Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 2019 Evaluation Report
Walkers and cyclists at Jubilee Bridge, near Castle Stalker, Appin. Image credit: © John Linton, all rights reserved
11th February 2021
Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute. Join us on our journey. www.sustrans.org.uk Registered Charity No. 326550 (England and Wales) SC039263 (Scotland).
NatureScot is Scotland’s nature agency. We work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. www.nature.scot
Document Details
Reference ID: SUSR1869
Version: 8.0
Client: Aileen Armstrong, Stuart Davies and Bridget Jones at NatureScot; Phil Kearney at Sustrans
Circulation Status: Final report, circulated to NatureScot and Sustrans
Issue Date: 11/02/2021
Author(s): Sam Dennis and Michael Carreno
Reviewed by: David Corner
Signed off by: Harry Griffin
Contact: [email protected]
1 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Contents
Executive Summary ______4 Encourage others to enjoy Scotland ______4 Strengthen local economies ______5 Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices ______6 1. Introduction ______7 1.1 Background ______7 1.2 Report structure ______8 1.3 Outcomes ______10 2. Methodology ______11 2.1 Site-specific monitoring ______11 2.1.1 Route User Intercept Surveys (RUIS) and manual counts ______11 2.2 Network-wide monitoring ______12 2.3 Public Survey ______12 2.4 Business Survey ______13 3. Results ______14 3.1 Encourage more people to enjoy Scotland ______14 3.1.1 Increased walking and cycling usage of the NWCN ______14 3.1.2 Increased walking and cycling on the NWCN among under- represented groups ______22 3.1.3 Increased purposeful walking and cycling trips on the NWCN ______38 3.1.4 Increased tourism visitor numbers over time ______41 3.1.5 Feedback from NWCN beneficiaries that expresses positive sentiments ______42 3.2 Strengthen local economies ______48 3.2.1 Positive feedback from local businesses on/near the NWCN ______48 3.2.2 Reports of increased business revenue from local businesses on/near the NWCN 51 3.2.3 Evidence of monetised benefits from usage of the NWCN ______54 3.2.4 Evidence of tourism-related contributions to the economy from use of the NWCN 56 3.3 Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices 59 3.3.1 Reported increases in physical activity and attainment of recommended weekly physical activity levels ______59 3.3.2 Reported increase in active travel (evidence of new and/or increased walking and cycling activity on the NWCN) ______66
2 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 3.3.3 Reduction in perception of level of risk as a barrier to active travel ______71 4. Further Insights ______72 4.1 Barriers to using the NWCN ______72 4.2 Improvements to encourage greater use of NWCN ____ 74 5. Conclusion ______79 5.1 Encourage more people to enjoy Scotland ______79 5.2 Strengthen local economies ______80 5.3 Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices 81 6. Appendix ______84 6.1 Route User Intercept Survey monitoring sites ______84 6.2 Whole Network Usage Estimate (WNUE) methodology _ 86 6.2.1 Determinants of usage on the NCN ______86 6.2.2 Categorising the NCN according to characteristics that determine usage ______86 6.2.3 Cycling and pedestrian usage data on the NCN ______88 6.2.4 Estimating usage where there are no count data on the NCN ______89 6.2.5 Applying the NCN WNUE methodology to the NWCN ______90 6.2.6 Walkability and cyclability of the NWCN ______91 6.2.7 Cyclability of Scotland’s Great Trails ______92 6.3 Public survey ______94 6.3.1 User demographics of NWCN route components ______94 6.4 Business Survey ______101
3 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Executive Summary
Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network (NWCN) comprises Scotland’s Great Trails, the National Cycle Network and Scottish Canals towpaths. Totalling 6,879km in length, these strategic routes are just part of the estimated 84,000km of paths and trails in Scotland.
Since 2015 NatureScot, Sustrans, and Scottish Canals have worked together to deliver an ambitious programme of network improvement as set out in National Planning Framework 3, spending £30m on improving 625km of strategic walking and cycling routes. This study builds on the baseline study of 2016 and assesses the economic, social, health and environmental impact of the NWCN through public and business surveys, data from cycle and pedestrian counts, and surveys of users on the NWCN. The headline findings from this study are set out below under the three central objectives of the programme.
Encourage others to enjoy Scotland
145.1 million walking and cycling trips took place on the NWCN in 2019. This includes 40.6 million cycling trips and 104.5 million walking trips.
Nearly half of all route users surveyed (48%) told us their use of the NWCN had increased over the last 4 years. NWCN users vary in how frequently they use the network, with nearly a quarter of all users surveyed (24%) making their trip for the first time, and 13% using the network every day of the week. Amongst those aware of the various networks which comprise the NWCN, more had used Scotland’s canal towpaths in the past 12 months (40%), compared to Scotland’s Great Trails (38%) and the NCN (34%). Users from black and minority ethnic groups, as well as those with an activity-limiting long-term illness/disability and in poorer health are under- represented on the NWCN.
87% of all users interviewed on the NWCN were travelling for leisure purposes, with 71% of these on a short trip of less than 3 hours, 19% on a day trip longer than 3 hours, and 10% on a walking/cycling holiday. More than a third (35%) of all leisure users were travelling from a holiday base.
4 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 This indicates that the NWCN offers significant tourism appeal. One third of all route user survey respondents were using their route to access tourist/visitor attractions.
Using a Net Promoter Score methodology, all route user survey respondents were asked how likely it is that they would recommend the route to a friend, with possible responses ranging from 0 (very unlikely) to 10 (very likely). Here as many as 58% of respondents indicated that it was very likely they would recommend the route to a friend (a score of 10). Subtracting the percentage of detractors (those who gave a score from 0 to 6) from the percentage of promoters (a score of 9 or 10), an overall net promoter score of +64 has been given for the NWCN.
Strengthen local economies
The monetised benefits of walking and cycling on the NWCN (and reduced car use) are estimated at £108.1 million in 2019. £91.3 million of this comes from the reduced risk of premature death, with a further £16.9 million coming from reduced workplace absenteeism benefits. Other benefits accrue from a reduction in infrastructure maintenance, improved road safety, better air quality and a reduction in greenhouse gases.
We asked individual businesses on the NWCN about the benefits of the network to them. 59% said they had benefitted from increased footfall, and 55% from increased revenue.
In addition, it is estimated NWCN recreational walkers and cyclists spent £1.9 billion in the local economy in 2019. £269.6 million comes from recreational cyclists, with an estimated spend per head per trip of £8.50, and a further £1.6 billion comes from recreational walkers, spending £3.62 per head per trip. Spend from recreational users of the NWCN is estimated to have supported more than 27,000 FTE jobs.
5 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices
84% of route users surveyed indicated that the NWCN helps them to increase their physical activity. 16% of route user survey respondents said they would not have been able to achieve their levels of physical activity if they were unable to access the NWCN. In fact, 94% of route user survey respondents said exercise was a motivating factor for using the NWCN. Three quarters of respondents (75%) also indicated that their use of the network helps improve their wellbeing. For nearly all route users (93%), using the NWCN improves their overall satisfaction with life.
For the vast majority of route users, the entirety of their trips on the NWCN are being made actively (i.e. non-motorised modes), suggesting the NWCN is accessible to many by bike or on foot. Walking and cycling trips on the NWCN in 2019 are estimated as taking 19.5 million car trips off the road, saving 7.1 million kg of CO2e.
6 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 1. Introduction
1.1 Background
In June 2014, the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 3 set out its ambition for a National Walking and Cycling Network (NWCN) in Scotland (Figure 1). This national development was to build on the existing network of longer distance walking and cycling routes in Scotland (which includes the National Cycle Network (NCN), Scotland’s Great Trails (SGTs) and Scotland’s canal towpaths) by closing key gaps, upgrading connecting routes, encouraging the shared-use of paths by various modes and improving links with public transport.
Since 2015, NatureScot1 have led the partnership with Sustrans and Scottish Canals to deliver the NWCN Project Plan2. This plan set out an ambitious programme of route implementation, with 30 routes prioritised for action within 5 years, and another 19 routes identified as longer term projects.
Between 2015 and 2020 the partners between them spent £30m on building and improving 625km of strategic routes. Work is underway on nearly all of the 5 year priorities, and good progress has also been made on delivering many of the longer term projects. Work on the ground has included path building and re-surfacing, building bridges, signposting, removing stiles and replacing gates, installing benches and improving lighting. Other work has included feasibility studies, consultation with communities and land managers, and the development of promotional projects.
NatureScot and Sustrans also adopted a collaborative approach for monitoring the impact of the network in terms of meeting its aims and objectives. An initial phase of monitoring work was undertaken in 2016, providing a baseline understanding of use (and the associated benefits) of the NWCN. These findings helped inform discussions on the on-going development of the NWCN and provided a useful benchmark for the final evaluation report. A second phase of monitoring work, undertaken in 2019, incorporated a number of methodological improvements, meaning that the 2019 research findings are not directly comparable with those of 2016. This 2019 final evaluation report therefore focuses on the results from the data collection exercise undertaken in 2019 and does not include a detailed examination of
1 Please note that NatureScot were previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage. 2 https://www.nature.scot/national-walking-and-cycling-network-project-plan
7 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 longitudinal changes between the baseline report and this one. Please refer to the baseline monitoring report for information on the baseline results from 20163.
1.2 Report structure
This report begins by describing the different monitoring tools and methodologies that have been used to evaluate the project’s outcomes. It then discusses the results, presenting the findings from the monitoring tools used to gather evidence against each of the outcomes4. We then present the findings on barriers to using the NWCN, and suggest ways improve the network within a ‘next steps’ chapter. Our conclusion summarises the main findings for each outcome, with an appendix providing some supplementary information and data tables to support the charts shown in the body of the text.
3 The whole network usage estimate for 2016 has been recalculated using the updated 2019 methodology, and results are presented in section 3.1.1.1. 4 All figure captions accompanying charts show an N = figure, relating to the number of respondents who answered the question. Percentages shown in charts reflect the proportion of responses given from the total number of respondents to that question (i.e. the N= figure). Please note that due to rounding, the sum of the figures in the charts may not sum to 100%.
8 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 1 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network
9 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 1.3 Outcomes
Table 1 shows the outcomes of the programme, as well as the associated objectives which have informed the monitoring design.
Table 1 Outcomes and the associated objectives of the study
Outcomes Objectives
Encourage more people to Increased walking and cycling usage of the NWCN enjoy Scotland Increased walking and cycling on the NWCN among under- represented groups
Increased purposeful walking and cycling trips on the NWCN
Increased tourism visitor numbers over time
Feedback from NWCN beneficiaries that expresses positive sentiments
Strengthen local economies Positive feedback from local businesses on/near the NWCN
Reports of increased business revenue from local businesses on/near the NWCN
Evidence of tourism-related contributions to the economy from usage of the NWCN
Support physical activity and Reported increases in physical activity and attainment of sustainable travel choices recommended weekly physical activity levels
Reported increases in active travel (evidence of new and/or increased walking and cycling activity on the NWCN)
Reduction in perception of level of risk as a barrier to active travel
10 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 2. Methodology
The monitoring of Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network includes two strands of work – site-specific monitoring and network-wide monitoring. Site-specific monitoring covers the collection and analysis of data at key sites on the NWCN. This monitoring is intended to capture the impact of the programme on individual users of the networks which can aggregated to build a picture of how the network is used and the experience of using it. Network-wide monitoring covers the collection and analysis of data to inform an understanding of impact at a network-wide scale. This section will detail the methodologies behind each.
2.1 Site-specific monitoring
2.1.1 Route User Intercept Surveys (RUIS) and manual counts
The Route User Intercept Survey (RUIS) is a face-to-face survey designed by Sustrans which involves intercepting on a route as many users over the age of sixteen as possible, and asking them questions on journey purpose, travel behaviour, perceptions of safety and physical activity and wellbeing. The surveys are conducted over 4 days (one term-time weekday; one term-time weekend day; one school holiday weekday; and one school holiday weekend day) between the hours of 7am and 7pm. The user surveys are accompanied by a manual count of all users passing the survey location, broken down my mode of travel, age and gender. This ‘population’ count can be scaled up to an estimate of the total number of trips passing that survey location in a year (termed an annual usage estimate or AUE), and can be used to weight the survey results to be representative of all route users (where survey samples allow).
Baseline RUIS took place in September and October 2016 at 17 different strategic locations on the NWCN. The baseline report recommended the timing of follow-up data collection be moved to the summer to improve response rates. So follow-up surveys were conducted at all locations in 2019 from June to September, with an additional 3 sites added to increase the sample (please see Table 6 for a table of these locations and Figure 64 for a map).
11 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 In this report, the (unweighted)5 survey results for 2019 have been aggregated and reported as a whole. They have been used with other datasets and tools to help in the estimation of impact on a network-wide scale for 2019.
2.2 Network-wide monitoring
We have used Sustrans’ NCN Whole Network Usage Estimate (NCN WNUE) methodology to estimate usage across the entire extent of the NWCN in 20196. This methodology uses count data7 from sections of the UK-wide NCN monitored by automatic cycle and pedestrian counters, and from manual counts, to make an estimate of usage on the unmonitored sections of the NWCN. It is based on the following premise:
Any sections of a network which share the same characteristics (which are known to affect walking and cycling levels) will see the same level of usage.
Please see Appendix section 6.2 for a full description of how trip numbers are calculated on the NWCN.
2.3 Public Survey
1,000 members of the Scottish public, aged 16 and over, participated in an online survey8 starting on 7th February 2020. Because we were asking questions about activity over the previous week, we suspended data collection during a period of severe weather (storm “Ciara”) and restarted the survey on 17th February, ending on 23rd February. To ensure the sample was representative of the Scottish population, target quotas were set based on gender, age, socio- economic status groups and region. The interviews collected a range of information including respondents’ use of Scottish walking and/ or cycling paths and routes, changes in use since 2016, reasons for any changes reported, and wider perceptions and attitudes towards the routes and paths they had used, or reasons why they did not use them.
5 Not all surveys had suitable sample sizes to be weighted to the population count. To ensure that all 20 surveys could be aggregated and analysed together, only the unweighted results from the surveys were aggregated and analysed together. 6 The methodology described here was used to estimate usage on the NWCN in 2019 only. For the baseline report, a different and incomparable methodology was used to estimate usage on the NWCN. Due to their incomparability, no comparisons will be made to the estimate produced in 2016. The methodology described here was also used to estimate 2019 usage on the NCN (UK-wide) and NCN in Scotland specifically. 7 Automatic cycle and pedestrian counters are used to estimate usage on traffic-free sections, and DfT manual traffic count points are used to estimate usage on on-road sections. 8 Conducted by Dynata, and subcontracted by 56 Degree Insight.
12 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 In 2017, NatureScot also commissioned a survey of the Scottish public by placing a set of questions on the YouGov Scottish omnibus survey9. The results obtained were based on responses from a representative sample of 1,028 Scottish adults (aged 18 and over). Where comparability is possible, this report will compare results between the 2019 public survey and the 2017 omnibus survey to assess changes in awareness and usage of the NWCN amongst the adult population of Scotland.
2.4 Business Survey
100 businesses located on, or near to, different sections of the NWCN, were identified, based on geographical location and types of paths/routes in proximity and recruited to participate in a telephone based survey. Team Search10 conducted the interviews over the first two weeks of December 2019, and collected a range of information including characteristics of each business, and if and how they had benefited from the NWCN in terms of income, growth and employment. While the results should not be considered representative of all businesses and business types linked to the NWCN, they do provide insight on the impact of the NWCN development on local businesses.
