Aberfoyle Community

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Aberfoyle Community ACTIVE TRAVEL ACTION PLAN 2020 WHO WE ARE 1 Summary and Background Loch Lomond and The 2 Links to Existing Plans and Policies Trossachs Countryside Trust (LLTCT) & Forth 3 Community Consultation Environment Link The Loch Lomond and TheTrossachs 4 Survey Responses Countryside Trust supports and adds value to the work of public, private, voluntary and community organisations 5 Addressing Issues and Infrastructure within the National Park. With the aim of being an effective mechanism to conserve and improve the landscape 6 Recommendations and ecology of the National Park and to enhance the visitor experience of its 8 Next Steps countryside. • LLTCT coordinates the Walk in the Park programme, Trossachs Rural Ebike Demonstration (TRED) and delivered a key section of the National Cycling and Walking Network at Strathfillan. • Forth Environment Link operates the Falkirk and Stirling Active Travel Hubs. The hubs are there to support anyone who wants to build more active journeys into everyday lives. • Working with the active travel hubs, LLTCT aims to assist with route planning, bike trials, events, training and advice particularly for those living and visiting rural communities and attractions within the National Park.

Summary and Background

Cycling and walking are important activities for the local community and Aberfoyle is a popular destination for cyclists and walkers and those exploring the Trossachs. The local community are keen to improve the cycling and walking opportunities in the area and recently a safe cycle route between Aberfoyle and Stirling was the top voted for item in the participatory budgeting exercise. Through surveys, conversations and focus groups we have learned about what people who live and work in Aberfoyle think about cycling and walking. We have combined these experiences with the shared knowledge and experience of key stakeholders in active travel throughout the region, to create a set of recommendations and actions that can be used by anybody in the community who wants to contribute to making Aberfoyle cycling and walking friendly. The plan is designed to offer practical and achievable steps that can be taken by community groups, schools, families or individuals to overcome barriers to improved cycling and walking and a better place to live, work or visit.

To provide the best chance of making an impact, we hope that interested parties come together to form an active travel or cycling and walking steering group. Such a group opens up opportunities to apply for funding from various sources that can help the community make real changes and improvements. The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Countryside Trust can help facilitate this.

The Benefits of Active Travel in your Community? Walking or cycling for short local journeys offers benefits to individuals, their community and visitors to the area. Some of the most significant benefits are: • Healthier and Happier Communities Walking and cycling are fantastic forms of exercise that greatly improve both physical and mental health. It is important that communities and visitors feel able to build active travel into daily routines, given that inactivity contributes to over 2,500 early deaths in Scotland each year. Our local environment should make us feel good and improve our health and wellbeing. • Safer and fairer places to live, work and visit Active travel can make a community a fairer, safer and more attractive place to live and visit by reducing the number of short journeys by low occupancy vehicles and improving mobility for all. Fewer low occupancy vehicles means less congestion on narrow rural roads, roads that are then safer for all road users. They will also improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions improving the health of both the community and the environment. Providing links to transport interchanges helps address transport inequalities and reduces carbon emissions. • Greener and sustainable place to live, work and visit As a response to Climate Change both walking and cycling provide zero carbon options to fossil-fuelled transportation. By travelling more sustainably communities can help to take action against climate change at both a local and global level. Our natural and built environment are part of the attractiveness that make Aberfoyle and the surrounding area a great place to live, work and visit, generating local wealth and employment. Our history and natural world are a part of our international standing and reputation, attracting many visitors. We can provide an attractive place for doing business, helping realise our full economic potential, with improved active travel links to employment, services and visitor attractions.

1 Links to Existing Plans and Policies

This action plan Transport Scotland – is designed to “A Long-Term Vision for Active Travel in Scotland (2030)” complement existing • Scotland’s communities are shaped around people, with walking or cycling the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys community action plans (CAPs). Sharing some common goals and Stirling Council – outcomes, effective “Walking and Cycling to a Healthier Stirling” communication and • To increase the percentage of people walking and cycling in Stirling collaboration lie at the • To increase the percentage of children and students walking and cycling to/from heart of these actions. places of education in Stirling

Strathard Community Action Plan – 2017-2022 Of the top ten priorities identified by the community in their CAP the following have strong and direct links to active travel and the development of cycling and walking. • Better use of natural assets to make Strathard a ‘destination’ • Engaging events and activities for all • Better understanding and care of the local environment • Better road and roadside maintenance • Explore better public transport services • Develop trails and a cycle ‘hub’

Aberfoyle Primary School Travel Plan The main priorities for the schools in terms of travel planning are to promote: • Safe travel to school • Active travel to school; and • Sustainable travel to school

2 Community Consultation

Over a period of a few months LLTCT has collected the views of people living and working in Aberfoyle, through work with the Community Council and Development Trust, direct interaction with traders in Aberfoyle, feedback from the Walk in the Park group, community surveys, direct interactions with key stakeholder groups and a review of existing reports on active travel for the area.

