News on Battlefield Map (Streets for All)

Last week, we visited Shawlands Academy in Glasgow and talked to a group of Young Ambassadors about their views on walking and cycling. It’s important for us to understand how young people feel about active travel and what their needs and barriers are when working on walking and cycling initiatives.

During the session, we asked the students how they travel to school and if they feel safe on their way to school.

The majority of participants walk to school with two participants getting a lift from a parent or taking the bus. Cycling to school wasn’t popular among the group. However, half of the participants said they cycle for other activities such as leisure or training, and understood the benefits of cycling and walking.

‘I don’t cycle to school, but when I go for training, it’s easier and I am not dependent on my parents’

The students feel safe on their way to school and listed a number of reasons why; there are lots of people on the way, don’t see any threats, there is a controlled crossing, and there is a lollipop person near the school.

One of the students mentioned: ‘ It depends on the area, you need to be careful when walking. I wouldn’t find it so safe when walking in the darkness on my own.’

Next, we discussed various modes of travel in Glasgow and how the students felt about them. The group was very positive about active travel, they appreciated the benefits of cycling and walking and highlighted the need for dedicated cycling infrastructure. They shared what active travel means for them, and what barriers they see to cycling:

‘People don’t like it when young people cycle on pavements they stop us from cycling.‘

One of the students was proud to tell us about a cycling trip he did to the Scottish Borders with his friend following the National Cycling Network, ‘It was a great challenge and as we followed the NCN we knew where to go’

Being judged by peers has been recognised as a significant barrier to cycling for young people. They indicated that to feel comfortable to cycle, everybody would have to cycle, so it feels like the social norm.

‘Promotion and cycling of training must be done in a way that is fun.’

‘People should understand the benefits of cycling and walking.’

Participants also mentioned that it’s important to work with young children and encourage them to cycle from an early age, so they can continue their behaviour across different schools. Involving their parents in this is also very important.

We enjoyed the session with the young people and their feedback will contribute to our ideas and initiatives to encourage cycling and walking in the Battlefield area.

Join us next Monday 28th for a walking audit of the project area. Meet us at 11am in the foyer of the New Victoria Hospital and take a walk (approx 1 hour) around Battlefield finishing with a hot drink at Finn's Place.

The next public session for the Battlefield Street Design project will be held Tuesday 19 March at Langside Library in Battlefield. This is stage 3 of the project and it will be an opportunity for you to feedback on a collection of designs for the area.

Keep the date in your diary and sign up to this blog post to receive further details. For any questions about the project or this blog please contact Emily, Community Engagement Officer, emily.gait@sustrans.org.uk