9 Completed as part of the 2016 baseline monitoring exercise. 10 https://www.teamsearchmr.co.uk/
13 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 3. Results
3.1 Encourage more people to enjoy Scotland
3.1.1 Increased walking and cycling usage of the NWCN
3.1.1.1 Awareness of the NWCN Figure 2 shows awareness of the NWCN amongst respondents to the RUIS i.e. people who we interviewed whilst actually using the network. More than half (56%) were aware that they were travelling on the NWCN. We asked the same question of people on the NCN (N=715)11 and more than three-quarters (77%) indicated that they were aware they were travelling on the NCN.
Figure 2 Are you aware the route you are on is part of the NWCN / NCN? (Route user Intercept Surveys, NWCN N=1168, NCN N=715)
100% 23% 80% 44%
60%
40% 77% 56%
20% % of % respodents 0% NWCN NCN Yes No
In our 2017 and 2019 surveys of the general public, we asked people if they had heard of the NWCN (as a whole network), as well as the three separate route networks which comprise the NWCN (Scotland’s Great Trails (SGTs), the National Cycle Network (NCN) and Scotland’s canal towpaths), as well as core paths and rights of way.
11 Please note that at three NCN sites this question was not asked: Loch Lomond and Cowal Way (Tank’s Landing), Moray Coastal Trail and Great Glen Way (Banavie). It is not thought that their exclusion in this sample would have any significant impact on the overall NCN results presented here.
14 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 As shown in Figure 3, levels of awareness of the NWCN among the general public were very similar to those we found amongst users of the NWCN – 59% of public survey respondents in 2019 indicated they had heard of the NWCN (slightly higher than the 55% reported in the 2017 public survey), compared to 56% of those interviewed whilst using the network.
Figure 3 Before taking this survey, were you aware that Scotland has a National Walking and Cycling Network? (2019 public survey, N=1,000; 2017 public survey, N=1,028)
100% 90%
80% 42% 45% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 59% % of % respondents 55% 20% 10% 0% 2019 2017 Yes No
However public awareness of the different route networks comprising the NWCN varies considerably (Figure 4). Whilst levels of awareness of Scotland’s canal towpaths and Scotland’s Great Trails are similar to levels of awareness of the NWCN as a whole (58% and 56% in 2019 respectively), levels of awareness of the NCN and rights of way are higher (64% and 72% in 2019 respectively), and core path level of awareness much lower (22% in 2019). However, taken together, 83% of 2019 public survey respondents and 80% of 2017 survey respondents had heard of at least one of the three separate network components (Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal towpaths) that make up the NWCN in Scotland.
15 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 4 Before taking this survey, had you ever heard of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN, Scotland’s canal towpaths, rights of way or core paths? (2019 public survey, N=1,000; 2017 public survey, N=1,028)
100
90 79% 80 72% 70 64%65% 58% 60 56% 55%
50 44%
40 % of % respondents 30 22% 20 14% 10
0 Core Paths Rights of Way National Cycle Scotlands Scottish Canal Network Great Trails Towpaths
2019 2017
3.1.1.2 Usage of the NWCN In 2019, we estimate that approximately 145.1 million walking and cycling trips took place on the NWCN. This includes 40.6 million cycling trips and 104.5 million walking trips. Cycling trips account for approximately 28% of all trips on the network, with walking trips accounting for 72%. Two-thirds (67%) of all cycling trips and the vast majority of pedestrian trips (92%) took place on the traffic-free NWCN (which accounts for 47% of the entire network) (see Table 2).
16 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Table 2 Total cycling and walking trips on the NWCN in 2019, and the network length
Mode Traffic-free On-road Total
Cycling trips 27.0 million 13.6 million 40.6 million
Pedestrian trips 95.7 million 8.7 million 104.5 million
Total trips 122.8 million 22.3 million 145.1 million
Network length 3,251 km 3,628 km 6,879 km12
145.1 million trips on the NWCN in 2019.
At the time of the baseline monitoring report, a very different methodology was used to estimate usage on the NWCN for 2016. The 2019 methodology is much improved and draws on a much wider dataset of count points (see Appendix section 6.2 for the full methodology). The whole network usage estimate for 2016 has therefore been recalculated using this new methodology.
In total, it is estimated 127.8 million walking and cycling trips took place on the NWCN in 2016. This includes 35.9 million cycling trips (24.1 million on traffic-free NWCN and 11.9 million on-road) and 91.9 million pedestrian trips (84.3 million on traffic-free NWCN and 7.6 million on-road).
Whole network usage estimates are best considered a snapshot of usage due to the inherent difficulty in calculating usage of a whole network from a sparse set of count points. Whilst the apparent increase in usage between 2016 and 2019 is encouraging, it should be treated with caution.
12 This is the length of the NWCN as determined through the merging of GIS shapefiles for Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal network and may be different to the total NWCN length reported elsewhere. In the context of the whole network usage estimate methodology, any discrepancy in network length is considered negligible.
17 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 5 shows the breakdown by mode of travel of those who were stopped to answer questions on the NWCN, to give context to the RUIS results which follow. Nearly two thirds (64%) were walking (including dog walking), 31% cycling, 4% running or jogging and 1% pursuing other activities (including using a wheelchair and horse riding).
Figure 5 Activity undertaken on the NWCN (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
4% 1%
Walking (inc. dog 31% walking) Cycling
Running/jogging 64% Other
Results from the aggregated RUIS also provide insights into how frequently individual users are travelling on the NWCN. Figure 6 shows nearly a quarter (24%) are making the trip for the first time, whilst 13% make their trip every day of the week. 23% make their trip 2-5 times a week, 10% weekly, 4% fortnightly and 6% monthly. Nearly half (46%) of all route users make their trip on the NWCN at least once a week.
Figure 6 How often do you make this journey? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
5% 13% 24% Daily 2-5 times a week 23% Weekly Fortnightly Monthly Less frequently 16% First time 10% Other 6% 4%
18 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 We also asked route users to estimate how far their trip would be. These trips distances will reflect the entirety of their trip, not just that part of their trip on the NWCN13. The median cycling and walking trip distances were 25.7km and 6.4km respectively. Together, the median trip distance was 9.7km.
Median14 trip distances travelled:
25.7 km 6.4 km 16.0 miles 4.0 miles
We also explored characteristics of the use of the NWCN in more detail using the data from the 2019 and 2017 public surveys. We asked those respondents who were aware of either Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths whether and how often they used these networks.
Figure 7 shows how often people used the NWCN. Here nearly four fifths (79%) of people questioned in 2019 who were aware of the routes reported using them. This compares to 61% of 2017 public survey respondents. 33% of people surveyed in 2019 told us they used walking and/or cycling paths and routes at least once per week, compared with 17% of people in the 2017 survey. 46% of 2019 public survey respondents used the NWCN once or twice a month or less, compared to 37% of 2017 public survey respondents.
13 These distances should also be considered in the context of the routes the surveys were delivered on. In most cases, the survey locations reflect rural locations where longer distance trips are more likely. 14 The middle value once all distances given have been ordered from lowest to highest.
19 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 7 How often, on average, do you use the NWCN15? (Results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=829; 2017 public survey, N=824)
45 39% 40 35 30 25 21% 20 18% 17%17%
15 12% 11% 10% 11% 10 7% 8% 5% 5% 5% % of % respondents 5 2%1% 2% 2% 0 More Every 4-6 2-3 Once a Once or Once Less Never than day times a times a week twice a every 2- often once per week week month 3 day months 2019 2017
We also explored variations in use of the different route networks which make up the NWCN, drawing on data from the 2019 public survey (Figure 9).
Figure 9 shows that amongst people who were aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, 38% had used them in the last 12 months, whilst 57% had not, and 5% were unsure. Amongst those aware of the NCN, a smaller proportion had used the network in the previous year, at 34%. 63% had not and 3% were unsure. 40% of people aware of the Scottish canal towpaths had used them in the last 12 months, whilst 58% had not and 3% were unsure.
15 Please note that the exact wording of this question was ‘How often, on average, do you use walking and cycling paths and routes of the type described in the previous question’, with the previous question describing the routes that comprise the NWCN.
20 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 8 Thinking about the last 12 months, have you used any of the following for local trips or to travel further afield? (Results filtered for those aware of either network) (2019 public survey, SGT N=560; NCN N=644; Scotland’s canal towpaths, N=583)
100%
80% 57% 63% 58% 60%
40%
20% 38% 34% 40% % of % respondents 0% Scotland's Great Trails NCN Scottish canal towpaths Yes, I have No, I haven't Don't know
2019 public survey respondents who indicated that they were aware of the existence of the various networks were also asked to indicate how their use of Scottish walking and/or cycling paths had changed over the past 4 years (since 2016). Figure 9 shows that nearly half (48%) indicated that their use had increased since 2016, 21% by a lot and 27% by a little. Just over a third (34%) reported no change and only 9% respondents reported a decrease (6% decreased a little and 3% decreased a lot).
Figure 9 How use of walking and cycling paths and routes in Scotland has changed over the last 4 years (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=65716)
50 45
40 34% 35 30 27% 25 21% 20 15 10 6% 6% 3% 3%
% of % respondents 5 0 NA/ Did notDon’t know Decreased Decreased Not Increased Increased use in a lot a little changed a little a lot 2016
16 Note that respondents who reported that they “never” used the NWCN in the last 12 months, but were aware of at least one component of the NWCN, were not asked this question (N = 172). Some of these may have previously used the NWCN and so their usage will have decreased; however, the number of respondents in that group is fewer than the number reporting an increase (N = 317), so the overall pattern of an increase in usage would remain even under the most conservative assumption regarding these missing responses.
21 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 3.1.2 Increased walking and cycling on the NWCN among under- represented groups
This section considers the demographics of NWCN users drawing on data from different surveys. In particular it examines how representative NWCN users are of the general population. In the following charts, we set out the demographics of:
All respondents to the route user surveys;
All respondents to the 2019 public survey who are aware of either Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and have used them in the past 12 months;
All respondents to the 2019 public survey who have visited the outdoors in Scotland for leisure and recreation in the last 12 months;
All respondents to the 19/20 Scottish People and Nature Survey (SPANS)17 (administered by NatureScot) who are identified as an outdoor visitor;
All adult respondents to the Scottish Household Survey for 2018, as an indicator of the demographics of the broader adult Scottish population18.
In each survey, the following demographics are explored: age, gender, ethnicity and employment status, as well as whether respondents have an activity limiting health problem or disability and their self-reported health.
Figure 10 compares the age profiles of respondents to the different surveys19. The SPANS and public survey outdoor users display similar age profiles – those in the 55+ age group represent the largest proportion of outdoor users (35% in SPANS and 38% in the public survey), with very similar proportions in the 35-54 age group (33% and 32% respectively) and those aged 34 and under (32% and 30% respectively). Users of the NWCN in the public survey also show a very similar division between the age groups, with 36% aged 55 and above, 32% aged 35- 54 and 32% aged 34 and under. However, results from the RUIS sample indicate a much higher proportion of older users (46% aged 55 and above) and a smaller proportion of younger users on the NWCN (20% aged 34 and under), compared to users of the outdoors in Scotland more generally.
17 In 19/20 SPANS collected data on participation in outdoor recreation from 11,100 adults aged 16 and over living in Scotland. The survey defines anyone who has taken an outdoor visit in the last four weeks (prior to the survey) as being an outdoor visitor. The survey used a non-probability quota sampling technique with results weighted to be representative of the broader Scottish adult population. 18 Overall sample size of approximately 10,500 respondents. 19 The age categories available from the Scottish Household survey do not align with those from the other surveys and therefore cannot be compared – 30% aged 16-34; 15% aged 35-44; 26% aged 45-59; 20% aged 60-74; 10% aged 75+.
22 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 10 Age of users of the NWCN and the outdoors in Scotland (RUIS N=1,168; 2019 public survey (NWCN users) N=657; 2019 public survey (outdoor users) N=932; SPANS N=3,257)
100% 90% 36% 38% 35% 80% 46% 70% 60% 50% 32% 32% 33% 40% 34% 30% 20% 32% 30% 32% % of % respondents 10% 20% 0% RUIS (NWCN Public survey Public survey SPANS (outdoor users) (NWCN users) (outdoor users) users)
34 and under 35-54 55 plus
Figure 11 shows that users of the outdoors in Scotland have a similar gender share to the broader Scottish population in the SHS. In the public survey, 53% of outdoor users are female, compared to 50% of outdoor users in SPANS, and 52% of all respondents to the SHS. NWCN users from the public survey also show a similar female-male share to outdoor users and the Scottish population more broadly. However, in the RUIS sample, male respondents outnumber female respondents to a much greater degree (58% male compared to 42% female).
Figure 11 Gender of users of the NWCN and the outdoors in Scotland (RUIS N=1,168; 2019 public survey (NWCN users) N=653; 2019 public survey (outdoor users) N=926; SPANS N=3,257; SHS N=9,410 (minimum))
100% 90% 80% 49% 47% 50% 48% 70% 58% 60% 50% 40% 30% 51% 53% 50% 52%
20% 42% % of % respondents 10% 0% RUIS (NWCN Public survey Public survey SPANS (outdoor SHS (adult users) (NWCN users) (outdoor users) users) Scottish population) Female Male
23 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 12 shows the ethnicity of all respondents to each survey. The SHS indicates that 96% of the Scottish population are white, and this is mirrored exactly amongst the outdoor users in the public survey and SPANS. Amongst NWCN users, the proportion of white users is greater, with as many as 97% and 99% of all respondents to the public survey and RUIS identifying themselves as white.
Figure 12 Ethnicity of users of the NWCN and the outdoors in Scotland (RUIS N=1,161; 2019 public survey (NWCN users) N=655; 2019 public survey (outdoor users) N=929; SPANS N=3,251; SHS N=9,700)
1% 3% 3% 3% 4% 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 99% 97% 97% 96% 96% 40% 30% % of % respondents 20% 10% 0% RUIS (NWCN Public survey Public survey SPANS (outdoor SHS (adult users) (NWCN users) (outdoor users) users) Scottish population) White BAME
Figure 13 shows the employment status of respondents. Over half of all SHS respondents are working full or part-time (55%) compared to not working (45%). Similar proportions are seen amongst outdoor users more generally (57% working full-time/part-time in SPANS, compared to 58% in the public survey). Amongst NWCN users there is a higher proportion of respondents working full or part-time (65% in the public survey and 63% in the RUIS), when compared to outdoor users and the Scottish population more broadly.
24 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 13 Employment status of users of the NWCN and the outdoors in Scotland (RUIS N=1,168; 2019 public survey (NWCN users) N=624; 2019 public survey (outdoor users) N=917; SPANS N=3,257; SHS N=9,700)
100% 90% 37% 35% 80% 42% 43% 45% 70% 60% 50% 40% 63% 65% 30% 58% 57% 55% % of % respondents 20% 10% 0% RUIS (NWCN Public survey Public survey SPANS (outdoor SHS (adult users) (NWCN users) (outdoor users) users) Scottish population)
Working full/part-time Not working (including retired)
It is possible to compare data on how people with a health problem or disability which limits their activities are represented on the network20. Results vary between the different surveys. Amongst the Scottish population more broadly, as many as 23% of respondents indicated that they had a ‘limiting’ physical or mental health condition/illness. This varies amongst users of the outdoors more generally, with 38% and 18% of public survey and SPANS respondents (respectively) giving the same response. Amongst NWCN users as few as 10% of RUIS respondents indicated that they have an activity limiting health problem or disability, increasing to 36% amongst public survey respondents.
20 In the RUIS, respondents were asked if their day-to-day activities were limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months. A similar question was asked in the public survey, albeit replacing ‘day-to-day activities’ with specific references to their ability to participate in outdoor recreational activities. In SPANS, the same question was asked as in the public survey. In the Scottish Household Survey, respondents were asked if they have a long-term physical or mental health condition.
