What would make you ditch the car and hop on a bike?

A survey is being launched to gather views on how the authorities should develop the transport network – and encourage people to leave the car at home.

Shetland Islands Council, NHS Shetland, ZetTrans, and local tourism bodies are working together on the possibility of developing a network of “active travel hubs” and they want to gauge local opinion.

The study will explore options which could encourage more folk to travel on foot or by bike. Choosing to walk or ride instead of using the car offers the “win-win situation” of reducing carbon emissions and improving physical health, according to the SIC.

Transport policy and projects officer at the SIC is Peter Mogridge. He said: “It’s rare to come across a genuine win-win situation in life but deciding to walk or cycle instead of going by car is exactly that; you can do yourself – and the planet – some good even if it’s just once a week or for part of your journey.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for folk to let us know how they think we could develop local services to help them increase their physical activity and reduce their carbon footprint.”

Transport links

Development of any “hubs” would be linked wherever possible to public transport, such as buses and ferries.

The survey will ask about issues such as the possibility of new ticketing and payment options, extending the smart card system, and the potential for extending the network of electric vehicle charging points. It is available online until 4th December. Paper copies can be collected from

Shetland Library, the SIC’s offices at 6 North Ness in Lerwick or SRT leisure centres.

The results will help shape applications for external funds to develop the project further.

COMMENTS(8)

Add Your Comment
  • Michael Garriock

    • November 15th, 2016 15:14

    “The study will explore options which could encourage more folk to travel on foot or by bike.”

    Much better weather and no hills!

    REPLY
  • John Tulloch

    • November 15th, 2016 16:30

    Look out, folks, more “zealotry from the Planet Zog”!

    Looby Loo tells Andy Pandy that Little Noddy has left his car at home today because it will make his little legs strong and save the world from something horrid called ‘Thermageddon’.

    Big Ears is jolly cross, because he’ll be on the front of Little Noddy’s tandem now and so will have to do all the pedalling – just when he thought he would be able to ride in Little Noddy’s car for lunch at the Parkgate pizzeria!

    BREXIT!!! TRUMP!!!

    REPLY
    • Brian Smith

      • November 17th, 2016 9:35

      Yes, Trump wid never go on a bike.

      REPLY
      • laurence paton

        • November 17th, 2016 16:13

        Trump does enjoy a game of Golf and travels on an electric Golf cart rather than a coal fired one.
        Does that count as one green initiative or eighteen ?

  • i tinkler

    • November 16th, 2016 11:23

    How about float bikes, (supply free to the overweight). Could be researched at H and I University, Shetland College and Mareel (whoops no Science facilities), used as an alternative to costly ferry service. As an alternative, the entire population could be moved to Lerwick, that appears to be the Masterplan in any case. Lerwick could then go for traffic free!! PS I have my own bike, just the 50 miles round trip to Lerwick is a bit much in a Shetland force 10 wind at my age!!!!.

    REPLY
  • Mrs S M Burns

    • November 16th, 2016 18:45

    Nothing, short of a complete lack of cars on the roads or completely separate cycle tracks. I don’t trust car and lorry drivers not to run me over.

    REPLY
  • Andrew Holt

    • November 17th, 2016 11:22

    Improving transport links, where all roads lead to Lerwick, will inevitably result in further rural depopulation. The real attitude of the SIC to public transport is there for all those with eyes to see. A waiting-room-free, draughty bus station and the daily, ludicrous morning and evening rush hour traffic at the north and south ends of Lerwick.

    REPLY
    • Duncan Simpson

      • November 17th, 2016 17:26

      Better transport links “will inevitably result in further rural depopulation”? Nonsense! Poor transport links has been one of the main driving factors of depopulation in the North Isles.

      I believe this same concern was raised by some in Faroe before new fixed links opened but then the opposite actually happened, people who had left moved back because it became much easier for them to commute!

      REPLY

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