Smarter Choices, Smarter Places is Paths for All’s grant programme, that encourages people to change travel behaviours. The aim is to increase levels of walking and cycling; encourage uptake of sustainable transport, such as buses, trains, or car-share; and reduce single-passenger car journeys undertaken in Scotland.
Funded by Transport Scotland, the programme has two grants types. The £5 million Local Authority fund is now in its 5th year and the Open Fund aimed at community, third and public sector organisations, which offers £2 million in total and is in its second year.
The comprehensive report details the extensive work undertaken across 31 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities to support increases in active and sustainable transport using SCSP funding.
The report also outlines the impact of this activity to: reduce climate change impacts, improve health and wellbeing, increase capacity of the sustainable travel sector in Scotland, support walking and cycling to school, reach minority groups and people in deprived areas, and develop innovative Active Trave Hubs.
The programme has been successful in engaging with local authorities and organisations to develop bespoke local programmes which suit local needs.
The report features a number of innovative examples and case studies giving inspiration and telling of the difference these projects make to the lives of local people. Examples include: Art Walks in Edinburgh which helps people use art to rediscover their local area on foot and re-think taking their car for short journeys, and Velocity in Inverness which supports women with mental health issues to increase their use of cycling as main mode of transport for short journeys.