More than 50 groups connected to transport and public health are urging the UK government to set clear targets for active travel in England, warning that current plans are too vague. These groups include prominent organizations such as British Cycling, Cycling UK, the National Trust, and the British Medical Association.
The groups argue that the government's proposals for promoting walking and cycling, which aim to reduce reliance on cars, lack specificity and long-term commitment. Unlike transport planners for modes like road and rail, who have established funding and plans with clear objectives spanning decades, active travel initiatives in England often feel piecemeal and short-sighted.
The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has promised significant funding for walking, wheeling, and cycling, including a third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3). However, the groups are concerned that without specific targets, these initiatives will remain unachievable. They argue that CWIS3 should establish clear goals by 2030, including a target of at least 50% of trips under five miles in towns and cities being walked, wheeled, or cycled.
Critics say current objectives in the strategy are open to interpretation and lack measurable targets. The groups call for a national strategy that outlines coherent, connected, and accessible networks linking destinations such as rail and bus stations, hospitals, schools, and other important points of interest.
The groups believe clear targets will give local authorities confidence to invest and plan infrastructure, unlock private sector investment, and demonstrate progress towards national missions. Without reliable and safe routes, people cannot reasonably be expected to engage in active travel, which has a profound impact on their health, opportunities, and independence throughout life.
In contrast, some organizations have expressed concern that the Department for Transport is less engaged with active travel than it was under its predecessor, Louise Haigh, and are worried about losing momentum. However, these groups are not directly critical of the current plan and aim to engage positively while making a clear case for more action.
The government has committed £616m to Active Travel England by 2030 to deliver walking and cycling infrastructure nationwide. A DfT spokesperson defended the plans, stating that they encourage stakeholders and the public to provide input on how to achieve their goal of easy, safe, and accessible active travel by 2035.
The groups argue that the government's proposals for promoting walking and cycling, which aim to reduce reliance on cars, lack specificity and long-term commitment. Unlike transport planners for modes like road and rail, who have established funding and plans with clear objectives spanning decades, active travel initiatives in England often feel piecemeal and short-sighted.
The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has promised significant funding for walking, wheeling, and cycling, including a third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3). However, the groups are concerned that without specific targets, these initiatives will remain unachievable. They argue that CWIS3 should establish clear goals by 2030, including a target of at least 50% of trips under five miles in towns and cities being walked, wheeled, or cycled.
Critics say current objectives in the strategy are open to interpretation and lack measurable targets. The groups call for a national strategy that outlines coherent, connected, and accessible networks linking destinations such as rail and bus stations, hospitals, schools, and other important points of interest.
The groups believe clear targets will give local authorities confidence to invest and plan infrastructure, unlock private sector investment, and demonstrate progress towards national missions. Without reliable and safe routes, people cannot reasonably be expected to engage in active travel, which has a profound impact on their health, opportunities, and independence throughout life.
In contrast, some organizations have expressed concern that the Department for Transport is less engaged with active travel than it was under its predecessor, Louise Haigh, and are worried about losing momentum. However, these groups are not directly critical of the current plan and aim to engage positively while making a clear case for more action.
The government has committed £616m to Active Travel England by 2030 to deliver walking and cycling infrastructure nationwide. A DfT spokesperson defended the plans, stating that they encourage stakeholders and the public to provide input on how to achieve their goal of easy, safe, and accessible active travel by 2035.
. I mean, who doesn't love riding their bike or taking a walk in the countryside? It's good for you and all that 
. But seriously, if they don't have specific goals, how are people supposed to know what to aim for? And it sounds like local authorities are getting a bit frustrated with not having clear infrastructure plans 
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. It's like they want people to be able to get from the train station to their office without having to worry about how they're going to get there on foot or by bike 
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. But maybe they'll surprise us and actually manage to make walking and cycling more accessible and appealing... yeah right 
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. I mean, who needs specific targets or long-term commitment when you can just, like, wing it? 
It's not like the government is setting any real goals or timelines for these initiatives – they're just, literally, promising more funding without a clear plan 
. I'm sure it'll be super easy to just... make some stuff up and call it progress 
. But hey, at least there's £616m for Active Travel England by 2030 – that sounds like a whole lotta money spent on something that might not even happen 
Yeah, that's probably what'll happen anyway.
It's not rocket science, right?
. i mean, 50% of trips under five miles on foot or bike by 2030 sounds achievable but we need specifics, stat 
! it's not like they're asking for the moon here, just some basic infrastructure and clear goals 
WE NEED CLEAR TARGETS FOR ACTIVE TRAVEL IN ENGLAND OR ALL THESE INITIATIVES WILL JUST BE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! 
IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, PEOPLE! JUST GET IT TOGETHER! 
I mean, think about it, transport planners have been doing this for ages and we know exactly how to get around... meanwhile we've got some nice promises but no clear plan in sight 
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. It's easy to get excited about a new plan, but then nothing changes once the dust settles 
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they're right though the current proposals feel super vague and its hard to see how local auths will be able to invest in infrastructure without more clarity 
The transport groups in the UK are like, "Hey, government, get your act together! We need clear targets for active travel, or we'll just be pedaling around in circles...literally." 
they need clear targets and specific goals like the rail ppl do, not just throwin money at it and hopin somethin sticks 
we need networks connectin destinations like hospitals schools and bus stations too 
that's the way forward for our health and independence 
. We need clear targets for active travel in England ASAP! Without them, it's hard to believe that any real progress will be made 
. It's not just about individual benefits, it's about creating healthier communities that are more connected and accessible for everyone 
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Another transport plan coming down the pipe, but it's like they're trying to make us walk into a brick wall 
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like a lot of these groups are trying to get the gov to commit to some real targets for active travel, but i'm not sure if they're being realistic about how hard it is to make that happen. £616m over 7 years just doesn't seem like enough to make a dent in the UK's car-obsessed culture 
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. We need to think bigger and plan for the long haul 
. 50% of trips under five miles by 2030 is doable, right?