Motion 94
Accessible Cities
“That this Congress notes that recent changes to the layout of Glasgow city centre, with the emphasis on ‘cycle lanes,’ has had a negative impact on disabled people. Changes, particularly around cycle lanes, have made the city dangerous for blind and disabled people.
“Congress notes that whilst the concept of ‘shared spaces’ is a positive approach to bringing footfall back into the cities, they cannot be to the detriment of blind and disabled people. New layouts encourage roadways and public spaces to be shared between pedestrians and road users, this has meant removing kerbs, pedestrian crossings, and textured surfaces in order to make way for more, or wider, cycle lanes.
“Congress notes the issue of removing or re-locating pedestrian crossings means pedestrians have to walk across a cycle lane before they can access the pedestrian crossing. This relies on the pedestrian hearing the cyclist approach, or that the cyclist sees the pedestrian. These new layouts also rely on cyclists adhering to the rules of the road and the Highway Code.
“Congress believes inadequate infrastructure is discriminating against disabled people when they move around their communities.
“Congress calls upon the STUC to:
- Campaign for an urgent review of the layout of cycle lanes in Glasgow City Centre, the impact they have on the disabled community, and their ability to travel safely across their own city;
- Ensure the voices of disabled people are heard when decisions are taken about infrastructure and that accessibility is made a priority;
- Support disability activists in their calls for enforcement of the Highway Code for cyclists who can present a considerable danger to blind and disabled people in Glasgow; and
- Work with the Disabled Workers’ Committee in lobbying for an audit of all Scottish city centres to measure their disability capacity and where improvements can be made.”
Mover: Community
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