When you think of Holland, many people think of clear skies, canals, and bicycles.
And now Glasgow could be set to follow in the Dutch tracks, with the announcement of plans for its own “mini-Holland”, with a cycling-friendly neighbourhood in the district of Woodside.
It’s one of five projects awarded £22 million by Transport Scotland in an effort to get people cycling and walking rather than driving, according to the BBC.
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Edinburgh, Inverness, and Stirling will also benefit from funding for the “active travel” projects, targeted at the busiest parts of Scotland’s cities.
Scotland's cities getting serious about cycling thanks to new Scot government funding https://t.co/lugAkjbxIc Doubling of investment pic.twitter.com/YCLXUBJgu6
— cyclistsinthecity (@citycyclists) September 18, 2017
And the wheels are already in motion — each project is due to kick off in the next two months.
"Our ambitious Active Nation initiative is designed to encourage many more of us to make everyday and leisure journeys sustainably — on foot and by bike,” said Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.
"To achieve this vision, we are doubling our investment in active travel, from £40 million to £80 million each year, demonstrating our commitment to make our towns and cities more walking and cycling-friendly,” he added.
Delighted to announce all 5 of the Community Links Plus projects will be funded! Well done Edinburgh (x2), Glasgow, Inverness & Stirling!
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) September 18, 2017
The funding has come from the Community Links PLUS design competition, hosted by the Scottish Government and Sustrans Scotland, that aims to “restore the balance of Scotland’s streets in favour of people walking and cycling.”
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Inverness will see cycle-friendly routes completed by summer 2020; Stirling Council plans to complete its environmental improvement project by 2021; and Woodside’s “mini-Holland” is set to be completed by summer 2021.
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Two schemes in Edinburgh — which include a “Meadows to George Street” project to improve the route for pedestrians and cyclists — are planned to be completed by summer 2022.
Scotland is starting to get an environmental name for itself. The country shut down its last coal mine in March 2016, and wind energy powered every single Scottish household for six months this year. Meanwhile, the Isle of Eigg, part of the Scottish Inner Hebrides, now runs off renewable energy.