National Planning Policy Guideline 17: Transport and Planning (NPPG 17) identifies walking and cycling as being the modes to which highest priority should be given in promoting sustainable travel. In such circumstances, the Council is keen to ensure that the needs of pedestrians and cyclists are catered for on the existing road network, in off-road locations and in new development.

Glasgow is the hub of the National Cycle Network in Scotland, with the Glasgow-Carlisle, Glasgow-Inverness and Glasgow-Edinburgh routes meeting at the northern end of Bells Bridge by the River Clyde near the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. In order to increase the level of cycling within the City, the Council has approved the development of a c.375 km City-wide network of cycle routes. Much of this will be dedicated space on existing roads or on purpose built cycleways. This is intended to enable attractive, safe and direct access to most City destinations.

Wherever possible, sections of the network, and links to the network, will be developed through planning consents. Development proposals located beside or on proposed cycle routes will be expected to incorporate sections of the cycle network, or links to it, as part of the development.

Elsewhere, development proposals should be designed to facilitate and promote walking and cycling wherever possible. NPPG 17 states that cycling should be integrated into the design of new developments and that a cycle audit should be undertaken. There would also be obvious benefits in incorporating an assessment of the needs of pedestrians into such an exercise.

For large developments, an audit will be undertaken as part of a Transport Assessment (see Supplementary Guide 4: Transport Assessments).

1. The Council is committed to the development of a Glasgow Cycle Network comprised of those routes shown on the Glasgow Cycle Network Map, available from Development and Regeneration Services.

2. Developers should ensure that new developments are designed to facilitate and promote walking and cycling.

3. Development proposals located on, or beside, proposed city cycle network routes will be expected to incorporate sections of the cycle network, or links to it. Similarly, where a new development impinges on the line of an existing route, the route will be re-instated or an acceptable alternative provided. Routes should be constructed to a standard and design acceptable to the Council.

4. Major destinations within new developments should be located where they would help minimise journey lengths for pedestrians and cyclists.

5. Pedestrian and cycle routes within new developments should be well lit so as to create a safe and attractive environment.

6. Wherever possible, developments should provide direct access to public transport facilities, the existing footpath network and the wider city cycle network.

7. In residential developments in particular, a key consideration should be to maximise the opportunities for safe access to nearby greenspace, shopping, schools, health facilities and other amenities for all pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children, the aged and people with disabilities.

8. In new development which is likely to be characterised by predominantly people-based movements (e.g. retail, office, leisure, residential, educational etc.), the movement of pedestrians and cyclists should be given priority over vehicular traffic unless there are exceptional reasons why this should not be the case.

9. The Council will look favourably upon requests to adopt footpaths and cycle routes that conform to the standards outlined in the Roads Development Guide.

Developers wishing guidance on the matters that may require to be addressed in new development should contact Development and Regeneration Services. Developers requiring help or advice with regard to the design and construction standards of footpaths and cycle routes should contact Land Services, Richmond Exchange, 20 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 7AD.