In 2020 Pedal on Parliament went online due to the coronavirus pandemic. From all around Scotland our supporters asked the Scottish government to make it easier for local authorities to temporarily reclaim road space for pedestrians and cyclists in what we called ‘Space for Distancing’.
Using graphic overlays to show how a fast roll out of Spaces for Distancing could be put in, and with ideas of where they can be put in, the internet was flooded with support for protected cycle lanes, traffic calmed neighbourhoods and wider pavements.
Within a matter of weeks, Scottish Parliament announced a £10 million ‘Spaces for People’ fund for local authorities to use to swiftly implement pop-up emergency temporary cycling and walking infrastructure.
Over the course of the year this fund was increased three-fold, and fully allocated across Scotland. Unfortunately not every council applied to use it, but we have seen a significant increase in dedicated and protected spaces for walking cycling and wheeling as a result of Spaces for People.