Last month, the Chief Medical Officer, Sally Davies, called for more to be done to encourage active travel such as walking and cycling. It is hoped that encouraging people to travel in a way that benefits their health will result in a reversal of the recent trend towards obesity.Leisure Cycling
Davies also remarked that there is an unfortunate disparity between the public perception of cycling and the tangible health benefits that accompany it. She noted that “Fear of death or serious injury when walking and cycling presents a substantial barrier to improving uptake”.
Our Road Share Campaign proposing the introduction of presumed liability can help foster a culture of travel that encourages road users to be more respectful and more responsible. We hope to emulate the system seen in continental countries, where presumed liability means that drivers are given a clear message regarding their responsibility to protect vulnerable road users from harm.
As Davies noted, “the overall health benefits of cycling are 7 times greater than the risks”. With presumed liability being key to changing the perception of cycling as dangerous, our campaign hopes to move forward and encourage a greater uptake of cycling and a healthier lifestyle across Scotland.