25 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 14 Users of the NWCN and outdoors in Scotland whose activities are limited because of a health problem or disability (RUIS N=1,168; 2019 public survey (NWCN users) N=652; 2019 public survey (outdoor users) N=932; SPANS N=1,092; SHS N=9,660)
100% 1% 90% 80% 70% 64% 62% 60% 82% 77% 89% 50% 40% 30% 20% 36% 38% 10% 18% 23% 10% 0% RUIS (NWCN Public survey Public survey SPANS (outdoor SHS (adult users) (NWCN users) (outdoor users) users) Scottish population)
Yes No Prefer not to say
Respondents to the RUIS and public surveys were asked to rate how their general health had been over the previous four weeks; whilst SPANS and SHS respondents were asked to rate their general health more broadly (i.e. not within the last four weeks specifically). This is shown in Figure 15. 71% of SHS respondents indicated that their health was good. 20% indicated it was fair and 9% bad. In comparison, 81% of outdoor users questioned in the SPANS survey indicated that their health was good and 15% said it was fair. Amongst the outdoor users of the public survey, a smaller proportion indicated that their health was good (73%), with nearly one in five (19%) suggesting it was fair. 78% of NWCN users from the public survey said they enjoy good health and 16% said their health was fair. The RUIS surveys showed that 94% of NWCN users enjoyed good health, a much higher proportion than the other surveys.
26 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 15 Self-reported health of users of the NWCN and outdoors in Scotland (RUIS N=1,168; 2019 public survey (NWCN users) N=656; 2019 public survey (outdoor users) N=928; SPANS N=1,092; SHS N=9,700)
100% 1% 7% 8% 4% 9% 90% 15% 5% 16% 80% 19% 20% 70% 60% 50% 94% 40% 81% 78% 73% 71% 30% 20% 10% 0% RUIS (NWCN Public survey Public survey SPANS (outdoor SHS (adult users) (NWCN users) (outdoor users) users) Scottish population)
Good Fair Bad
3.1.2.1 Demographics of NWCN users and their frequency of network use This section explores the frequency of NWCN use by demographics, amongst the 2019 public survey respondents only. This includes their age, gender and whether respondents have an activity-limiting health problem or disability. Alongside these, the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation21 (SIMD) (for the output area of respondents’ home postcode) is also explored, as well as their socio-economic status22. Appendix section 6.3.1 provides further details, including the demographic breakdown of users of each of the individual component networks (Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal towpaths).
Frequency of NWCN use by age
When looking at participants’ age (Figure 16), a clear pattern can be observed, with older respondents (55+) less likely to use a walking and/or cycling path or route (only 68% usage) compared to 35-54 year olds (82%) and 16-34 year olds (93%). Younger respondents also use walking and/or cycling path or routes more frequently than older respondents, with 47% of 16- 34 year olds using them at least once per week, compared to 36% of 35-54 year olds, and only 19% of 55+ year olds.
21 https://www.gov.scot/collections/scottish-index-of-multiple-deprivation-2020/ 22 Please note that the ethnicity of users has not been broken down by frequency of NWCN use due to the very small proportion of the sample identifying as BAME (just 3%). Furthermore, the employment status has also not been explored, as socio-economic status is thought to be a more interesting (and comparable) metric here. Self- reported health is also thought to be less insightful than whether respondents have an activity limiting health problem or disability, and so has not been reported here.
27 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Figure 16 Frequency of NWCN use by age (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=82923)
1% 55+ 7% 8% 17% 13% 19% 32% (N=344) 3%
35-54 5% 5% 14% 12% 20% 11% 14% 18% (N=257)
16-34 14% 10% 11% 12% 18% 10% 18% 7% (N=228) % of respondents Every day 4-6 times per week 2-3 times per week Once a week Once or twice a month Once every 2-3 months Less often I don't use
Frequency of NWCN use by gender
As shown in Figure 17, whilst women were slightly less likely overall to use a walking and/or cycling path or route (78%) than men (81%), there are no real differences in their frequency of use, with 32% of women and 33% of men using walking and/or cycling paths and routes at least once per week.
Figure 17 Frequency of NWCN use by gender (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=82424)
Female (N = 416) 8% 5% 9% 10% 19% 12% 16% 22%
Male (N = 408) 5% 5% 13% 10% 17% 12% 19% 19%
% of respondents
Every day 4-6 times per week 2-3 times per week Once a week Once or twice a month Once every 2-3 months Less often I don't use
23 Please note the number of respondents in each age group who were not aware of the NWCN and are excluded from this chart: 16-34=59; 35-54=63; 55+=49. 24 5 participants indicated ‘other’ for gender and are not included in this analysis. Please also note the number of respondents in each gender category who were not aware of the NWCN and are excluded from this chart: female=116; male=63.
28 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Frequency of NWCN use by respondents’ ability to participate in outdoor recreational and leisure activities
The 2019 public survey also asked people if they had any long-term illness, health problem or disability that limits their ability to participate in outdoor recreational activities (Figure 18). People who responded that their ability to participate in outdoor recreational activities was ‘limited by a lot’ were the least likely to use walking and/or cycling paths and routes (only 66% used), compared with those ‘limited a little’ (77% ) and those with ‘no limitations’ (83%).Under a third of respondents with ‘no limitations’ (31%) used walking and/or cycling paths and routes at least once a week, compared to just over a third of those ‘limited a little’ (36%) and those ‘limited a lot’ (35%).
Figure 18 Frequency of NWCN use by health problem or disability which limits ability to participate in outdoor activities (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=82925)
3%
Limited, a lot 12% 11% 9% 5% 11% 16% 34% (N=101)
3% Limited, a little 6% 13% 14% 18% 10% 13% 23% (N=218)
Not limited 6% 5% 10% 10% 20% 12% 19% 17% (N=510)
% of respondents
Every day 4-6 times a week 2-3 times a week Once a week Once or twice a month Once every 2-3 months Less often I don't use
25 Please note the number of respondents in each response category who were not aware of the NWCN and are excluded from this chart: activities limited a lot = 25; activities limited a little = 45; activities not limited at all = 101.
29 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Frequency of NWCN use by respondents’ Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation
For our analysis of the relative deprivation of the home locations of users we used SIMD quintiles (Figure 19). Quintile 1 represents the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland and quintile 5 the 20% least deprived. Those people living in quintiles 4 and 1 were the most likely to have used walking and/or cycling paths or routes (86% and 80% respectively), whilst those living in quintiles 5, 2 and 3 were less likely to have done so (77%, 75% and 71% respectively).
People living in SIMD quintiles 1 (33%), 2 (32%), 5 (30%) and 4 (29%) were more likely to use a walking and/or cycling path or route at least once per week, compared to those living in quintile 3 (23%) who were the least likely to use the paths and routes at least once per week.
Figure 19 Frequency of NWCN use by SIMD quintile (quintile 1 is most deprived; quintile 5 is least deprived) (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=62326)
Quintle 1 5% 6% 14% 8% 20% 7% 21% 20% (N=133)
Quintle 2 6% 3% 10% 12% 17% 7% 20% 25% (N=126)
Quintile 3 7% 4% 6% 6% 18% 17% 12% 29% (N=113)
Quintile 4 6% 8% 8% 21% 14% 22% 14% (N=114) 7% 4% Quintile 5 12% 13% 16% 12% 18% 23% (N=137)
2% % of respondents
Every day 4-6 times a week 2-3 times a week Once a week Once or twice a month Once every 2-3 months Less often I don't use
Frequency of use by respondents’ socio-economic status
Due to there being 8 socio-economic group categories, the sample sizes in some of these groups is quite small and so all percentages reported here should be treated with caution.
26 206 participants could not be classified according to SIMD and have not been analysed here. Please note the number of respondents in each SIMD quintile who were not aware of the NWCN and are excluded from this chart: quintile 1=36; quintile 2=19; quintile 3=21; quintile 4=27; quintile 5=18.
30 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021 Compared to all other socio-economic groups, respondents classified as retired and living on a state pension (SE8) were least likely to use walking and/or cycling path or routes (58% use), closely followed by those unemployed for 6 months or more, or not working due to long-term sickness (SE7) (65% use). This suggests that those in the lower socio-economic groups are the least likely to use the NWCN. With the exceptions of students (SE6) (who all report using the NWCN) and to a lesser extent those in higher managerial positions (SE1) (86% use), other socio-economic groups’ usage was broadly similar. 80% of those in supervisory or clerical/junior manager/administrator roles use the NWCN (SE3), as do 81% of those working in semi or unskilled manual labour (SE5), 81% in intermediate managerial roles (SE2) and 84% in skilled manual labour (SE4).
Students (SE6) were considerably more likely to use walking and/or cycling paths at least once a week (64%). In comparison, weekly usage was lower among those in higher managerial positions (SE1) (38%), skilled manual workers (SE4) (34%), intermediate managerial workers
(SE2) (33%), supervisory/junior managerial roles (SE3) (32%), semi or unskilled manual labour (SE5) (31%) and those unemployed or not working due to long-term illness (SE7) (31%). Those retired (SE8) were the least likely to use the paths at least once a week (24%).
Figure 20 Frequency of NWCN use by socio-economic status (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=82927) SE1 (N=52) 6% 8% 12% 12% 15% 19% 15% 14%
SE2 (N=184) 4%4% 14% 11% 21% 13% 15% 19%
SE3 (N=211) 5% 6% 10% 11% 19% 14% 16% 20%
SE4 (N=152) 5% 7% 12% 10% 18% 10% 23% 16%
SE5 (N=90) 11% 6% 8% 6% 19% 10% 22% 19%
SE6 (N=14) 29% 7% 7% 21% 21% 7% 7% 1% 9% SE7 (N=71) 11% 10% 10% 7% 17% 35%
SE8 (N=55) 7% 9% 15% 6% 15% 42% 2% 6% % of respondents
Every day 4-6 times a week 2-3 times a week Once a week Once or twice a month Once every 2-3 months Less often I don't use
27 Please note the number of respondents in each socio-economic group who were not aware of the NWCN and are excluded from this chart: SE1=5; SE2=21; SE3=43; SE4=26; SE5=34; SE6=4; SE7=23; SE8=13.
31 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
In summary, younger users (16-34) are more likely have used the NWCN more frequently, with older respondents (55+) less likely to use the network frequently. There is also very little difference in the frequency of use amongst male and female users. Those respondents whose activities were limited a lot were the least likely to use walking and/or cycling paths at all, compared to those whose activities were limited a little or not at all. Those living in quintile 4 were the most likely to have used the NWCN, with those in quintile 3 the least likely. Those living in quintile 3 were also the least likely to use the paths at least once a week, with those in quintiles 1 and 2 (the most deprived) the most likely. Retired and unemployed respondents were also the least likely to use the NWCN, yet there is not much variation in the proportion of respondents in all socio-economic groups who use the NWCN at least once per week (apart from a much higher proportion amongst students, where the sample size is very small).
3.1.2.2 Demographics of NWCN users and changes in their use of the network since 2016
The following section examines the demographics of public survey respondents according to self-reported changes in NWCN use since 201628. The same demographics are explored here as in the preceding section: age, gender, activity-limiting health problem or disability, SIMD and socio-economic status.
Changes in use of the NWCN by age
As shown in Figure 21Figure 21 Changes in use of the NWCN by age (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=637), 58% of 16-34 year olds reported that their use of walking and/or cycling paths and routes had increased since 2016 (27% by a lot and 32% by a little), compared to 53% of 35-54 year olds (23% by a lot and 30% by a little), and 40% of 55+ year olds (16% by a lot and 24% a little). 8% of both 16-34 year olds and 35- 54 year olds reported a reduction in use, lower than the 11% of 55+ year olds who reported a reduction in use.
In addition, 7% of both 16-34 year olds and 55+ year olds, and 3% of 35-54 year olds said they did not use walking and/or cycling paths or routes in 2016 and could be considered new users of the network.
28 As noted in Section 3.1.1.2, respondents who were aware of at least one component of the NWCN but who reported that they “never” used the NWCN in the last 12 months were not asked how their usage of the NWCN had changed since 2016. They are therefore not included in the results for this section. Some of these may have previously used the NWCN and so their 2019 usage will have decreased; however, the percentage of respondents reporting that they “never” used the NWCN in the last 12 months is low overall16. As such, even under the most conservative assumption that all of them were users in 2016 who have decreased their usage to zero in 2019, their inclusion would not change the overall pattern of results reported in this section.
32 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 21 Changes in use of the NWCN by age (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=637)29
16-34 7% 27% 32% 27% 6% 2% (n=202) 3% 35-54 23% 30% 37% 6% 2% (n=205)
55+ (n=230) 7% 16% 24% 42% 7% 4%
% of respondents I did not use walking and cycling routes in 2016 Increased, a lot Increased, a little Not changed Decreased, a little Decreased, a lot
Changes in use of the NWCN by gender
As shown in Figure 22, 51% of women reported that their use of walking and/or cycling paths and routes had increased since 2016 (24% by a lot and 27% by a little), compared to a slightly lower proportion (49%) of men (19% by a lot and 30% by a little). 10% of women reported a fall in use, compared to 9% of men.
In addition, a further 6% of women and 5% of men did not use walking and/or cycling paths or routes in 2016 and could be considered new users of the network.
29 5% of 16-34 year olds, 3% of 35-54 year olds and 1% of those aged 55+ were unsure if their usage had changed since 2016 and were excluded from this analysis.
33 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 22 Change in use of the NWCN by gender (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=633)30
Female 6% 24% 27% 33% 7% 3% (n=316)
Male 5% 19% 30% 37% 6% 3% (n=317)
% of respondents
I did not use walking and cycling routes in 2016 Increased, a lot Increased, a little Not changed Decreased, a little Decreased, a lot
Changes in use of the NWCN by respondents’ ability to participate in outdoor recreational and leisure activities
As shown in Figure 23, 51% of people surveyed who indicated their ability to participate in outdoor recreational and leisure activities was ‘not limited’ stated their use of walking and/or cycling paths and routes had increased since 2016 (23% by a lot and 28% by a little), compared to 48% of participants whose abilities were ‘limited a little’ (16% by a lot and 32% by a little), and 47% of those participants whose ability was ‘limited a lot’ (25% by a lot and 22% by a little).
17% of participants whose ability was ‘limited a lot’ reported a reduction in use, compared to 12% of participants ‘limited a little’ and only 7% whose ability was ‘not limited’.
In addition, 6% of both participants whose ability were ‘not limited’, or ‘limited a lot’, and 5% of participants who were ‘limited a little’ in their ability to participate in outdoor activities indicated they did not use walking and/or cycling paths or routes in 2016 and could be considered new users of the network.
30 2% of female respondents and 4% of male respondents were unsure if their usage had changed since 2016 and were excluded from this analysis. 4 respondents also identified their gender as other and were not analysed here.
34 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 23 Change in use of the NWCN by respondents’ ability to participate in outdoor recreation and leisure (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=47431)
No, not limited at all 6% 23% 28% 37% 5% 2% (n=408) Yes, limited a little 5% 16% 32% 35% 9% 2% (n=165)
Yes, limited 6% 25% 22% 30% 6% 11% a lot (n=64)
% of respondents
I did not use walking and cycling routes in 2016 Increased, a lot Increased, a little Not changed Decreased, a little Decreased, a lot
Changes in use of the NWCN by respondents’ Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation
Figure 24 shows the change in use of the NWCN since 2016, broken down by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation for respondents’ home postcodes. Here there is a greater proportion of respondents living in quintile 2 whose usage has increased since 2016 (52%), compared to those living in all other quintiles (49% in quintile 4, 47% in quintile 1, and 46% in quintiles 3 and 5), albeit only by a small amount. Those in quintile 5 have a larger proportion of respondents who have decreased their use since 2016 (14%) compared to all other quintiles (10% in quintile 1, 7% in quintile 4, 6% in quintile 3, and 5% in quintile 2).
