Why Scotland may have just passed a historic milestone on path to becoming a fit and healthy nation

Cycling is just one of several ways to embrace 'active travel' (Picture: Dan Kitwood) | Getty Images

Scotland may just have witnessed a landmark moment in our history: for the first time in Edinburgh, cars were outnumbered by bicycles during the morning rush hour on a key commuter route.

The figures, recorded on Leith Walk in May during Cycling Scotland's annual traffic survey, could have been a blip, an aberration, never to be repeated. However, they might also be a sign that, as a nation, we are beginning to embrace the health benefits of ‘active travel’.

There is no doubt that the ability to drive long distances – on trunk roads that really should all be dual carriageways, for safety and other reasons – is hugely important for a myriad of reasons. But, like desk jobs, cars have contributed to a sedentary lifestyle that doctors have been increasingly warning is seriously bad for our health.

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Fewer cars means less congestion

Human beings are not made for the seated position. To be healthy, we need to be active. Short journeys in cities, where traffic speeds are low, offer an opportunity to make a change that could be, quite literally, a life-saver. Making exercise part of the daily commute or another regular journey is a practical way to fit it into our busy modern lifestyles.

And that doesn’t have to mean cycling. It could be walking to work, walking to catch a bus or train, jogging, or even, for the more adventurous, rollerskating. A 30-minute walk at a brisk pace involves taking about half your recommended daily number of steps.

Fewer cars on the road also means less traffic congestion – helping people who need to drive get to where they are going more quickly – and reduced air pollution.

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The Scotsman has repeatedly called for a sustained, long-term campaign to turn this country into a ‘sporting nation’ because of the very real benefits to physical and mental health, the NHS and the economy that this would bring – a healthy workforce is a productive one. We would all be considerably healthier, happier and wealthier.

Active travel has a crucial role to play in achieving this ambition. Let’s hope this latest news is just one milestone of many more to come.