Cycling UK has warned that the Government’s new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy risks falling short of its ambitions, despite welcoming its overall direction and funding commitments.
The charity said key gaps in the plan could undermine its ability to deliver meaningful change, and argued the strategy must go further to unlock cycling’s full social, economic and environmental benefits. It pointed to “persistent inequalities in who cycles” and said clearer action is needed to turn headline commitments into tangible progress.
Sarah Whitebread, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Cycling UK, has said, “The strategy is long-awaited, and we’re pleased to see ambitious targets on journeys to school and a continued focus on short journeys.
“However, it is disappointing not to see a commitment to closing the gender gap in cycling when we know that women make half as many trips by bike as men. Clear measures to address this would make cycling better for everyone.”
The criticism comes despite the strategy itself acknowledging that “safety remains the main barrier preventing more people from walking, wheeling and cycling, especially for women.”
The charity has also published a new report highlighting the benefits of investing in cycling infrastructure. “Our ‘Getting there with cycling report’, published this week, sets out the huge benefits investing in cycling infrastructure brings,” added Whitebread.
“The government has already committed to putting cycling on an equal footing with other transport options. It will now be for government and local authorities across the country to make that ambition a reality.”
The strategy, published by the Department for Transport, sets a target for 55% of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2035 and aims to increase the proportion of children travelling actively to school to 60%.
The government said its vision is for “walking, wheeling and cycling to be safe, easy and accessible choices for everyone”, with the target expected to result in 5.3 million more physically active people by 2035.
The Cycle to Work Alliance also welcomed the strategy, describing it as a significant endorsement of active travel while stressing that infrastructure investment must be matched by measures that make cycling affordable and accessible.
Steve Edgell, chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said: “The new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy is a major vote of confidence in active travel and recognises the role cycling can play in creating healthier communities, reducing emissions and improving connectivity.
“The investment in safer routes and crossings is hugely welcome, particularly as we know many people are deterred from cycling because of safety concerns.
“If we want more people choosing active travel, we need both safe infrastructure and affordable access, and this strategy is an important step towards delivering both.
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“The Cycle to Work Scheme has already helped well over 2 million people access a bike, and with 38% of participants new to commuting by bike, it demonstrates that when barriers to cycling are removed, people are keen to make the switch.
“By combining long-term investment in infrastructure with initiatives that make cycling more accessible, the Government has an opportunity to drive lasting behaviour change and help more people choose healthier, more sustainable journeys.”
Under CWIS3, the government says it wants to create a national active travel network by linking together existing and planned routes, while focusing initial investment on connecting homes, schools, high streets and transport hubs.
The strategy describes this as the first “locally-designed national strategy”, with every mayoral authority and large local authority expected to develop funded active travel network plans linked to growth, housing and health commitments.
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It is backed by a projected £4.55 billion of active travel investment between 2025 and 2030, including more than £1.1 billion delivered through Active Travel England and a further £3.4 billion from wider government funding streams.
The government estimates that achieving its targets would result in 5.3 million more physically active people by 2035, 600 million additional cycling trips, 2.2 billion more walking journeys and 700 million fewer vehicle miles travelled annually.
The National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said that “every journey made on foot, wheeling or cycling, delivers value — to the person making it, to the community around them, and to the economy. It keeps money in our pockets, makes us healthier and happier and boosts our local economy.
“Yet too many of our streets do not yet make those journeys feel safe, easy or inviting. Our Worth Every Step delivery plan will change that. And it starts with where we’ll get the biggest impact: a more active school run and simple zebra crossings to transform local trips.
“It’s time to make the cheapest and healthiest way to travel, the easiest way to travel. When streets work for people, everything else follows.”
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Ministers have also pledged to deliver 5,000 miles of new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings by 2030, while a national Safe Routes to School programme will seek to encourage more children to travel actively.
It also estimates that the strategy would generate 45,000 years of life gained by reducing premature deaths and prevent more than 4 million sick days every year.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don’t feel they have safe and convenient options to do so.
“Our new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy sets out how we will change that, with ambitious targets, record levels of investment and a clear plan to make active travel a practical choice for millions more journeys.
“This is about creating healthier communities, helping households keep more money in their pockets and building a transport network that works better for everyone.”
The publication marks the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy since the requirement was established under the Infrastructure Act 2015 and the first to be produced under the current Labour government.
It follows Labour’s pledge to put cycling “on an equal footing” with other forms of transport and comes amid renewed attention on active travel ahead of the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Departs in the UK.