In addition, as many as 9% of quintile 3 respondents said they did not use the routes in 2016, as did 7% in quintile 5, and 5% in quintiles in 1, 2 and 4. Such respondents could be considered new users of the network.
31 3% of respondents whose activities were not limited were unsure if their usage had changed, as did 2% of those whose activities were limited a little and 4% of those whose activities were limited a lot. These respondents were not included in this analysis.
35 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 24 Change in use of NWCN by SIMD quintile (quintile 1 is most deprived; quintile 5 is least deprived) (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths (2019 public survey, N=42732)
Quintile 1 5% 24% 23% 38% 8% 3% (N=100) Quintile 2 5% 18% 34% 37% 3% 2% (N=89) Quintile 3 9% 20% 25% 39% 4% 3% (N=72) Quintile 4 5% 26% 23% 39% 5% 2% (N=91) Quintile 5 7% 21% 25% 33% 9% 5% (N=93)
% of respondents I did not use walking and cycling routes in 2016 Increased, a lot Increased, a little Not changed Decreased, a little Decreased, a lot
Changes in use of the NWCN by respondents’ socio-economic status
Due to there being 8 socio-economic group categories, the sample sizes in some of these groups is quite small and so all percentages reported here should be treated with caution.
Figure 25 shows the change in use of the NWCN by respondents’ socio-economic status33. Although the student category (SE6) would look to show the most significant proportion of respondents who have increased their use of the NWCN since 2016, just 14 people gave responses here and should not be considered a robust sample. Looking beyond the student sample, 53% of respondents who are in supervisory/junior managerial roles (SE3) and 53% of skilled manual workers (SE4) have increased their NWCN use over the last 4 years. Marginally smaller proportions in higher managerial positions (SE1) (51%) and those who are retired (SE8) (48%) have increased their use, as have 47% of those in intermediate managerial roles (SE2), 45% of those in semi or unskilled manual work (SE5) and 43% of those who are unemployed.
29% of SE6 respondents (students), 8% of SE2, 7% of SE4, 6% of SE7, 5% of SE8, 3% of SE3 and 2% of SE5 did not use the routes in 2016 and could be considered new users of the network34.
32 26% of respondents could not be classified into SIMD quintiles and were not analysed here. 1% of SIMD 1 respondents, 1% of SIMD 2, 1% of SIMD 3, 2% of SIMD 4 and 5% of SIMD 5 were unsure if their usage had changed since 2016 and were also not analysed.
34 The high proportion of student respondents here is likely reflective of their younger age, meaning they were less likely to use the network in 2016.
36 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 25 Change in use of NWCN by socio-economic status (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=63735)
SE1 (N=43) 26% 26% 40% 7% 2%
SE2 (N=146) 8% 18% 28% 38% 8% 0%
SE3 (N=168) 3% 21% 32% 29% 7% 5%
SE4 (N=124) 7% 23% 30% 37% 5% 2%
SE5 (N=71) 2% 20% 25% 39% 6% 3%
SE6 (N=14) 29% 36% 21% 14%
SE7 (N=40) 6% 18% 25% 38% 10% 5%
SE8 (N=31) 5% 29% 19% 45% 3%
% of respondents
I did not use walking and cycling routes in 2016 Increased, a lot
Increased, a little Not changed
Decreased, a little Decreased, a lot
In summary, the data appear to show changes in use of Scottish walking and/or cycling paths and routes between 2016 and 2019. These mostly involve existing path and route users increasing their frequency of use, rather than new users starting to use walking and cycling paths and routes. Only 6% of current users were not using the NWCN in 2016. 16-34 and 35- 54 year olds were considerably more likely to have increased their use, compared to those aged 55+. Women were also more likely to have increased their use than men. Those whose activities were not limited by a long-term disability or health problem were also more likely to report an increase in use than those whose activities were limited a little or a lot.
35 4% of SE1 respondents, 3% of SE2, 1% of SE3, 3% of SE4, 3% of SE5, 13% of SE7 and 3% of SE8 were unsure if their usage had changed since 2016 and were also not analysed. No students (SE6) were unsure if their usage had changed.
37 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
3.1.3 Increased purposeful walking and cycling trips on the NWCN
Figure 26 below shows the journey purpose of all users interviewed on the NWCN. 87% of all users were travelling for leisure purposes. 7% were commuting, and 6% travelling for other purposeful reasons such as shopping, personal business and visiting friends or family.
Figure 26 Journey purpose on the NWCN (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,167)
6% 7%
Commuting
Leisure
Other purposeful
87%
87% of users surveyed on the NWCN were travelling for leisure purposes.
We asked all route user survey respondents if they had used the route to access various amenities (Figure 27). People could tick as many types of amenity as were relevant, and therefore percentages do not sum to 100%. One third indicated they used the NWCN to access tourist/visitor attractions (33%). 16% of people had used it to visit friends/family and 16% to visit shops. 15% also used the NWCN to access their place of work. 19% of respondents responded with ‘other’.
38 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 27 Have you used this route to access any of the following? Please tick all that apply (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
Other 19%
Tourist/visitor attraction 33%
Family or friends 16%
Transport (e.g. train station, bus station etc) 5%
Other public service 6%
Health services 3%
Retail 16%
Education 3%
Workplace 15%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% % of respondents
Respondents to the public survey were asked to state their main reasons for using the routes. As shown in Figure 28, walking for leisure (65%), to relax and unwind (56%), to enjoy scenery (56%) and for health and exercise (56%) were the main reasons given. Nearly a third also stated they were dog walking (30%), a quarter were cycling for leisure (24%) or walking for non-leisure purposes (24%), and 17% to socialise with others.
39 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 28 The main reasons for using walking and cycling paths in Scotland (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=657)
Walking leisure 65% Walking non-leisure 24% Dog walking 30% Cycling leisure 24% Cycling non-leisure 9% Horse riding 1%
Access rowing/boating 2% Health & exercise 56% Enjoy scenery 56% Relax and unwind 57% Socialise with others 17%
0 20 40 60 80 100 % of respondents
These results highlight the wide range of benefits that the NWCN network provides.
40 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
3.1.4 Increased tourism visitor numbers over time
Figure 26 has already shown that as many as 87% of all route users surveyed were on a leisure trip, illustrating the NWCN’s role in attracting recreational use. We collected data that enabled us to analyse the nature of these leisure trips on the network in more detail. As shown in Figure 29, most leisure users (71%) indicated that they were on a short recreational trip – 36% were on a short, out and back (along the same route) recreational trip, with a further 35% on a short, circular recreational trip. However, 19% of recreational users were on a longer day trip (of more than 3 hours in duration), whilst 10% of recreational users were on a cycle/walking holiday.
Figure 29 How would you describe your cycle/walking trip today? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1018)
8% 2% Short, circular recreational trip (less than 3 hours) 35% 19% Short, out and back recreational trip (less than 3 hours)
Day ride/walk (a trip of more than 3 hours duration)
Part of a cycle/walking holiday staying at one location
36% Part of a cycle/walking holiday - staying at multiple locations
Figure 30 shows whether these recreational trips were starting from home or from holiday accommodation. Here nearly two-thirds (61%) of recreational users were travelling from home.
35% of recreational users were travelling from holiday accommodation. The median number of nights they were staying was 5.
41 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 30 Did you start your trip today from holiday or home accommodation? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1017)
4%
35%
Home
Holiday base
Other 61%
3.1.5 Feedback from NWCN beneficiaries that expresses positive sentiments
All route user survey respondents were asked how likely it is that they would recommend the route to a friend (Figure 31). We used the aggregate data using the Net Promoter Score methodology36, where respondents are asked to rate their response from 0 (very unlikely) to 10 (very likely). 58% of respondents responded with a 10, and a further 13% with 9. These 71% of respondents are considered route ‘promoters’. Just 8% of respondents are considered detractors (those who give a score of 0 to 6). An overall Net Promoter Score of (+64) is then calculated by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters (with possible overall scores ranging from -100 to +100).
Taken together, an overall Net Promoter Score of +64 has been given for the NWCN.
36 https://www.netpromoter.com/know/
42 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 31 How likely is it that you would recommend this route to a friend? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
70% 58% 60%
50%
40%
30%
15%
20% 13% % of % respondents 6% 10% 3% 4% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
All route users were asked to indicate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed that certain factors were an influence on their decision to use the route (Figure 32). 97% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they used the NWCN because they liked the surroundings on the route; 94% to get exercise; 94% because it improves their wellbeing; and 92% to appreciate nature. 88% of route users also agreed they felt safe on the route and 79% that it provided the most convenient route for them. 64% of all route users agreed or strongly agreed that feeling concerned about the environment was a reason for them using the route. 64% and 60% also agreed that the route allowed them to go straight to their destination, and that it was the best transport option for them. Although ranking last as a motivating factor, 35% agreed that they saved money by using the route.
43 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 32 To what extent have the following factors influenced your decision to use this route today? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1167-1168)
To appreciate nature 69% 23% 8% 3% This route feels safe 63% 25% 8%
It improves my wellbeing 72% 23% 5%
I have environmental concerns 37% 27% 28% 7% 5% To get exercise 74% 20% 2% I like the surroundings on this route 77% 20%
I save money by using this route 20% 15% 44% 18% 4% This is the most convenient route 45% 34% 16% 6% It's the best transport option 33% 27% 33% 8% I can go straight to my destination 36% 28% 28%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% of respondents
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
The 2019 public survey asked all respondents who were aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and who had used walking and/or cycling paths in the last 12 months about the benefits of using the NWCN (Figure 33).
Here 92% of respondents indicated that their use of walking and/or cycling paths and routes had allowed them to relax and unwind, 47% by a lot and 44% a little. 89% of respondents also indicated their use of the network had allowed them to spend more time outdoors, 47% by a lot and 42% by a little, and 64% indicated their use of the network had allowed them to increase their social activity, 24% by a lot and 40% by a little.
44 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 33 Has the use of walking and cycling paths and routes helped you to do the following (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=657)
Spend more time outdoors 47% 42% 11%
Increase social activity 24% 40% 36%
Relax and unwind 47% 44% 8%
% of respondents
Yes, by a lot Yes, by a little No
Respondents to the public survey who were users of walking and/ or cycling paths and routes were asked to rate various aspects of the paths and routes they had used. As shown in Figure 34, scenery and landscapes was the aspect respondents rated most positively, with nearly two thirds rating it as excellent (26%) or very good (38%), and a further third rating it as good (29%) or fair (5%).
Ease of access was also highly rated, with nearly half of all respondents rating this aspect as excellent or very good (47%) and over half as good or fair (51%). The quality of paths was also rated as excellent or very good by 45%, and by 53% as good or fair.
In comparison, the quality of signposting and safety of routes were rated less positively, with 37% rating the former as excellent or very good (and 59% as good or fair) and 45% the latter as excellent or very good (and 53% as good or fair). Access to amenities attracted the lowest ratings (26% rated this aspect as excellent or very good, and 61% as good or fair).
With the exception of access to amenities (which 13% rated as poor), 4% or fewer respondents rated any other aspects as poor, indicating a strong level of satisfaction among members of the public with the overall quality and features of Scottish walking and/or cycling paths and routes.
45 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 34 Rating of individual aspects of walking and cycling paths used (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public Survey (N=657)
Scenery & Landscapes 26% 38% 29% 5% 1%
Access to amenities 6% 20% 33% 28% 13%
Ease of access 14% 33% 39% 12% 2%
Safety of route 12% 33% 39% 14% 2%
Quality of path 11% 34% 39% 14% 2%
Quality of signage 9% 28% 40% 19% 4%
% of respondents
Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
Figure 9 has already shown how public survey respondents’ use of walking and cycling paths and routes in Scotland has changed over the last 4 years. For those respondents who indicated that their use had increased, we can also explore the factors that have played a part in this. As shown in Figure 35, nearly half of public survey respondents (46%) cited personal reasons, such as changes in health, retirement or moving residence, to explain their increased use.
A number of other factors more directly related to the quality and characteristics of walking and/or cycling paths and routes were also identified as factors behind increases in use. This includes changes in the following: route surface (mentioned by 20% of respondents), general safety (non-traffic related) (18%), the amenities provided (e.g. toilets, cafes, shops) (16%), route direction/or new routes being built (16%), route maintenance (e.g. signage, vegetation, or litter) (15%), and accessibility (e.g. barriers or steps added or removed) (13%), amongst others.
46 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 35 Which of the following, if any, have influenced you to use these paths and routes more often? (Results filtered for those users who indicated an increase in use since 2016) (2019 public survey, N=317)
Personal reasons changed 46% Changes in routes' general atmosphere 10% Non-traffic safety changes 18% Traffic-related safety changes 8% Changes in amenities 16% Changes in route surroundings 9% Changes in interactions with other users 7% Changes in accessibility 13% Changed route direction/ new routes 16% Maintenance changes 15% Changes in route surface 20% Other 7% Don’t know 12%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
% of respondents
47 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
3.2 Strengthen local economies
3.2.1 Positive feedback from local businesses on/near the NWCN
This section sets out the evidence of feedback from local businesses operating on or near the NWCN concerning their awareness of the NWCN, and the impact of the network on their business revenue, customer base and how they promote their businesses.
In order to explore the relationship between the NWCN and business activity and performance, business respondents were initially asked to indicate their awareness of the NWCN. As shown in Figure 36, 87% of business survey respondents were aware of the NWCN, 12% were not aware, and only 1% not sure. Table 6 in the appendix also shows the proportion of business owners who were aware of various different NWCN component paths.
Figure 36 Awareness of the NWCN among local businesses (2019 business survey, N=100)
1% 12%
Yes
No
Unsure
87%
3.2.1.1 Perceived benefits of the NWCN among the business community When asked (in an open-ended question) how they expected the development of the NWCN to affect their business, nearly three fifths (59%) of businesses indicated an expected increase in customers. Increased revenue was also cited by 13% of businesses, followed by an extended season (mentioned by 7%), with all other aspects mentioned by less than 5% of businesses. Over a quarter of respondents indicated that they thought the development of the NWCN would have no impact on their business. Results are shown in Figure 37.
48 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 37 Expected impact of the development of the NWCN on business expectations (2019 business survey, N=100)
Business growth 3%
Increased customer/footfall 59%
Extended season 7%
Increased revenue 13%
Broaden customer base 4%
None/make no difference 27%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
% of businesses
3.2.1.2 How businesses use the NWCN to promote their businesses To understand how the NWCN influences the way in which local businesses promote themselves, business respondents were asked to indicate what role, if any, local walking and cycling paths played in their marketing activities.
61% of businesses reported referencing their proximity to the NWCN in their business marketing activities, primarily through their own (33%) or another website (12%), via social media (10%), their own information packs (6%) or leaflets (4%), by other means (12%) or by word of mouth (2%).
“The John Muir Way. Through their website. I'm also featured heavily on the official website, the John Muir Way website, a lot of referral links from them. Also B&Bs and accommodation on the route recommend me to clients.”
49 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
“It is part of our marketing. We obviously market we are right on the route on the Great Glen Way. It's on our website and also on Booking.com.”
“They play a massive part where we are because we're just a small park. A lot of people come here just to go
walking. We're a dog friendly park as well, we encourage a lot of dog walkers to use that route. We
have maps here. National park maps marking out the routes”.
“We were just talking about that today. Not at the moment but it is something we are wanting to start pushing”.
