The amount of walking in England compares relatively well with other European countries but it lags when it comes to cycling. The average number of people walking and cycling has also not changed significantly in the last 15 years as can be seen in the National Travel Survey. 

On Friday (07/02/2020) the Department for Transport published its first progress report on the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) (2017). 

The objectives set out in the CWIS are to: 

• Increase cycling and walking activity;
• Reduce the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on England's roads; and,
• Increase the percentage of school children that walk to school.

The actions to achieve these objectives were split into four themes: financial investment, behaviour change, safety and partnership. 

See CIHT advice on achieving more sustainable developments here.

In summary, the progress report states:

"Of the 26 actions outlined in the CWIS, around half are substantively completed and many of the remaining actions are long term interventions that will continue until the end of 2020/21, such as the Access Fund, Bikeability, Cycle Rail and third sector behaviour change initiatives. A small number of actions have been superseded by more appropriate or more ambitious interventions." 

The full report and a complete table of progress of the 26 actions is available here. 

The announcement came together with an expansion of the Bikeability cycle training programme and continued investment in the Access Fund, Walk to School Outreach and Big Bike Revival behavioural change programmes.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/