Sustrans publishes new Walking and Cycling Index

Sustrans just published its new Walking and Cycling Index; the Index is the biggest ever study on walking, wheeling, and cycling in urban areas across the UK and Ireland. Including data from 18 cities and regions, it provides fresh insight into behaviours and perspectives around active travel!

Sustrans, a UK-based charity focused on inclusive walking, wheeling, and cycling, just released its new Walking and Cycling Index. Previously known as "Bike Life," this year's report includes, for the very first time, walking and wheeling.

The Index aims to support local leaders in understanding and improving active travel for all, and contains data from cities like POLIS members Glasgow and Greater Manchester, but also Belfast, Inverness, Bristol, Liverpool City Region, Cardiff, Perth, Dublin Metropolitan Area, Southampton City Region, Dundee, Stirling, Edinburgh, Tyneside, Greater Cambridge, West Midlands, and Tower Hamlets, making it a valuable data source for inspiration. 

Each urban area reports on the progress made towards making cycling, walking, and wheeling more attractive choices for everyday urban travel. The data can help local and regional authorities make more informed policy decisions. In addition, it can support them justifying investment, and encouraging cities to develop ambitious action plans for active travel.

"The response to the pandemic has shown what is possible in redesigning our streets and neighbourhoods to put people first . We need to build on this and the opportunities to transform our cities and towns to help make walking, wheeling, and cycling more inclusive for everyone." - Sustrans

Some of the key findings of the report include:

• Walking and wheeling are the top modes of travel in urban areas: people walk or frequently wheel more than any other form of transport.
• Only 29% of all residents think the level of safety for children cycling is good.
• 65% of residents want cycle tracks that are physically protected from traffic.
• 70% of residents would want fewer cars on the pavement.

For more information about this Index, check Sustrans' official statement here.