Figure 38 What role, if any, do local walking and cycling routes currently have in your business, marketing activities? (2019 business survey, N=100)
On own website 33%
On other website 12%
By word of mouth 2%
In own leaflets 4%
Via Social media 10%
Via Guest info pack 6%
Using other means 12%
None of these 39%
0 10 20 30 40 50
% of businesses
50 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
3.2.2 Reports of increased business revenue from local businesses on/near the NWCN
The following section sets out the evidence on the relationship between the NWCN and business activity. This includes a review of businesses’ current revenue, their customer base, and the benefits of the NWCN to business owners.
3.2.2.1 Current business revenue Figure 39 shows that businesses on or near the NWCN have a range of income levels - 59% of businesses were small, with a revenue of £200,000 or lower, and 18% larger, with revenues of over £200,000.
Figure 39 Business income for the financial year April 2017 - March 2018 (2019 business Survey, N=100)
0-£4,999 14% £5,000-£9,999 1% £10,000-£24,999 10% £25,000-£49,999 12% £50,000-£74,999 9% £75,000-£99,999 3% £100,000-£149,000 7% £150,000-£199,000 3% £200,000-£390,000 5% £400,000-£749,000 7% £750,000-£999,000 2% £1,000,000+ 4% Prefer not to say 23%
0 5 10 15 20 25
% of businesses
3.2.2.2 The importance of the NWCN on local businesses’ customer base Figure 40 shows that users of local walking and cycling routes make an important contribution to the overall customer base of businesses local to the network. The majority of the businesses surveyed (87%) indicated that their customer base included users of local walking and cycling routes, with nearly one third of them (30%) indicating that 50% or more of their customer base included users of local and walking cycling routes.
51 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 40 What percentage of your customers do you think are using local walking and cycling paths and routes? (2019 business survey, N=100)
None 13% <10% 2% 10% 26% 20% 14% 30% 10% 40% 5% 50% 6% 60% 4% 70% 7% 80% 6% 90% 3% 100% 4%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 % of businesses
3.2.2.3 Profile of businesses customer base We asked business owners to describe their typical customer base. As seen in Figure 41, both visitors from Scotland (86%) and international visitors (85%) were cited the most. 77% of businesses also cited leisure walkers, 68% out-of-town weekend visitors, and 68% non- Scottish UK visitors. 65% also cited out of town long stayers and 60% leisure cyclists. A smaller proportion of businesses mentioned out of town day trippers (40%) and local residents (38%).
52 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 41 How would you describe your typical customer base? (2019 business survey, N=100)
Local residents 38% Out of town weekend visitors 68% Visitors from Scotland 86% Leisure cyclists 60% Out of town day trippers 40% UK visitors (not Scottish) 68% Leisure walkers 77% Out of town long stayers 65% International visitors 85% Other 14%
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of businesses
3.2.2.4 How businesses have befitted from the NWCN We asked business owners to indicate the ways in which their business had benefitted from the NWCN over the last few years (Figure 42). Over half indicated increased revenue (55%), and just over a quarter (26%) an increased spend per customer. Similarly large percentages of businesses reported an increase in customer numbers (59%) and leisure walkers (59%), and over half an increase in leisure cyclists (52%).
53 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 42 In which of the following ways would you say your business has benefitted from the NWCN over the last few years? (2019 business survey, N=100)
More customers 59%
Increased revenue 55%
Increased leisure cyclists 52%
Increased leisure walkers 59%
Increased spend per customer 26%
More people enquiring/browsing 47%
None of these 30%
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of businesses
59% of businesses told us that the NWCN has helped them benefit from increased customer footfall.
3.2.3 Evidence of monetised benefits from usage of the NWCN
It is possible to give a monetary estimate of the value of the benefits of the NWCN in 2019 using the Department for Transport’s Active Mode Appraisal Toolkit (AMAT). The toolkit draws on guidance set out in Transport Appraisal Guidance (TAG) unit A5.137 (adapted to the Scottish context38). Default TAG assumptions were used as inputs to the model, except where specific data relating to the NWCN were available. These included: daily walking and cycling trip figures for the NWCN (as derived from the WNUE figures), average trip lengths, the proportion of walkers and cyclists who are employed and the proportion who would have otherwise used a car. Table 3 below sets out the benefit areas appraised within the guidance and the benefit values associated with them.
37 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tag-unit-a5-1-active-mode-appraisal 38 Scottish guidance suggests no benefits to congestion, noise or journey ambience should be estimated.
54 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Table 3 The monetised benefits of walking and cycling (and the replacement of car trips) on the NWCN, using DfT’s Active Mode Appraisal Toolkit
Benefit area Description Benefit
Infrastructure The fewer car trips being made due to £22,000 maintenance active travel reduces the strain on the road network and therefore reduces the need for regular road maintenance.
Accident By reducing the number of car trips £430,000 being made on the road (due to the replacement of car trips with active travel), road safety is improved.
Local air quality The fewer car kilometres being travelled £140,000 on the roads, the lower the emission of pollutants into the air.
Greenhouse gases The fewer car kilometres being travelled £180,000 on the roads, the lower the emission of greenhouse gases into the air too.
Reduced risk of Reduced risk of premature death – the £91.3 million premature death greater the level of active travel being made, the greater the physical activity benefits are to health.
Absenteeism Absenteeism in the workplace is £16.9 million improved as a result of more trips being made actively, as opposed to in a car.
Indirect taxation This is a disbenefit. The fewer car trips (-)£810,000 being made due to active travel, the lower the revenue generated from road taxes and fuel duty.
Total £108.1 million
55 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
In total, the monetised benefits of walking and cycling on the NWCN (including the associated reduction in car travel) in 2019 are estimated at £108.1 million.
The largest monetised benefits come from the improvements made to users’ health, resulting in reduced risk of premature death and improved workplace absenteeism.
3.2.4 Evidence of tourism-related contributions to the economy from use of the NWCN
We used Sustrans’ leisure walking and cycling expenditure models to estimate the total annual spend made by recreational walkers and cyclists on the NWCN in 2019. Both models build on expenditure data collected from historic route user surveys across the UK. Inputs to the models included data on trip numbers (the total number of trips being made on the network) as well as data obtained from the route user surveys: the proportion of trips being made for recreational purposes, the proportion of recreational trips originating from home or holiday accommodation, the type of recreational trip being made (i.e. short day trips under 3 hours, longer day trips or holiday trips) and whether users are travelling in a group or not.
Table 4 below shows the total spend by recreational cyclists on the NWCN in 2019, broken down by sector. About £270 million was spent by recreational cyclists on the NWCN in 2019 (with an estimated spend per head per trip of £8.50). Approximately £81 million was spent by home based cyclists (£3.85 per head per trip), and a further £189 million from holiday based cyclists (£20.34 per head per trip). In total, we estimate this scale of spend supports approximately 6,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
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Table 4 Estimated annual spend by recreational cyclists on the NWCN in 2019
Home-based Holiday-based Total
Accommodation £0 £86.9 million £86.9 million
Food and drink £59.7 million £79.3 million £139.1 million
Retail £1.6 million £3.8 million £5.4 million
Car costs £9.7 million £3.8 million £13.5 million
Cycle costs £2.4 million £3.8 million £6.2 million
Public transport £2.4 million £5.7 million £8.1 million
Other £4.8 million £5.7 million £10.5 million
Total £80.7 million £188.9 million £269.6 million
We estimate that leisure walkers on the NWCN spent approximately £1.6 billion in the local economy in 2019 (with an estimated spend per head per trip of £36.76). Approximately £196 million was spent by home-based recreational walkers (£3.62 per her head trip), and a further £1.4 billion was spent by holiday walkers (£36.76 per head per trip). The breakdown of this spend across the various sectors is show in the table below. In total, this spend is estimated as directly supporting approximately 21,500 FTE jobs.
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Table 5 Estimated annual spend by recreational walkers on the NWCN in 2019
Home-based Holiday-based Total
Accommodation £0 £630.0 million £630.0 million
Food and drink £145.0 million £575.2 million £720.2 million
Retail £3.9 million £27.4 million £31.3 million
Car costs £23.5 million £27.4 million £50.9 million
Cycle costs £5.9 million £27.4 million £33.3 million
Public transport £5.9 million £41.1 million £47.0 million
Other £11.8 million £41.1 million £52.8 million
Total £196.0 million £1.4 billion £1.6 billion
We estimate that recreational walkers and cyclists on the NWCN spent £1.9 billion in the local economy in 2019.
This compares to an estimated £2.6 billion of expenditure from all outdoor recreational trips in Scotland in 201239. Visit Scotland’s 2018 study into tourism in Scotland40 estimated approximately £10.6 billion of expenditure from all overnight tourism and day trips in the country (as a whole) in 2018. This suggests the NWCN is a significant contributor to overall tourism spend in Scotland.
39 https://www.nature.scot/naturescot-commissioned-report-604-scottish-recreation-survey-annual-summary-report- 2012 40 https://www.visitscotland.org/binaries/content/assets/dot-org/pdf/research-papers-2/key-facts-on-tourism-in- scotland-2018-v2.pdf
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3.3 Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices
3.3.1 Reported increases in physical activity and attainment of recommended weekly physical activity levels
84% of route user survey respondents told us the NWCN had helped them increase their levels of physical activity – 42% by a large amount, and 42% by a small amount (Figure 43). Just 16% of respondents said that the NWCN has not helped them to increase their physical activity levels.
Figure 43 Has the presence of this route allowed you to increase the amount of physical activity that you regularly take? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1165)
16%
42%
Yes, by a large amount
Yes, by a small amount
42% No
84% of route users indicated that the NWCN had helped them to increase their physical activity.
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Of those public survey participants who had used walking and/or cycling paths and routes, 89% also indicated that their use of walking and cycling paths and routes had helped them increase their levels of physical activity, 42% by a lot, and 47% by a small amount.
Figure 44 Has the use of walking and/or cycling paths helped increase levels of physical activity (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=657)
11%
42% Yes, by a lot
Yes, by a little
No
47%
According to the UK chief medical officer’s guidance41, it is recommended that (as well as undertaking activities which develop or maintain strength in the major muscle groups, and reducing time spent being sedentary), adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week (or shorter periods of more intense physical activity). We explored the accumulation of moderate intensity physical activity in the route user surveys, with all respondents asked for the number of days in the previous week on which they have completed at least 30 minutes of exercise (which was enough to raise their breathing rate).
As shown in Figure 45, 64% of route users interviewed went on to say that they had completed at least 30 minutes of physical activity (enough to raise their breathing rate) on at least 5 of the past 7 days (i.e. a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity in the last week). The proportion of respondents achieving the chief medical officer’s recommended levels may be higher still, as some may be achieving the recommend 150 minutes or more of moderate exercise across fewer days in the previous week.
41 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832868/uk- chief-medical-officers-physical-activity-guidelines.pdf
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Figure 45 In the past week, on how many days have you completed at least 30 minutes or more physical activity that was enough to raise your breathing rate? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,154)
50% 41% 40%
30%
20% 17% 11% 11% 10% 7% 6% 3% 4% % of % respondents 0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The same question was asked in the 2019 public survey, allowing us to compare the physical activity levels of survey respondents who reported using the NWCN with those who said they didn’t use the network (Figure 46)42. Here it is clear that people not using the NWCN are not achieving the physical activity levels of NWCN users. As many as 36% of non-NWCN users are not completing 30 minutes of physical activity on any days, compared to just 9% in the public survey and 3% from the user surveys. 30% of NWCN users also achieve 30 minutes of activity on at least 5 days in a week, compared to a smaller 20% of non-NWCN users.
42 The physical activity levels of network users surveyed in the public survey are much lower than the users of the network we surveyed on the routes (just 30% completing 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 days or more, compared to 64% in the user surveys). This difference may be due to a bias in the sampling in a RUIS survey. By being conducted on a route, it might be the case that fieldworkers are more likely to encounter frequent users who will therefore be achieving more exercise on the NWCN. This may be different to those who responded to an online public survey. These results should therefore be treated with caution.
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Figure 46 In the past week, on how many days have you completed at least 30 minutes or more physical activity? (Results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey; users N=657; non-users N=172)
40% 36% 35% 30% 25% 22% 20% 17% 15% 14% 15% 12% 13% 11% 11% 11% 9% 9% 9% 10% 5% 5% % of % respondents 5% 4% 0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NWCN users Non-users
All public survey respondents who have used the NWCN (and were aware of at least one of its component networks) were asked if they would still have been able to achieve their level of physical activity if they had been unable to access their local walking and cycling paths (Figure 47). Here 16% of respondents responded with ‘no’, indicating that the NWCN is essential to the physical activity they achieve. A further 12% of respondents were not sure, whilst 72% indicated that they would get their physical activity another way.
Figure 47 If you had been unable to access your local walking and cycling paths and routes, would you still have been able to do this amount of physical activity? (Results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=657)
16%
No 12% Not sure
Yes
72%
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But to what extent can the NWCN be considered a motivating factor for respondents increasing their levels of physical activity? The vast majority of route user survey respondents agreed that exercise was a motivating factor for using the NWCN (94%). In fact, nearly three quarters of all respondents were in strong agreement (74%), with a further 20% in agreement. Just 5% responded with ‘neutral’ and 1% disagreed. Exercise is therefore a clear motivating factor for using the NWCN.
Figure 48 To what extent has the following factor influenced your decision to use this route today: to get exercise? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
1% 5%
20% Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 74%
The link between physical activity and wellbeing is well established. We explored the impact of the NWCN on wellbeing in our route user surveys. Respondents were asked if their wellbeing had changed as a result of using the NWCN. 75% indicated that their wellbeing had improved as a result of using the route (Figure 49). Just 25% told us that there was no change. Only 2 respondents (less than 0.5%) indicated that their wellbeing had declined. Figure 26 showed that 13% of trips are being made for non-leisure purposes, and therefore even functional trips being made actively on the NWCN are improving users’ wellbeing.
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Figure 49 As a result of using this route, has your wellbeing changed? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,164)
25%
Wellbeing has improved
No change
Wellbeing has declined
75%
75% of route users said that using the
NWCN has improved their wellbeing.
Respondents were also asked about the extent to which they agreed that improving their wellbeing was a motivating factor for using the NWCN. Here Figure 50 shows that 72% of respondents strongly agreed that their decision to use the route was because it improves their wellbeing, with a further 23% agreeing. Just 1% disagreed.
64 SUSR1869 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network 11/02/2021
Figure 50 To what extent has the following factor influenced your decision to use this route today: it improves my wellbeing? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,167)
5% 1%
Strongly agree 23% Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
72%
93% of route users told us the NWCN also improved their overall satisfaction with life (Figure 51).
Figure 51 Does your use of this route improve your overall satisfaction with life? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,164)
7%
Yes
No
93%
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3.3.2 Reported increase in active travel (evidence of new and/or increased walking and cycling activity on the NWCN)
The aggregated route user surveys can give us insights into whether other modes of travel are being used alongside the active modes being used on the NWCN, or whether walking and cycling trips are being used to replace trips which would have otherwise been made by other, less sustainable modes.
All route users surveyed were asked if any other mode of transport was used as part of their journey on the NWCN (Figure 52), other than the active mode they were using when surveyed. Positively, two thirds of all users interviewed indicated that they were just travelling by the principal (active travel) mode recorded at the time of the interview. Only a quarter (26%) were also using a car or van as part of their journey, with 4% also using a bus, 1% a train and 1% a ferry. For the vast majority of respondents, the entirety of their trips on the NWCN were being made actively. This would suggest that the NWCN is accessible for many on foot and by bike, without other modes being required to first access the network.
