Ministers have announced £10m for “pop up” walking and cycling routes to aid social distancing.
The Scottish Government package will fund changes such as wider pavements as well as create new spaces if needed.
With car use plummeting and public transport journeys falling, road space around the world is increasingly being used for walking and cycling for essential trips.
The announcement, made at Holyrood today, means the country’s towns and cities will be able to alter their infrastructure.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson said: “I’m pleased we are able to put forward a package of support for our local authorities to implement temporary active travel measures, helping to ensure that people can walk, cycle and wheel during this public health emergency whilst physically distancing and keeping safe from traffic.
He added: “For our air quality, climate, health and particularly for our mental wellbeing at this time, walking and cycling remain our most beneficial form of transport. We should all be encouraged by the increases we are seeing in cycling and this government will do what it can to continue to support this through our recovery and beyond.”
Lee Craigie, Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland said: “Access to safe, pleasant places to exercise is good for everyone’s physical and mental health but it has taken this crisis for towns and cities across the world to realise the urgency with which space for walking, running, cycling and wheeling is needed, and especially in our urban areas”
“It has never been more important that we look after our own health and the health of members of our society who have limited access to such spaces.
John Lauder, Deputy CEO at Sustrans Scotland said:
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s package of support and we are ready to respond to local authorities’ needs. With our local authority partners we have helped turn around this idea in less than two weeks and it’s great to work with a government that listens and engages so actively.”