Top five concerns raised by the community

Traffic & Safety 1 Particularly road safety due to traffic perceived speed, volume and driver behaviour Infrastructure Lack of dedicated active travel facilities, poor way marking and limited information provision, the quality of the surfaces 2 on some forest tracks Connecting Destinations Cycling and walking routes that go places and connect services or visitor attractions – supporting the local economy, 3 jobs and young people Topography and Weather The hills, distances between villages, track surfaces, seasonal light levels (ie dark in winter), need more benches and 4 rest points Accessibility 5 Uneven pavements, poor lighting, access to affordable bikes, coherence of the network Top concerns raised by Traders

Infrastructure Lack of dedicated, traffic free, active travel facilities, poor lighting, public toilets not always open, poor signage and 1 information, secure parking within customers sight Traffic 2 Amount and speed, parking on double yellow lines on the main street Shared Use 3 Some concern over speed and volume of cyclists on busier shared use paths Top three most helpful activities suggested by the community to encourage more active travel

Improved Public Transport frequency and reliability, ability to carry bikes, shuttle bus service to key services and visitor attractions for cyclists 1 and walkers 2 Greater knowledge of routes, free maps, custom route planning Free bike checks and bike maintenance sessions 3 3 Survey Responses

“Lack of safe cycle routes with safe connecting crossings.” FACE FACE “The roads are too busy and I wouldn’t feel safe cycling or walking on them.” 13 TO The most common concerns were about perceived road safety with concerns about interactions with traders speed, quantity and driver behaviour. The fear of sharing space and the confidence to representing 87 staff cycle and walk alongside other traffic acts as a significant barrier to the community as a whole. Active travel to the school can be extremely challenging, due to the area being busy with traffic and the lack of segregation.

Safety concerns are foremost in why most people decide not to travel by bike. While there is a perception that cycling is unsafe, in reality the chances of being involved in a 32 serious accident are low. However perceptions are hugely important in how we make SURVEYS decisions and work is needed to change how cycling is viewed. Behaviour change activities and high quality accessible infrastructure can help achieve this. 41 “Cycling routes that actually go somewhere I need to be, that are traffic free, or don’t have extreme hills. comments ” “Lack of signposting beyond a 2 mile radius, lack of joined up paths to help off road cycling (i.e. buchlyvie to balfron), lack of maps, and an impression that the walks or cycles are harder than they are.” While NCN7 runs directly through the village there is very little other segregated infrastructure that connects the village to destinations with services, the school, visitor attractions and main transport interchanges such as Stirling. 78%currently walk for pleasure/ fitness at least once a week There is a significant network of forest roads and tracks in the area, however a lack of information, maps, waymarking and signposting means that they are not considered by many for active travel or recreation. “Hills & surfaces on forest tracks, weather, distances between towns and villages, fitness level and ability!” of local staff walk to work These are all common blockers to active travel. However most of them can be 45% overcome through planning and simple strategies. Often being part of a group or using a buddy helps overcome many of these. Some ideas to get people motivated again are trying a new bike eg an e-bike, finding a new activity tracker app, cycling or walking with a buddy, signing up for an event, a structured fitness programme. Our Walk in the Park programme and the led ride programmes run by the local bike shop help address many 44%would like to make every day of these issues. journeys by bike but currently Weather is what makes where we live so attractive, there is suitable clothing available don’t to cover almost all weather conditions with some forward planning. “The bus service is infrequent and doesn’t run on a Sunday. There used to be a little shuttle bus the Trossachs Trundler that dropped people off at various places round the Trossachs something like that would encourage more people to come and walk and cycle, particularly if it carried bikes.” of individuals and 100% of the 67% There is good evidence that those using public transport are more physically active. traders would support future Well supported public transport can help remove significant numbers of vehicles from active travel initiatives the road and car parks. 4 Addressing Issues and Infrastructure

Addressing Issues • Good collaboration and communication between key players is essential in addressing and implementing actions that address the capability, opportunities and motivation to encourage and support behaviour change towards more active travel and sustainable transport. There needs to be a range of actions that vary over time, there is no one silver bullet. • To achieve the vision of more people travelling actively and sustainably the local community needs to work with various organisations and groups across the National Park, including the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, Stirling Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Community Partnership and the Loch Lomond and TheTrossachs Countryside Trust., PfA, Tactrans, Sustrans, Community Development Trust. • Locally effective collaboration between key stakeholders is likely to have the most affect in improving infrastructure and supporting behaviour change. Community groups, local traders and individuals including Aberfoyle Bike Hire, Bike Trossachs, Community Development Trust, Community Council, Aberfoyle Village People, Aberfoyle Walk in the Park and the Aberfoyle Traders Association can all play a part.

Infrastructure • Aberfoyle benefits from being located on National Cycle Network 7 which is part of a Eurovelo Route 1. There is a large network of forest roads suitable for cycling with a new emerging activity of “gravel riding” beginning to take off in the area. There is limited promotion, information or signage to help users explore these local networks. • Access to Aberfoyle Primary School can be challenging with concerns over the route to the school from the centre of the village, there is a desire to have better segregated route to the school. • There is cycle parking within the car park but still a desire to have more secure parking within sight of customers of the local cafes and shops. • There is a small bike park within close proximity to the centre of the village which is useful facility for introducing some of the skills of gravel and trail riding.