Figure 52 Any other transport modes used as part of journey (%) (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
26% Car/van Train Bus Taxi 1% Jogging 4% Horse riding Ferry 67% None, just the bike or walking 1%
This conclusion is supported by results to the public survey too. Here all respondents who used Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths were asked how they generally travel to these routes. This time respondents could tick multiple options. Here as many as 63% said they travel by foot and 21% by cycle, thereby reasserting the conclusion that the NWCN is accessed by active travel modes for most users. Public transport is also used by many, with 17% indicating that they travel to their walking and cycling paths by bus and 8% by train or tram. However, as many as 43% also use their car to access their routes, although it is not clear how far users are having to travel by this mode to access the routes they use.
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Figure 53 How do you generally travel to the walking and cycling paths and routes that you use? (Results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=655)
Horseback 2%
Motorcycle 1%
Train/tram 8% Public bus 17%
Car/Van 43%
Cycle 21%
Walk 63%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
% of respondents
We asked all respondents from the route user surveys who had travelled by another mode (n=382) how far they had travelled by that mode to enable them to make their trip (Figure 54). Most people were travelling more than 20 miles with their other mode to make their trip on the NWCN. Just a quarter were travelling 5 miles and under, and 34% between 6 and 20 miles.
Figure 54 How far have you travelled by these modes to enable you to make this journey? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=382)
2% 7%
16% Under 1 mile 41% 1-2 miles 3-5 miles 6-10 miles 11-15 miles
16% 16-20 miles 20+ miles
7% 11%
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Those respondents who did not use a car for part of their trip, were asked if a car was an available option for them (N=871) (Figure 55). For 75% of these, a car/van could not have been used because recreation by foot or cycle was the main purpose for their trip, and for 11%, it simply wasn’t an available option for them. However, for 14% of respondents, a car could have been used but they made a decision not to.
Figure 55 If you have not used a car, could you have used a car for part of your trip? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=871)
14%
Yes, could have used a car but chose not to 11% No, car was not an available option
No, recreation is the main purpose of this trip
75%
Given the nature of the NWCN, most active travel trips being made on the network are for recreational reasons, which could not have otherwise been made by car. However, given the large number of trips overall being made on the NWCN, this still results in a considerable number of car trips being taken off the road.
In 2019, walking and cycling on the NWCN took approximately 19.5 million car trips off the road, estimated as saving 7.1 million kg of 43 CO2e .
43 As estimated through the Active Mode Appraisal Toolkit – see section 0.
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We asked route users what the main motivating factor was which drove their decision not to use a car (N=121). For more than half the health benefits were the main motivating factor (53%), whilst for 17% it was their concern for the environment. For a further 14% it was the cost of fuel and/or running a car (Figure 56).
Figure 56 If you selected could have used a car but chose not to, which of the following factors influenced your decision (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=121).
16%
Health benefits 14% Environmental concerns
Cost of fuel and or running a car 53% Other
17%
We asked all respondents to the route user surveys if they would have needed to make their journey to their given destination (or wanted to make a journey for the same purpose) if the route they were on was unavailable to them (Figure 57). 32% of respondents gave an answer of ‘no’, indicating that one third of active travel trips on the NWCN were being made (that wouldn’t have been made otherwise) specifically due to the presence of the route network. Two thirds of users (66%) answered ‘yes’, suggesting their trip would have been made elsewhere, had the NWCN not been available to them.
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Figure 57 If you had been unable to access this route, would you still have needed to make this journey to your given destination/wanted to make a journey for this particular purpose? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
2%
32%
Yes
No
Don't Know
66%
All cyclist respondents to our RUIS were asked to indicate how experienced a cyclist they were (Figure 58). Nearly three quarters of all cyclist respondents indicated that they were an experienced, regular cyclist (74%). 14% indicated that they were an experienced but occasional cyclist. Just 3% of respondents were starting to cycle again (n=10), and just 1 person was completely new to cycling.
Figure 58 What type of cyclist would you say you were? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=356)
3% 9%
New to cycling
14% Starting to cycle again Occasional cyclist
Experienced, occasional cyclist 74% Experienced, regular cyclist
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74% of cyclists on the NWCN are experienced, regular cyclists.
Nearly half (48%) of all the people we surveyed in the public survey indicated that their use of paths and routes had increased since 2016, 21% by a lot and 27% by a little. Just over a third (34%) reported no change and only 9% reported a reduction (6% reported a little reduction and 3% a lot).
3.3.3 Reduction in perception of level of risk as a barrier to active travel
88% of survey respondents were in agreement that feeling safe on the route was a motivating factor for using it (Figure 59).
Figure 59 To what extent has the following factor influenced your decision to use this route today: it feels safe? (Route User Intercept Surveys, N=1,168)
3% 1% 8%
Strongly agree Agree 25% Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 63%
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4. Further Insights
This section of the report discusses some of the additional insights collected from the public survey which can help inform the future development of the NWCN. In particular this section considers some of the barriers to greater use of the NWCN identified by our survey work, as well as improvements which would encourage existing users to use the network more frequently, or for non-users to start using it.
4.1 Barriers to using the NWCN
When asked why they didn’t use walking and/or cycling routes and paths, or used them only infrequently (once every 2-3 months or less), respondents provided a range of different reasons (Figure 60).
The most frequently mentioned reasons were situational, which can be challenging to address. This includes the NWCN being too far from home (mentioned by 30%), indicating that a clear next step in its development is to improve connectivity to the national network at a local level. In addition, respondents mentioned it being too dark in winter and poor weather (29%) as factors for their non or limited use of the NWCN. A range of personal factors were also cited, including poor health (15%), being too busy (13%), not wanting to use the network alone (11%), or feeling too old (7%).
Other reasons given included a lack of facilities (15%), lack of transport to access the NWCN (11%), not knowing how to access it (11%), not feeling safe using it (8%), and concerns about getting lost (6%). Reasons given less commonly were issues with cyclists and their behaviour (n=4), ill-health in the family (n=2), their children being perceived as too young (n=2), there being no local paths (n=3) and preferring to use other facilities (n=4). Interestingly, 7% of respondents said they had no interest in using the NWCN and 16% said there was no particular reason for them not using the network, or for using it so infrequently.
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Figure 60 Which of the following reasons, if any, explain why you don’t use these types of walking and cycling paths and routes (the NWCN) more often? (2019 public survey, N=41144)
Too busy 13% Weather too poor 28% Too old 7% Have poor health 15% Not interested in using 7% Don’t know how to access 11% Lack of transport access 11% Lack of facilities 15% Concerned about getting lost 6% Don’t feel safe 8% Don’t like using alone 11% Too dark in winter 29% Too far from home 30% Other 5% No particular reason 16%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 % of respondents
Figure 9 showed how public survey respondents’ use of walking and cycling paths and routes in Scotland has changed over the last 4 years. Those people who indicated that their usage had declined were asked about the factors that have played a part in this. Figure 61 shows that for two thirds of public survey respondents, personal reasons are the main factors behind their declining use of walking and cycling routes. Other reasons cited included the physical infrastructure of the routes, such as route surface (14%), route surroundings (12%), accessibility (10%), interactions with other users (10%) and maintenance (10%).
44 Non-users and those who use the network infrequently (once every 2-3 months or less)
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Figure 61 Which of the following, if any, have influenced you to use these paths and routes less often? (Results filtered for those users who indicated a decrease in use since 2016) (2019 public survey, N=58)
% of respondents
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Personal reasons changed 66% Changes in route atmosphere 2% Non-traffic safety changes 5% Traffic-related safety changes 3% Changes in amenities 7% Changes in route surroundings 12% Changes in interactions with other users 10% Changes in accessibiity 10% Changed route direction / new routes 5% Maintenance changes 10% Changes in route surface 14% Other 7% Don't know 2%
4.2 Improvements to encourage greater use of NWCN
We also asked people who didn’t use the NWCN, or used it infrequently, to tell us what would encourage them to make more use of Scottish walking and/or cycling paths and routes (Figure 62). Whilst nearly one fifth of respondents (19%) indicated that there was ‘nothing at all’ or that they were ‘not sure’, a range of factors, sometimes interrelated, were otherwise cited.
Lack of / greater awareness of paths and routes was the most frequently mentioned barrier, as indicated by 15% of respondents.
“I might be tempted to use them if I knew where they were.”
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“If I knew a route had regular places to stop and sit I'd be more likely to use them.”
Personal factors were also identified as a main barrier, including an individual’s age and health (12%), personal choice (not to use) (5%), lack of time (2%), and having someone to accompany them.
“Like a good number of folk, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
A relatively large number of respondents also cited the need for more local routes (11%) and better access to the routes as the reason for their non or limited use. For example:
“More ways to access more routes via public transport, as I don't have access to a car.”
“Buses don’t take bikes.”
Provision of facilities (6%) and maintenance issues (including lack of lighting) (5%) were scored relatively lower by respondents. This suggests that barriers to use were not primarily concerned with aspects of the paths and routes themselves, rather than to the other factors cited.
“An increase in the number of facilities such as toilets
and cafes and/or refreshment kiosks.”
Other reasons cited by respondents included general safety issues (6%), poor weather (6%), lack of facilities (6%) and issues with other users (1%).
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Figure 62 If you don’t currently use walking and/or cycling paths and routes on a regular basis, what would encourage you to make more use of them in the future? (Results filtered for those who do not use walking and/or cycling paths and routes, or used them less than every 2-3 months) (2019 public survey, N=386)
Access problems 10% 15% Lack of awareness Maintenance issues 5% Safety concerns 6% Other users 1% Health / age 12% More local routes 11% Personal choice 5% More facilities 6% Better weather 6% Lack of time 2% Someone to go with 3% Other 1% 19% Nothing / not sure 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
% of respondents indicating each factor
We also asked what could be done to improve the walking and/or cycling paths and routes used. A range of improvement issues were suggested (Figure 63) - maintenance issues, covering a range of factors including improved path surfaces, widths of paths, and general maintenances issues regarding litter, repairs and cutting back vegetation, were cited most frequently (19%).
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“Perhaps clean up the area. Although it is natural and
unspoilt, there is litter and a lot of overgrown foliage.”
“Upgrade surfaces from large stone chips to something smoother for cycling & walking and trim back overgrown vegetation so two cycles can pass.”
More/better facilities (which included provision of toilet facilities, resting places, and facilities to stop for refreshments) was the second most frequently suggested improvement (13%), followed by ‘improved signage’ (11%), primarily covering lack of, and improved information on signs (directions, places of interest, information regarding fauna). 8% also cited greater lighting provision (including lack of, especially at night/winter time), 7% more information about routes, and 7% issues with other users, primarily with dog owners/dogs off lead and making a mess, and also cyclists behaviours toward them as pedestrian.
“I think the routes could have more visibility provided by solar as it starts to get dark.”
“Possibly greater advertising that the various routes are there with easier instructions as to how you can get there.”
Other factors suggested by respondents included improved access to paths and routes (6%) (including parking availability, public transport access and accessibility issues when using paths), availability of more routes (5%), general safety issues (3%) (when using paths and routes), better weather (2%) and segregation between cyclists and pedestrians (2%).
“Have separate walk and cycling paths. Cyclists continually try to knock walkers down and are a
menace.”
“Making sure that, where possible, it is suitable for wheelchair or disabled access.”
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More positively, a fifth of respondents (20%) stated that no improvements were needed, demonstrating a high level of satisfaction with the current condition of the network for a large segment of users.
“Nothing because all the walking routes I have used were in good condition.”
Figure 63 Areas that could be improved on the walking and cycling paths and routes used (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN or Scotland’s canal towpaths and those that have used them in the last 12 months) (2019 public survey, N=657)
Maintenance issues 19% Lighting 8% Signage 11% Information 7% Issues other users 7% Better access 6% More routes 5% Facilities 13% Segregation 2% Safety 3% Weather 2% Nothing 20% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
% of respondents
This section has helped identify the reasons why some people use the NWCN infrequently, or not at all, and what actions could be taken to encourage greater use of the network. Most notably, many respondents perceived that the NWCN was too far from home and this was a significant de-motivator in terms of them using the network more. This sat alongside many personal factors explaining infrequent use of the NWCN, and would therefore look to be an area of key future development for the NWCN. In particular, improving local access to the NWCN for those groups identified as being under-represented on the NWCN should be prioritised if the network seeks to be encourage greater levels of physical activity and reduction in car travel.
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5. Conclusion
5.1 Encourage more people to enjoy Scotland
The NWCN supports more than 145 million walking and cycling trips every year. Both our whole-network usage estimates and results from the 2019 public survey suggest that usage has increased since 2016, albeit primarily through increased use by existing users rather than new users. Walking is the predominant mode. Traffic-free paths account for a large majority of all trips.
Leisure is the key driver of use. Tourist and visitor attractions are the most common amenities accessed via the NWCN. Our route user surveys suggest that 1 in 10 people using the NWCN were on a walking or cycling holiday. Nevertheless, a notable proportion of people use the NWCN for non-leisure purposes. One sixth of people reference workplaces and retail destinations and nearly one half of respondents tell us they are making their journey at least weekly. This suggests that regular trips are also a feature of NWCN usage and this conclusion is supported by respondents’ agreement that routes on the NWCN are convenient, direct transport options.
User sentiment is excellent with a Net Promoter Score of +64 (from a possible range of -100 to 100). Users are clearly driven to use the NWCN by the surroundings and scenery, suggesting that the NWCN is making the most of the rich resource of Scotland’s natural beauty to help people get exercise and spend more time outside. Improvements in wellbeing and the opportunity to relax and unwind are also noted by most users. The quality of the NWCN is generally perceived as good and improvements to the network are cited by some as a driver for their increased use of the paths. Nevertheless, some respondents did also mention areas where they would like to see improvements made to the network too.
NWCN use is more or less evenly split by gender. BAME users and those with disabilities or poor health are under-represented on the NWCN and all future plans to develop the NWCN should include a focus on means of improving accessibility to these groups. The picture with regard to age is less clear: compared to outdoor users, those aged over 55 are not under- represented on the NWCN, however they do tend to use the network less frequently than younger age groups. Socio-economic status is a clear predictor of NWCN use with those who are unemployed or retired and living on state pension only being much less likely to use the NWCN than other groups.
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The factors which prevent people from using the NWCN, or from using it more frequently, are often natural, such as the weather and limited daylight in winter. The perceived distance of the NWCN from people’s homes is a significant de-motivator, highlighting the value of local routes and developing a dense network of cycling and walking routes throughout Scotland. Many other reasons are cited by a smaller number of people and these may be interacting with personal changes of circumstance that many users note as the cause of reduction in their use of the NWCN. Users’ comments corroborate this and indicate that the whole range of factors such as accessibility, signage, maintenance and, perhaps most clearly, facilities and amenities need to be considered to maximise usage and make the NWCN appealing to the whole Scottish population and visitors from abroad.
5.2 Strengthen local economies
The value to Scotland of the benefits of use of the NWCN can be estimated at over £100 million. This is primarily the monetised value of the benefits of improvements in health and the subsequent reductions in absenteeism. However, many of the economic benefits of the NWCN are seen most clearly at a local level.
Recreational walkers and cyclists on the NWCN supported approximately 27,500 FTE jobs by spending almost £2 billion in 2019, with accommodation and food and drink expenditure accounting for the majority of this. Businesses of all scales near the NWCN are very aware of the presence of local walking and cycling routes and more than half incorporate their proximity into their marketing activities, primarily through websites. With many businesses indicating that the NWCN has helped bring benefit to them, there is clear scope and opportunity for more businesses to be encouraged to use and promote the NWCN in their marketing activities.
Only a small minority of businesses report that none of their customers use walking and cycling routes and nearly one third indicate that at least half their customers do, with these customers coming from both within Scotland and further afield. In contrast, only a minority of businesses report that local residents are typical customers, indicating the ability of the NWCN to attract custom primarily from outside the local area to support the local economy. More than half of businesses report increased customers and revenue as a benefit of the NWCN over the last few years and anticipate increased footfall with further development of the NWCN. The translation of this increased footfall into increased revenue and business growth is not as confidently anticipated, although the scalability of local business in order to respond to increased potential custom is not within the scope of this study.
