Annabelle Ewing’s Plan for Better Walking and Cycling
Annabelle Ewing’s transport platform places walking, cycling and safer local connections at the heart of healthier communities. For Ochil and South Perthshire, that means making everyday journeys easier without requiring residents to rely on a car for every trip.
The constituency includes towns, villages, farmland and busy commuter routes. A practical active-travel strategy must therefore work for school runs in Alloa, shopping trips in Kinross, journeys around Dollar and Tillicoultry, and connections towards Perth, Stirling and Edinburgh.
For an Australian audience, the challenge will feel familiar. Melbourne’s protected cycleways, Brisbane’s e-bike growth and Sydney’s difficult hills all show that infrastructure needs to match local conditions. Scotland has its own weather, terrain and rural distances, but the principle is similar: people walk and ride when routes feel safe, direct and useful.
Ewing’s approach would support better footpaths, joined-up cycle networks and stronger links with buses and rail. It would also recognise that good infrastructure is about independence: children travelling to school, older residents reaching local services and workers choosing an affordable alternative to driving.
Safer Routes For Everyday Journeys
The first priority is safety. Many people will walk or cycle when they can use a continuous route separated from fast-moving traffic, with clear crossings, good lighting and surfaces that remain usable in wet weather.
A local programme could focus on routes to schools, town centres, GP surgeries, shops and community facilities. This would help replace short car journeys with walking, cycling or a combination of active travel and public transport.
Australian cities have seen how painted lanes can leave riders feeling exposed on busy roads. In Scotland, protected space, lower vehicle speeds and well-designed junctions would be especially important on routes used by families and less confident cyclists.
Linking Towns, Villages And Rural Areas
Ochil and South Perthshire cannot be served by an urban model alone. Villages and smaller towns need paths that connect housing with services, while longer-distance routes should link neighbouring communities where geography and road conditions make cycling realistic.
The plan should include rural verges, crossings, maintenance and secure route design rather than concentrating investment in a single showcase scheme. A safe path between two communities can support commuting, tourism and access to local businesses.
This is comparable with the distances faced around Perth, Adelaide’s outer suburbs or regional Victoria. E-bikes can make longer or hillier journeys possible, but they work best when riders have dependable routes, secure parking and places to recharge.
Designing For All Ages And Abilities
Walking and cycling infrastructure should be usable by people with different levels of mobility. Smooth surfaces, dropped kerbs, accessible crossings and enough space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and adapted cycles are essential.
A strong design standard would also consider children, older people and residents who do not feel confident riding beside traffic. Seating, shade or shelter, signage and rest points can make a route more comfortable, particularly in exposed rural locations.
Australia’s school-zone culture offers a useful comparison. Safer drop-off areas, slower traffic and well-marked crossings can reduce congestion while giving families a genuine alternative to driving. The same approach could support Scottish schools and community hubs.
Connecting Active Travel With Public Transport
Walking and cycling become more practical when they connect smoothly with buses and trains. Secure cycle parking at stations, safe approaches to bus stops and clear walking links can extend the reach of public transport across the constituency.
For commuters travelling towards Stirling, Perth or Edinburgh, the option to cycle to a station and continue by rail can reduce pressure on roads and car parks. Integrated ticketing, journey information and reliable services would make those combinations easier to use.
The detail matters. A cycle rack placed far from a station entrance, or a footpath that ends at a dangerous junction, will not create a dependable network. Local planning should assess the whole journey from front door to destination.
Supporting Local Shops And Community Life
High-quality streets can benefit local economies as well as public health. People walking or cycling are more likely to notice independent shops, cafés, markets and community facilities, particularly when public spaces are attractive and easy to navigate.
Infrastructure spending should support local contractors and consult residents, schools, disability groups, businesses and cycling organisations. This would help identify practical barriers, from missing kerbs to poor drainage, before projects are finalised.
The Australian experience of weekend farmers’ markets and high-street revitalisation shows the value of pleasant, people-focused public spaces. Scottish town centres can use similar principles while respecting local character, historic buildings and seasonal weather.
Measuring Progress And Delivering Value
Ewing’s plan should be backed by transparent targets rather than isolated announcements. Useful measures could include the number of protected kilometres delivered, the condition of footpaths, reported collisions, school travel patterns and the proportion of residents who can reach key services safely without a car.
Maintenance must be funded from the beginning. Snow, rain, leaves and surface damage can quickly undermine a route, just as heat and storm conditions affect paths in Brisbane, Perth and regional Australia. Regular inspections and prompt repairs would protect public investment.
| Priority | Practical action | Community benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Safer school travel | Protected crossings, slower traffic and connected footpaths | Fewer short car trips and safer journeys for children |
| Town connections | Joined-up cycle lanes and accessible walking routes | Better access to shops, services and jobs |
| Rural mobility | Well-maintained paths between villages and transport hubs | More choices for residents outside major towns |
| Public transport links | Secure cycle parking and safe station approaches | Easier multi-modal commuting |
| Inclusive design | Smooth surfaces, seating and accessible crossings | Greater independence for all ages and abilities |
| Accountability | Public targets and maintenance reporting | Clear evidence that investment is working |
Annabelle Ewing’s transport priorities offer a practical way to connect climate action with daily life. By investing in safe walking routes, useful cycle infrastructure and integrated transport, Ochil and South Perthshire can become easier to navigate while supporting healthier communities and stronger local economies.
Read more about Ewing’s priorities, follow campaign updates and find information about voting and local engagement through the campaign website. Support for better active-travel links begins with listening to residents and making sure their priorities are represented at Westminster.