-year-old daily cyclist...
BIKE LANES WORKING
Edinburgh’s protected bike lanes on Leith Walk and on Roseburn CCWEL route now account for almost 10% of vehicle and pedestrian journeys on both, based on Cycling Scotland survey data in late 2025.
What’s more, despite its tramlines, Leith Walk has had zero bike tramline crashes, whilst serious injuries continue in the badly designed initial tram route.
LESSONS LEARNED – AND TO BE LEARNED
The protected bike lane success affirms the Council’s decision [p8] that its Primary Cycle Network should largely comprise segregated lanes on main roads.
But - gaps need filled! What would bike usage be on the above routes if the missing George St link between them existed? – we suggest [p9] how to do this quickly if the planned complete revamp is currently too costly.
The absence of tramline injuries affirms the Council’s wisdom in providing segregated lanes on Leith Walk.
But - potentially dangerous sections of the Granton/ Bioquarter future tramline proposals [p9] concern us.
FOOT OF WALK to DOCK STREET
The traffic-free Foot of Walk - Dock Street route, largely comprising bidirectional segregated onroad bike lanes, extends CCWEL and Leith Walk lanes north, with a planned continuation to Ocean Terminal. Importantly, for many trips this is an alternative to tramlined roads.
A cut that we support!! Transport Convener Cllr Stephen Jenkinson opens the section at Sandport Bridge over the Water of Leith. Also pictured, Cllrs Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill (in wheelchair) and Chas Booth (behind Kayleigh). Photo: DdF
CYCLING
Cyclist Edith has a quick word before she heads off:
“Hi – I love cycling, it’s really fun!
What would be really good would be to have more space to explore the roads, see where they go, have fun, and not have cars hovering around! Bye!”
THROUGH THE AGES
89-year-old Michael Owen says:
“I use my …](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ood4k4wojq5jku2zl3myqco/bafkreicqlltg3ndgdxnozecqwlfquuivbsypejcinnw4q5lalcn4c73v5e)
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu)
![Start of spokes submission, with top takeway issues...
Scotland’s Draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) 2026-2040 – consultation
Response from Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign January 2026
Please note:
a. Our response concentrates on transport issues, primarily traffic reduction and active travel
b. The consultation’s three transport questions don’t adequately cover our concerns, hence this submission.
However, we do respond to the questions, in section 9 below, largely by reference to this main submission
c. Spokes is a member of SCCS coalition and we endorse their submission, particularly the transport section
0. Top Takeaways [references are to sections below]
[3] Demand management (notably road-user charging) is essential to car-km reduction. The
Scottish Government should act urgently on its own commissioned research recommendations
[2] The draft new ‘traffic reduction’ target is incredibly weak. It should be toughened and, if not,
the government should be honest that its new target is to limit traffic growth, not to reduce traffic
[4.1] The promise of multi-year funding for active travel projects should be implemented rapidly
[4.2] Disguising of active travel funding by combining it with bus infrastructure money should end
[4.3] 10% of the transport budget should be invested in active travel infrastructure and promotion
[6] The move to zero-emission vehicles should include strong support for cargo bikes, particularly
for last-mile urban deliveries and reducing motor van transport, but also for family transport](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ood4k4wojq5jku2zl3myqco/bafkreifg2zhg7d2c74tvyklxi7p2tekso6wsyndcii6g53igeawp4n33m4)
![Comic. [Two people one one side of a pile of seven apples, next to person with long hair next to five apples.] PERSON: Okay, with my seven apples added to your five, we have… let’s se… twelve apples! PERSON 2 [with hands raised]: Incredible! Perfect agreement with the theory! [caption] Experimental Mathematicians](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreifgv5skm72kzcxgexs4hbpex45met5vxhb6kf2aqshmktmo37nl5a)