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5.3 Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices
The majority of users report that getting exercise and improved wellbeing are factors influencing their choice to use the NWCN, and that it improves their overall satisfaction with life. The vast majority of NWCN users report that it has allowed them to increase their amount of physical activity. Correspondingly, users of the NWCN report much more regular patterns of physical activity than non-users with at least two-thirds reaching the recommended threshold of 30 minutes of activity 5 times per week.
Although most users agree that the feeling of safety on the route was an important factor in using the NWCN, few occasional or inexperienced cyclists were among those interviewed on the NWCN. The median trip length for cyclists (25.7km) corroborates this finding that the NWCN primarily serves experienced cyclists, at least at the locations surveyed.
Most trips involving the NWCN are made entirely by active modes, with at least two- thirds of users reaching the NWCN by foot or by bike only. For most this is because the entire trip, including accessing the NWCN, is purely recreational, but about one in seven could have used a car and chose not to, primarily because they appreciated the health benefits of active travel. Most trips to the NWCN using other forms of transport, such as car or public transport, are in excess of 10 miles with more than one third being over 20 miles. Although people are prepared to travel substantial distances to reach walking and cycling routes that they enjoy it appears that most short journeys to the NWCN are made by active travel.
In addition to these personal and local benefits, the NWCN contributes to the global effort against climate change by removing almost 20 million car trips from the road, saving over 7 million kg of CO2.
Some key conclusions can be drawn from these findings to inform the future development of the NWCN, in line with the programme’s objectives:
1. Encourage more people to enjoy Scotland:
In light of the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the case for continued and improved active travel opportunities has become ever hard to ignore.
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NatureScot’s recent research, ‘Enjoying the outdoors – the impact of coronavirus and social distancing45’ provided an understanding of outdoor visit behaviour and engagement with nature during the first six months of the coronavirus crisis. With overall participation in regular outdoor visits higher than normal during this period, the research highlighted how essential nature and access to local greenspace are to both our physical health and mental well-being. However, the research also underlined the inequality of access to good quality local greenspace which still exists, especially among younger adults, less affluent people and those with a long-term illness or disability.
Transport Scotland have also been monitoring public attitudes to transport and travel throughout the crisis. Findings of a survey which took place between 8th and 16th September 202046 show that 64% of respondents indicated that they will walk and cycle more in the future. Clearly the need to ensure the NWCN is accessible locally should remain a priority to ensure these wishes can be accommodated. In addition 55% agree that they will travel less by air than before, which implies fewer holidays being taken abroad. Indeed 43% of people say they are likely to book at least one leisure trip in Scotland. The NWCN can therefore have an increasing role in enabling more people to enjoy the outdoors in Scotland by making it accessible to those visiting from within Scotland.
2. Strengthen local economies:
With Visit Scotland positing that ‘a sustainable approach to tourism growth is the only way to ensure long-term success of tourism in Scotland’47, there are clear opportunities to continue expanding the walking and cycling opportunities in Scotland. Recreational walkers and cyclists on the NWCN contributed almost £2 billion to Scotland’s local economy in 2019 alone. Alongside this, the observed levels of walking and cycling on the NWCN (and associated reduction in car travel) contributed a further £108 million in benefits to the economy, most significantly through improvements to health outcomes.
3. Support physical activity and sustainable travel choices:
Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of premature death in Scotland, and even small increases in physical activity can help to prevent ill health and improve quality of life48. And for the vast majority of NWCN users, the network is an important resource for increasing physical activity levels and improving wellbeing. This link
45 https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-access-and- recreation/increasing-participation/measuring-participation 46 https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/covid-19-public-attitudes-survey-data-wave-8/ 47 https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/quality-customer-experience/sustainable-tourism 48 http://www.healthscotland.scot/health-topics/physical-activity/physical-activity-overview
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should be harnessed further, with the network marketed as a clear resource for improving health outcomes for Scotland. With doctors in the UK now being encouraged to prescribe walking and cycling as a means of improving health and wellbeing, the value of the NWCN should come into even clearer focus. In its Covid-19 Public Attitudes Survey46 Transport Scotland found that 48% of respondents agreed with the statement "I will avoid public transport and use my car or other vehicle more than I did before when restrictions on transport are lifted". With a shift away from public transport therefore likely, it is imperative to provide and maintain high-quality active travel infrastructure to enable people to choose active modes and avoid damaging increases in car usage and the resulting negative health, road danger and environmental impacts.
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6. Appendix
6.1 Route User Intercept Survey monitoring sites
Table 6 Route user intercept survey monitoring locations and their survey years
Site name NCN no. Survey years Manor Powis NCN76 2016 and 2019
Caledonian Canal (Laggan Locks) NCN78 2016 and 2019
Arran Coastal Way NCN73 2016 and 2019
Deeside Way NCN195 2016 and 2019
Clyde Walkway NCN75 2016 and 2019
Union Canal NCN754 2016 and 2019
Bowling, Forth and Clyde Canal NCN754 2016 and 2019
John Muir Way NCN76 2016 and 2019
Mull of Galloway Trail 2016 and 2019
Great Trossachs Path 2016 and 2019
Loch Lomond and Cowal Way (Tank’s Landing) RCN94 2016 and 2019
Cateran Trail 2016 and 2019
Moray Coast Trail NCN1 2016 and 2019
Borders Abbeys Way 2016 and 2019
Great Glen Way (Abriachan) 2016 and 2019
Great Glen Way (Banavie) NCN78 2016 and 2019
Cross Scotland Pilgrim’s Way 2016 and 2019
Fife Coastal Path 2019 only
Hebridean Way NCN780 2019 only
Rob Roy Way NCN7 2019 only
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Figure 64 Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network and the route user intercept surveys (RUIS) locations
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6.2 Whole Network Usage Estimate (WNUE) methodology
We used Sustrans’ NCN Whole Network Usage Estimate (NCN WNUE) methodology to estimate usage across the entire extent of the NWCN in 201949. This methodology uses data from monitored sections of the UK-wide NCN to make an estimate of usage on the unmonitored sections of the NWCN. It is based on the following premise:
Any sections of a network which share the same characteristics (which are known to affect walking and cycling levels) will see the same level of usage.
The sections below set out the methodology as applied to the UK-wide NCN and then detail the revisions used to apply the same method to the NWCN.
6.2.1 Determinants of usage on the NCN
Previous Sustrans research (2014) identified two characteristics as key determinants of usage on the NCN:
Population in proximity – levels of cycling tend to increase in line with the size of population living in close proximity to it;
Proportion of the population who cycle to work – levels of cycling on a route tend to be high when the proportion of the local population who cycle to work is also high.
Several other variables were included in the study, but the above two variables were shown to be the best predictors of usage and are therefore used to estimate usage on the NCN.
6.2.2 Categorising the NCN according to characteristics that determine usage
Using a geographic information system (GIS), we break down a map of the NCN network into sections of route ≤ 1km long, using natural break points such as junctions or changes in the infrastructure provision.
49 The methodology described here was used to estimate usage on the NWCN in 2019 only. For the baseline report, a different and incomparable methodology was used to estimate usage on the NWCN. Due to their incomparability, no comparisons will be made to the estimate produced in 2016. The methodology described here was also used to estimate 2019 usage on the NCN (UK-wide) and NCN in Scotland specifically.
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Values for the two ‘usage-determining’ characteristics identified above were calculated for each (1km or less) route sections. These characteristics are assumed to remain constant for each section.
Population in proximity
This characteristic is quantified using a metric called ‘population gravity’. This accounts for both the size of the local population and its proximity to the section in question by applying a non- linear weighting (the square of the distance from the section). This means that the further a population centre is from the section of route, the less its impact on the population gravity score. This metric is calculated as follows:
The centre point of the route section is identified;
Concentric rings are drawn around this point at 1km intervals between 1 and 10km;
The statistical geographies (SGs) (DataZones for Scotland, LSOAs in England and Wales, SOAs in Northern Ireland) that fall into each concentric ring are identified using the point co-ordinates of the population weighted centroid (PWC) of the SG;
The population of each concentric ring is calculated by summing the populations of the SG that lie in each ring;
The population of each ring is then divided by the square of the distance of that ring from the centre point of the route section in question. The mid-point of each ring is used (i.e. the distance value used is 0.5km, 1.5km…9.5km);
The resulting ten values are then summed to give a single value for that section of route.
The calculation can be written as follows:
10 푥 푃표푝푢푙푎푡𝑖표푛 푔푟푎푣𝑖푡푦 = ∑ 푖 (𝑖 − 0.5)2 푖=1 푊ℎ푒푟푒 𝑖 = 푡ℎ푒 푏푢푓푓푒푟푠 푝푙푎푐푒푑 푎푟표푢푛푑 푒푎푐ℎ 푟표푢푡푒 푐푒푛푡푟푒 푝표𝑖푛푡 (𝑖푛 푘푚) 푎푛푑 푥 = 푡ℎ푒 푠푢푚 표푓 푡ℎ푒 푝표푝푢푙푎푡𝑖표푛 표푓 푡ℎ푒 푆퐺 푡ℎ푎푡 푙𝑖푒 푤𝑖푡ℎ𝑖푛 푒푎푐ℎ 푏푢푓푓푒푟.
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Level of cycling to work
We quantify this characteristic using data taken from the 2011 Census concerning the proportion of people within an SG who cycle to work. A non-linear weighting is again applied to account for the effect of distance from the section of route in question. It is calculated as follows:
The proportion of people cycling to work in each SG lying in each concentric ring (from the previous section) is identified;
The mean proportion of people cycling to work is calculated for each ring;
The resulting value for each ring is then divided by the square of the distance of that ring from the centre point of the route section in question. The mid-point of each ring is used (i.e. the distance value used is 0.5km, 1.5km…9.5km);
The resulting ten values are then summed to give a single value for that section of route.
The calculation can be written as follows:
10 푥̅ 퐶푦푐푙푒 푡표 푤표푟푘 푔푟푎푣𝑖푡푦 = ∑ 푖 (𝑖 − 0.5)2 푖=1 푊ℎ푒푟푒 𝑖 = 푡ℎ푒 푏푢푓푓푒푟푠 푝푙푎푐푒푑 푎푟표푢푛푑 푒푎푐ℎ 푟표푢푡푒 푐푒푛푡푟푒 푝표𝑖푛푡 (𝑖푛 푘푚) 푎푛푑 푥̅ = 푡ℎ푒 푚푒푎푛 푐푦푐푙푒 푡표 푤표푟푘 푝푟표푝표푟푡𝑖표푛 표푓 푡ℎ푒 푆퐺 푡ℎ푎푡 푙𝑖푒 푤𝑖푡ℎ𝑖푛 푒푎푐ℎ 푏푢푓푓푒푟.
6.2.3 Cycling and pedestrian usage data on the NCN
We identified over 200 automatic cycle and pedestrian counters located on the traffic-free UK- wide NCN using GIS. Count data for 2019 was extracted and Annual Median Daily Totals (AMDT) calculated. These usage estimates are assigned to the ≤1km route section on which they were located.
Very few automatic counters are located on the on-road NCN so Department for Transport traffic count data50 are used instead. This dataset contains the location of all count points used in the National Road Traffic Estimates (NRTEs) since 2000, along with the classified road traffic counts for that location (including cycle counts). We downloaded the Average Annual Day Flow (AADF) data for all 201851 count locations on the UK-wide NCN. These usage estimates are assigned to the ≤1km route section on which the relevant count was located.
50 https://data.gov.uk/dataset/208c0e7b-353f-4e2d-8b7a-1a7118467acc/gb-road-traffic-counts 51 No 2019 data was available at the time of writing this report.
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6.2.4 Estimating usage where there are no count data on the NCN
The previous steps result in a dataset of the UK-wide NCN, made up of sections ≤1km long. Each section has a value assigned for the two characteristics (population gravity and cycle to work proportion gravity), and some sections have a daily usage figure taken from either an automatic counter or DfT’s categorised NRTE counts.
It is then straightforward to use a multivariate regression of the two characteristics on the available count data to produce an equation to estimate cycle usage on the unmonitored sections.52 Because of the different sources of count data, two regressions are conducted: one for the on road sections and another for the off road sections. Note the term on the left hand side of the two equations differs because different transformations were applied to the count data.
Off road usage
√푦푖 = 푏0 + 푏1푥1푖 + 푏2푥2푖 + 푒푖
On road usage
푙표푔10푦푖 = 푏0 + 푏1푥1푖 + 푏2푥2푖 + 푒푖
Where:
푦 = 푡ℎ푒 푒푠푡𝑖푚푎푡푒푑 푑푎𝑖푙푦 푢푠푎푔푒
푥1 = 푃표푝푢푙푎푡𝑖표푛 푔푟푎푣𝑖푡푦
푥2 = 퐶푦푐푙푒 푡표 푤표푟푘 푝푟표푝표푟푡𝑖표푛 푔푟푎푣𝑖푡푦
푏1 푎푛푑 푏2 = 푇ℎ푒 푟푒푔푟푒푠푠𝑖표푛 푐표푒푓푓𝑖푐𝑖푒푛푡푠 푒 = 푇ℎ푒 푒푟푟표푟 𝑖푛 푡ℎ푒 푚표푑푒푙 𝑖 = 푇ℎ푒 푠푒푐푡𝑖표푛 표푓 푟표푢푡푒 𝑖푛 푞푢푒푠푡𝑖표푛
To estimate a usage figure for pedestrians, one of two approaches are taken. If there is a pedestrian counter on the section, we use the actual usage figure. For any sections without pedestrian data, previous analysis of combined pedestrian and cycle counts by Sustrans has indicated that there are approximately 3.00 pedestrian trips per cycle trip. Pedestrian usage on the remaining sections (both on and off road) is therefore the cycle usage estimate (either actual or modelled) multiplied by 3.00. Note, it is assumed that there is no pedestrian usage on any on-road sections of the NCN.
52 Note, any sections where there are count data are assigned the actual usage figure rather than the estimated figure.
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The resulting usage figures are actually density figures – it is the count of cycles and pedestrians that would be recorded at any point on the given section of route. It is not an estimate of the number of individual trips being made on that section.53
To estimate the number of trips, we divide the density figure by the average trip length on the NCN (2.42km for cycles, 1.1km for pedestrians – Sustrans (2014)). The sum of the resulting figure for each section is the daily usage estimate for the network. Multiplying this by 365 gives the total annual usage estimate.
6.2.5 Applying the NCN WNUE methodology to the NWCN
To estimate usage on the NWCN we use the same regression co-efficients that we use on the UK wide NCN. This is because there is substantial overlap between the two networks in Scotland and it is also important that the two usage estimates are compatible with each other. However, there are some adjustments to the methodology that are required to make it applicable to the NWCN. Unless stated, the methods are otherwise identical.
A GIS shapefile of the entire extent of the NWCN network was created by merging shapefiles of the NCN in Scotland with those for Scotland’s Great Trails and Scotland’s Canal towpaths. Boolean attributes (TRUE/FALSE) were assigned to each section of the route, specifying whether the section was walkable and/or cyclable (please see the following section for the detail of how this attribute was identified) and whether it was on-road or traffic-free. The entire network was then divided into sections ≤ 1km in length, using natural break points such as junctions, or where the network switched between on-road to traffic-free cycling provision, or the walkability and cyclability definition changed.
The two explanatory characteristics were calculated for the non-NCN sections of the NWCN using the same approach as detailed above.
