News on University Route Stirling

Life has changed. We have had to adapt and learn to cope with a new, distanced way of life. It isn’t easy and it looks like there will be many more challenges over the coming few months. For many people the thing that helped relieve the anxiety and strain of lockdown was getting out for their daily walk or cycle. This desire to walk and cycle continued even as lockdown eased, Stirling has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people cycling across the city, with rates up 60% on last year! The Scottish government is now advising people to walk, wheel or cycle to work, school or for leisure trips instead of using public transport and to consider active travel for shorter driving journeys.

A recent Cyclescheme study found that 77% of people that have started cycling during lockdown want to continue. The Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project is more important now than ever before, putting infrastructure as well as training and support in place to give people the confidence to travel on bicycles. Not only this, we understand that having high quality public spaces will ensure we have a sustainable, liveable city that supports health, wellbeing and happiness. Which is why we value engagement so much and want to hear how best you feel some of our city spaces can be utilised.

We have spent the last few months analysing feedback you gave us in February. Largely focused on the best options for Causewayhead, Albert Place and improving the public realm spaces around Upper Craigs. We want to continue to involve everyone in the next phase of the project. Once the designs are updated we will be looking for your (socially distant) feedback and ideas again. So watch this space. . .

In the meantime, if you have any stories about how you rediscovered cycling or walking during lockdown please do share them with us at walk-cycle-live@stirling.gov.uk. Have you discovered any new areas or routes? Has this changed how you travel now? (Photos would be a bonus.)