Policy Observation: Active Travel Legibility and Cycling Infrastructure in Central Dundee

Arne Lindahl

Structural Issue Identified

Climate and transport policy frameworks increasingly prioritise walking and cycling as core components of urban decarbonisation strategies. However, the effectiveness of these policies depends not only on formal commitments but also on whether infrastructure is clearly visible, coherent, and legible within the everyday urban environment.

Where cycling infrastructure is difficult to identify or disconnected from surrounding routes, the intended behavioural shift toward active travel may remain limited.

What problem this work relates to

This observation relates to the policy challenge of translating active travel ambitions into everyday transport behaviour.

Scotland’s National Transport Strategy and Active Travel Framework emphasise walking and cycling as preferred modes for short journeys, while European climate policy frameworks such as Fit for 55 highlight modal shift as a key component of transport decarbonisation.

However, behavioural uptake depends heavily on whether infrastructure and route networks are clearly legible within the urban environment and perceived as safe and convenient by potential users.

Structural Adjustment & Implementation

An independent field observation was conducted across central Dundee, including streets surrounding the railway station, waterfront promenade routes, and the Dundee Cycle Hub facility.

The observation examined how cycling infrastructure appears at street level and whether the urban environment clearly communicates cycling as a prioritised transport mode.

Photographs and notes were recorded to document road layout, cyclist presence, visible cycle lanes, cycle parking availability, and the relationship between cycling facilities and surrounding road networks.

Observable Effect

Across the areas observed, cycling infrastructure appeared limited or difficult to identify. Several central streets showed no clearly marked cycle lanes, and road space remained visually dominated by motor vehicle traffic.

Cyclists were observed only occasionally, and bicycle parking infrastructure appeared relatively limited near key locations.

Although the Dundee Cycle Hub represents a clear investment in cycling support facilities, the surrounding street environment did not consistently communicate the presence of a connected cycling network.

These observations suggest a potential gap between policy ambition and street-level experience, where infrastructure visibility and network continuity may influence the practical uptake of active travel behaviour.

Relevant Institutions and Policy Frameworks

The Scottish Government (through its National Transport Strategy and Active Travel Framework) and the European Union (through its Fit for 55 framework) both set policy directions to decarbonize transport by prioritizing walking, cycling, and a shift away from cars.

Policy Implementation & Public Systems