The NCN WNUE regression co-efficients were then used to calculate a usage figure for each section on the network, including on the non-NCN sections. Any sections where there are count data are assigned the actual usage figure rather than the estimated figure. This includes any automatic counters or DfT count points on the non-NCN NWCN.
A number of on-road sections of the NWCN are deemed to be walkable, but the DfT counts do
53 As an example, consider a section of network that is 2 kilometres long. There are 10 people cycling on the path, and they will cycle the full length of the path once. If a count was conducted it would record 10 instances of people passing the count site, regardless of the location of the count on the path. This would give the usage density – 10 people per unit of distance. If kilometres are used as the unit of distance, this gives 10 people per kilometre, or 10 usage kilometres. Scaling this up to the 2km path gives 20 usage kilometres. Note, any unit of distance could be used, as long as the length of the path was reported in the same unit.
However, usage kilometres are not easily communicable measure of usage. To convert usage kilometres into the number of trips being made, they are divided by the average length of trip on the section. In this example, divide the 20 usage kilometres by the cycle length – 2km – to give a total of 10 trips, which is the right answer.
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not include a pedestrian category so it is not possible to use actual data for these sections. Pedestrian usage on these sections is estimated using the same approach to estimating pedestrian usage on the traffic-free sections where there are no data (i.e. by factoring the cycle usage figure on the same section).
The resulting density figures are then divided by the average trip length on the NCN. Assumed also relevant to the NWCN (2.42km for cycles, 1.1km for pedestrians – Sustrans (2014)). The sum of the resulting figure for each section is the daily usage estimate for the NWCN. This is then multiplied by 365 to give an annual usage estimate.
6.2.6 Walkability and cyclability of the NWCN
There is considerable overlap between the different networks making up the NWCN, all with different definitions for what makes their component routes walkable and/or cyclable. A hierarchy of decisions has therefore been followed to determine the walkability/cyclability of any route section:
Figure 65 Defining walkability and cyclability on the NWCN
Is it Scottish Yes All walkable and Canals? cyclable
No
All walkable; cyclable Is it Scotland’s Yes according to Great Trails? audit (see section 6.2.7)
No
Traffic-free = walkable + Is it NCN? Yes cyclable
On-road = cyclable only No
Not on NWCN
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6.2.7 Cyclability of Scotland’s Great Trails
Cyclable sections of SGTs are:
Suitable for:
A person of any age who can cycle on varied terrain.
Road or mountain bikes, unassisted or e-bikes.
Length:
A section of trail is defined as being of 1km or more in length, starting from an access point.
Surface type:
On or off road where the surface could range from smooth tarmac to loose gravel, bare earth or grass.
There may be some natural small obstacles such as roots or rocks.
A short flight of 3 or 4 steps is acceptable, or a longer flight if a wheeling ramp is installed at the side.
It is acceptable to negotiate water bars but it shouldn’t be necessary to lift a bike over multiple cross drains, i.e. more than 1 or 2 per km.
Gradients, barriers and gaps:
Gradients are mostly up to moderate (5% to 12%) but could include short steep sections (slopes between 12% and 20% of up to 50m duration) where cyclists might need to get off and push.
Sections of route should be free from barriers - or where a barrier is in place (e.g. a stile or a gate), it should be possible to open the barrier and push a bike through, rather than have to lift a bike over it.
Any gaps, e.g. in fences or between bollards, should be greater than 1200m.
Please see the following figure for the walkability and cyclability of the NWCN as determined for the whole network usage estimate methodology.
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Figure 66 Walkability and cyclability of Scotland’s NWCN, as determined for the purposes of the whole network usage estimate methodology
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6.3 Public survey
6.3.1 User demographics of NWCN route components
In this section we present results from the 2019 public survey that provide a deeper understanding of the types of people who are currently using the individual networks which make up the NWCN. First the gender of users of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal towpaths are explored and compared. This is followed by the age of users on each network, and whether they have a health problem or disability which limits their ability to participate in outdoor recreation and leisure. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) for their home postcode follows, ending with a look at the socio-economic status of all users on each of the three networks54
As shown in Figure 67 below, male respondents are more likely to have used any of the three component networks of the NWCN (in the last 12 months) than female respondents. Here 41% of male respondents indicated they had used Scotland’s Great Trails in the last 12 months, compared to 34% of females. 41% of male respondents had also used Scotland’s canal towpaths, compared to 38% of females, whilst 36% of male respondents had used the NCN, compared to 32% of female respondents.
Figure 67 Use of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal towpaths by gender, (results filtered for those aware of each network) (2019 public survey; SGT N=55655; NCN N=640; Scotland’s canal towpaths N=578).56
100% 90% 80% 34% 41% 32% 36% 38% 41% 70% 60% 50% 40% 58% 64% 30% 57% 62% 59% 57% 20% 8% % of % respondents 10% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 0% Female Male Female Male Female Male (N=290) (N=266) (N=308) (N=332) (N=265) (N=313) SGTs NCN SCTPs
Not sure No, I haven't Yes I have
54 Please note that separate graphs have been required for the SIMD and socio-economic status of each of the three networks for clarity.
56 4 SGT users, 4 NCN users and 5 Scottish canal towpath users indicated ‘Other’ for gender and were not included in this analysis due to the small sample size.
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When looking at the age of network users (Figure 68), those in the 55+ age group were least likely to have used any of the three networks in the past 12 months (just 24% had used the NCN, 26% Scotland’s Great Trails and 33% Scotland’s canal towpaths). Interestingly, those in the youngest age group (16-34) were most likely have used to the canal towpaths (49%), whilst those in the middle age groups (35-54) were most likely to have used Scotland’s Great Trails (49%) and the NCN (43%). In each case, it’s important to consider the number of respondents who were unsure if they’ve used either of the networks in the last 12 months.
Figure 68 Use of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal towpaths by age (results filtered for those aware of each network) (2019 public survey; SGT N=560; NCN N=644; Scottish canal towpaths N=583)
100% 90% 26% 24% 33% 80% 41% 40% 49% 43% 49% 44% 70% 60% 50%
40% 73% 75% 48% 55% 66%
30% 47% 53% 43% 55% % of % respondents 20% 4% 5% 3% 10% 11% 1% 1% 8% 1% 1% 0% 16-34 35-54 55+ 16-34 35-54 55+ 16-34 35-54 55+ (N=168) (N=176) (N=216) (N=164) (N=210) (N=270) (N=125) (N=183) (N=275) SGTs NCN SCTPs
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
When considering whether users of each network have a long-term disability or health problem (which limits their ability to participate in outdoors activities), some interesting findings arise (Figure 69). There is a greater proportion of users with a long-term disability or health problem which limit their activities a lot who have used the Scottish canal towpaths (43%), than amongst those with a disability limiting their activities a little (33%) or those without one at all (41%). For both the NCN and Scotland’s Great Trails, there is a higher proportion of users with no activity- limiting disability or health problem who have used the routes (37% and 40% respectively), than those whose activities might be limited a little or lot.
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Figure 69 Use of Scotland’s Great Trails, the NCN and Scotland’s canal towpaths by respondents’ ability to participate in outdoor recreation and leisure (results filtered for those aware of each network) (2019 public survey; SGT N=560; NCN N=644; Scottish canal towpaths N=583)
100% 90% 29% 29% 36% 34% 33% 80% 40% 37% 43% 41% 70% 60% 50% 40% 64% 58% 66% 64% 30% 56% 66% 61% 53% 56% % of % respondents 20% 7% 6% 4% 10% 5% 3% 4% 3% 3% 0% Limited a Limited a Not Limited a Limited a Not Limited a Limited a Not lot little limited lot little limited lot little limited (N=70) (N=155) (N=335) (N=79) (N=163) (N=402) (N=74) (N=144) (N=365) SGTs NCN SCTPs
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)
When exploring the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile of respondents’ home locations and their use of Scotland’s Great Trails (Figure 70), there looks to be little difference in the numbers of participants using SGTs, between those living in quintile areas 1 (40%), 2 (40%) and 5 (39%) - although, lower numbers of respondents living in quintile 4 (34%) and quintile 3 (30%) were observed. However, the relatively high number of respondents that were unsure if they had used SGTs or not in quintiles 3 (8%) and 4 (5%) may in part explain these observed differences in usage.
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Figure 70 Use of Scotland’s Great Trails by SIMD quintile (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails) (2019 public survey, N=417)57.
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Quintile 1 (N=101) 2% 58% 40%
Quintile 2 (N=86) 2% 57% 40%
Quintile 3 (N=64) 8% 63% 30%
Quintile 4 (N=83) 5% 61% 34%
Quintile 5 (N=83) 61% 39%
% of respondents
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
Considering now the SIMD of respondents’ home location and their use of the NCN (Figure 71), here respondents living in quintile 5 (least deprived) were the most likely to have used the NCN in the past 12 months (39%), compared to quintiles 2 (34%), 1 (33%) and 4 (32%). Respondents living in quintile 3 were the least likely to use the NCN (27%). However, the relatively high number of respondents that were unsure if they had used the NCN in quintiles 3 (6%) and 1 (4%) may in part explain the differences observed between the groups.
Figure 71 Use of the NCN by SIMD quintile (results filtered for those aware of the NCN) (2019 public survey, N=48858)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Quintile 1 (N=103) 4% 63% 33%
Quintile 2 (N=98) 2% 64% 34%
Quintile 3 (N=84) 6% 67% 27%
Quintile 4 (N=93) 2% 66% 32%
Quintile 5 (N=110) 1% 60% 39%
% of respondents
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
57 143 respondents could not be classified according to SIMD and have not been analysed here. 58 156 respondents could not be classified according to SIMD and have not been analysed here.
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In relation to the SIMD quintile of respondents’ home location and their use of the Scottish canal towpaths (Figure 72), respondents living in quintile 1 (most deprived) were the most likely to have used the Scottish canal towpaths in the past 12 months (47%). This is the same as was observed on Scotland’s Great Trails, but the opposite to the NCN where the least deprived group was most likely to have used the network in the last 12 months.
Figure 72 Use of Scotland’s canal towpaths by SIMD quintile (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=45359)
Quintile 1 (N=86) 2% 51% 47%
Quintile 2 (N=89) 1% 69% 30%
Quintile 3 (N=82) 1% 61% 38%
Quintile 4 (N=83) 5% 57% 39%
Quintile 5 (N=113) 60% 40%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% % of respondents Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
Socio-economic status
Due to there being 8 socio-economic group categories, the sample sizes in some of these groups is quite small and so all percentages reported here should be treated with caution.
There appears to be a clear pattern in usage of Scotland’s Great Trails by respondents’ socio- economic status (Figure 73), with those in the highest socio-economic groups most likely to have used the routes. 57% of those in higher managerial positions (SE1) have used Scotland’s Great Trails, as have 43% of those in supervisory/junior managerial roles (SE3) and 41% of those in intermediate managerial roles (SE2). Those working in skilled manual roles follow next (SE4), with 37% of respondents having used Scotland’s Great Trails, as have 36% of students (SE6) and 35% of those working in semi/unskilled manual work (SE5).
In contrast, over a quarter (26%) of those unemployed or not working due to illness (SE7) have used the routes, as have just 17% of those retired (SE8). Some of these differences may be due to the numbers of respondents in different groups that were unsure, and perhaps the
59 130 respondents could not be classified according to SIMD and have not been analysed here.
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relatively low numbers in some categories (e.g. students n=11), although, would not explain the overall trend in usage.
Figure 73 Use of Scotland’s Great Trails by socio-economic status (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s Great Trails) (2019 public survey, N=560)
SE1 (N=35) 3% 40% 57%
SE2 (N=108) 5% 55% 41%
SE3 (N=134) 4% 54% 43%
SE4 (N=114) 6% 57% 37%
SE5 (N=63) 5% 60% 35%
SE6 (N=11) 9% 55% 36%
SE7 (N=53) 9% 64% 26%
SE8 (N=42) 5% 79% 17%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
% of respondents
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
Considering now the socio-economic status of users of the NCN (Figure 74), we can see that students (SE6) and those in higher managerial positions (SE1) were more likely to have used the NCN in the past 12 months (50% and 49% respectively). This is followed by those in junior managerial roles (SE3) (38%) and skilled manual workers (SE4) (36%).
In contrast, those in semi/unskilled work (SE5) (32%), intermediate managerial roles (SE2) (30%), unemployed or not working due to illness (SE7) (28%) and those retired (SE8) (27%) were the least likely to use the NCN. Some of these differences may be due to the numbers of respondents in different groups that were unsure, specifically semi/unskilled workers (SE5) (6%) and those unemployed (SE7) (6%), and perhaps the relatively low number of respondents in some categories, particularly students (SE6 n=8).
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Figure 74 Use of the NCN by socio-economic status (results filtered for those aware of the NCN) (2019 public survey, N=644)
SE1 (N=45) 51% 49%
SE2 (N=151) 2% 68% 30%
SE3 (N=162) 3% 59% 38%
SE4 (N=117) 3% 61% 36%
SE5 (N=66) 6% 62% 32%
SE6 (N=8) 0% 50% 50%
SE7 (N=50) 6% 66% 28%
SE8 (N=45) 73% 27%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% of respondents
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
When exploring respondents’ socio-economic status and their use of the Scottish canal towpaths (Figure 75), respondents in semi/unskilled manual work (SE5) and higher managerial positions (SE1) were the most likely to have used the Scottish canal towpaths in the last 12 months (47% and 46% respectively). This followed by those in intermediate managerial roles (SE2) (42%), skilled manual workers (SE4) (42%) and junior managerial roles (SE3) (40%). Students (SE6) (33%), those retired (SE8) (29%) and those unemployed or not working due to illness (SE7) (25%) were the least likely to have used Scotland’s canal towpaths. Some of these differences may be due to the numbers of respondents in different groups that were unsure, specifically those unemployed or not working due to illness (SE7) (10%), and perhaps the relatively low numbers in some categories, particularly students (SE6 n=9).
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Figure 75 Use of the Scottish canal towpaths by socio-economic status (results filtered for those aware of Scotland’s canal towpaths) (2019 public survey, N=583)
SE1 (N=41) 54% 46%
SE2 (N=137) 3% 55% 42%
SE3 (N=148) 2% 58% 40%
SE4 (N=103) 2% 56% 42%
SE5 (N=55) 2% 51% 47%
SE6 (N=9) 67% 33%
SE7 (N=48) 10% 65% 25%
SE8 (N=42) 2% 69% 29%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
% of respondents
Not sure No, I haven't Yes, I have
6.4 Business Survey
6.4.1.1 Proximity of businesses to NWCN routes We asked business respondents to indicate (in an open-ended question) which NWCN component paths and routes they were aware of in proximity to their businesses. Nearly two thirds (64%) of business respondents who answered this question were able to name at least one of the NWCN route/path components, in proximity to their businesses, with 19% naming ‘other local routes’, and 15% not sure. Due to this question being open-ended, responses are not always specific to clearly be able to identify the route being cited.
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Table 7 NWCN component paths and routes in proximity to businesses (Business Survey, N=75)
Route Frequency of businesses % of businesses
NCN 14 19
Great Glen Way 9 12
Coastal path 2 3
Great Trossachs Path 3 4
John Muir Way 6 8
Borders Abbeys Way 1 1
Dava Way 1 1
St Cuthbert’s Way 1 1
Canal path 3 4
Rob Roy Way 13 17
West Highland Way 14 19
Cateran Trail 2 3
Loch Lomond and Cowal Way 10 13
Annandale Way 1 1
Arran Coastal Way 1 1
Fife Coastal Path 4 5
Hebridean Way 10 13
Mull of Galloway Trail 3 4
Three Lochs Way 5 7
West Island Way 1 1
Other local route 14 19
Not sure 11 15
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