Statement:

We the undersigned petition the Aberdeen City Council to Build a cycle track on Union Street in Aberdeen that protects cycle users by providing physical separation from motor traffic.

Justification:

The Scottish government's sustainable transport hierarchy puts cycling second from the top in priority, just under walking and wheeling. Prioritising cycling means planning and designing for mass cycling by all kinds of people on all kinds of bikes.

Cycling by Design is the Scottish government's design guidelines which provides key messages on how we can deliver this and one of these messages says cycle users must be protected from motor vehicles by physical separation. Another key message is that cycling infrastructure must be fully accessible by anyone who wants to use it, regardless of age, ability or experience. A good test of fit-for-purpose is whether it's safe for a 12-year-old to cycle themselves.

Aberdeen doesn't have any fit-for-purpose protected cycling infrastructure yet and Union Street is a great place to start because there are already plans to develop the area and as a central access point it provides an important artery to many destinations around the city including the city centre, schools, universities, parks and beaches.

Background:

I initially submitted this as an official petition for the Aberdeen City Council website via ePetition on September 21st 2022. It turns out they rejected it but never got back to me. I had to send several emails to multiple people and email addresses before I got a response. This is the reason I was given:

The Council of 29 June 2022 considered various options for Union Street Central within the City Centre Masterplan Update report RES/22/137. These options included for segregated cycle routes. The Council chose an alternative option.