5 Recommendations

ISSUES ACTION(S) Cycling Friendly Award Criteria

1. School and community to work Strathard Community together to implement school Council Work with SC to ensure STP is in place travel plans Strathard and implemented 2. Offer confidence building sessions for Concerns over road safety, Community Trust Develop incentives for cyclists and desire to increase active adults returning to cycling Barriers, needs and opportunities www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/active- Aberfoyle Traders walkers in Aberfoyle travel and promote more 3. Promote road safety and sharing of Community Engagement travel-funding-opportunities/ Association Promote road safety and signage cycling and walking road space with appropriate signage and campaign Stirling Council Offer adult training sessions and led rides 4. Develop incentives with local traders LLTCT & to encourage local short journeys Aberfoyle Bike Hire

5. Develop and implement a plan for Strathard Community signage and mapping of local path Council network Strathard Convene Strathard Cycling Group 6. Promote Aberfoyle as a destination Community Trust on NCN 7 and EV1 and gravel riding Coordinate community management with local itineraries Bike Trossachs of trail signs Lack of promotion of 7. Free maps and route planning Communication and Promotion L LTC T Walk in the Park, ebike tasters, maps, existing infrastructure, route planning limited segregated active 8. Led walking and cycling events Partnership and Stakeholder Working Dukes Weekender www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/active- travel network. Lack of Organise Dukes Weekender event travel-funding-opportunities/ 9. Deliver a showcase event Community Engagement Forest and Land Scotland routes that go places and Provide access to agreed trails, funding connect destinations 10. Develop local itineraries that LLTNP and maintenance connect key destinations Aberfoyle Bike Hire Funding and promotion 11. Ensure toilets and cycle parking Sustrans are open, up to standard and well Regular led ride programme maintained FVL Leader

12. Provide access to a bike and e-bike Strathard Community share or loan scheme, a bike library Council Provide bike library/bike share scheme Barriers Needs and Opportunities Topography, accessibility 13. Dr Bike sessions LLTCT, local traders Bike Hire, Dr Bike and maintenance www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/active- Partnership and Stakeholder Working and weather 14. Provide maintenance classes Aberfoyle Bike Hire classes travel-funding-opportunities/ Community Engagement 15. Develop “all abilities” fully accessible Strathard Community Develop all abilities routes routes Trust

6 WHO? WHAT? FUNDING?

7 Next Steps

This Active Travel Action Plan outlines some of the barriers faced by the community and actions which may help to overcome them and complements the actions in the Community Action Plan. We can reduce our carbon emissions, improve our environment and enhance our health and wellbeing through improvements in active travel. Working together we can deliver a sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system which helps to deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous community, for residents, businesses and visitors. Small changes to get you started.

I WANT TO... WHO CAN HELP? PHONE / EMAIL / WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA

LLTCT, Bike Trossachs and Aberfoyle Bike Work with others Hire all provide volunteering opportunities. 01389 722648 in my community LLTCT can help bring people together to http://trustinthepark.org/contact-us for active travel form a steering group to work towards a improvements Cycling Scotland Cycle Friendly Facebook @trustinthepark Community Award

01389 722648 Comment on LLTCT can collate comments and share existing and/or future http://trustinthepark.org/contact-us/ them with the Cycle Stirling group, Stirling cycling and walking Council and Tactran Facebook @trustinthepark infrastructure

01786 484040 Report a problem with roads, Strathard Community Council [email protected] pavements or paths Contact Stirling Council online my.stirling.gov.uk/forms/ in my community www.ccstrathard.org/

Aberfoyle Bike Hire provides a repair service [email protected] Get my bike repaired and offers Dr Bike sessions and evening bike Tel: 01877 382023 and/or learn how to repair sessions from time to time. Similarly fix it myself Stirling Active Travel Hub offers these [email protected] services 01786 474160

8 Delivery Partners

Local Partners

Bike Trossachs Aberfoyle Bike Hire Dukes Weekender Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Countryside Trust Aberfoyle Traders Association Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Strathard Community Trust Stirling Council Strathard Community Council

Regional and national Partners

Sustrans Scotland Forth Environment Link Rosebery House Unit 4, Ground Floor 9 Haymarket Terrace Cameron House Edinburgh EH12 5EZ Forthside Way T: 0131 346 1384 Stirling FK8 1QZ E: [email protected] T: 01786 449215

Transport Scotland Cycling Scotland Buchanan House 24 Blythswood Square 58 Port Dundas Road Glasgow G2 4BG Glasgow G4 0HF T: 0141 229 5350 T: 0141 272 7100 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Living Streets Scotland Paths for All 5 Rose Street Kintail House, Forthside Way Edinburgh EH2 2PR Stirling FK8 1QZ T: 0131 243 2645 T: 01786 641851 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Funding www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/active-travel-funding-opportunities/ Policy www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/about-walking-and-cycling-policy/#42960

9 01389 722648 [email protected] Countryside Trust, Carrochan Road, Balloch, G83 8EG

l f www.trustinthepark.org