Sustrans has outlined the five most important steps the next UK Government should take to make walking, wheeling and cycling more accessible, improve neighbourhoods and ensure that everyone can access the things they need to live well.
According to the charity, 50% of people want to walk or wheel more and 43% of people want to cycle more.
Giving more people the choice to walk, wheel and cycle will increase opportunities for work and education, save people money and boost the economy.
It will improve access to friends, family, and nature, supporting mental and physical wellbeing.
The five steps are:
1. Make our streets safe for children by:
a. keeping pavements free of cars,
b. developing safe routes to every school,
c. doubling the length of traffic-free and quiet road cycle routes.
2. Give everyone access to a bike by:
a. helping people excluded from the Cycle to Work scheme to buy a bike,
b. removing VAT from children’s cycle sales,
c. improving access to cycle parking at home.
3. Build developments where all the essentials are close by:
a. changing planning so that new homes are built near jobs, shops and other things people need,
b. prioritising safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes in new developments,
c. ensuring everyone can access nature.
4. Make the National Cycle Network work for everyone by:
a. committing to a five-year investment plan for the National Cycle Network,
b. supporting maintaining the Network so it is fit for the future,
c. supporting improved access to the Network so that it is for everyone.
5. Create a transport strategy that works for everyone by:
a. developing an integrated transport strategy for England,
b. shifting more resources into active travel and public transport,
c. focusing road investment on better maintaining existing streets.
To read more about the five steps Sustrans is calling on the next UK government to take to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle, visit: Sustrans.org.uk