Focus of work
Accessible, fun, positive measures such as school streets and family bike rides are popular and uncontested ways to frame traffic reduction. Friends of the Earth Scotland supports these initiatives in areas where it will make the most strategic impact; in areas where there’s little political will for active travel infrastructure and car use reduction. Friends of the Earth Scotland gives grassroots groups the skills and networks needed to put pressure on councils and build political support for the transport system we need.
Impact
Friends of the Earth Scotland are focusing their organisation and mobilisation in areas with high potential, but relatively little support, for active travel activism and infrastructure. Instead of focusing on places like Glasgow – where policy and civil society has matured rapidly and there is now real momentum – they will instead focus on places where, frankly, not much has been happening.
In their work, they highlight the urgent need for children and young people to walk and cycle in safety. This approach builds broad coalitions and has reaped rewards in recent months.