The UK’s ambitions for active travel are well established, but translating policy into coherent, safe and widely used networks remains a persistent challenge. Developed using key insights from CIHT and guidance from Active Travel England (ATE), the Department for Transport’s draft third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3), highlights a consistent theme: the barriers to delivery are less about vision and more about integration, consistency and execution.

At a strategic level, CWIS3 places increasing emphasis on accessibility, integration and equity. This marks an important shift away from urban-focused interventions towards a more holistic understanding of movement, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. 

“To succeed, the strategy must ensure accessibility for all, integrate with public transport, and provide rural-sensitive measures,” said Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive Officer of CIHT.

Active travel for all

Ensuring that active travel networks serve not only dense city centres, but also smaller communities is critical if mode shift targets are to be realised. However, this raises complex planning challenges, particularly around connectivity to existing transport systems and the viability of infrastructure in lower-demand areas.

ATE’s guidance reinforces the importance of quality and consistency in scheme design. Too often, cycling and walking infrastructure has been delivered in a piecemeal fashion, resulting in fragmented networks that fail to provide the continuity required for everyday journeys. 

The guidance is clear that schemes must be safe, direct, coherent and attractive if they are to encourage behavioural change. This places significant responsibility on local authorities and designers to move beyond minimum compliance and towards best practice, particularly in relation to junction design, segregation and accessibility for all users.

However, as CIHT’s Overcoming Barriers To Active Travel Implementation report explains, the challenges are not purely technical, with institutional and cultural factors continuing to limit progress. 

A lack of cross-sector collaboration between transport planners, public health bodies and land-use planners can result in missed opportunities to embed active travel within wider development strategies. Similarly, short-term funding cycles and uncertainty around long-term investment undermine the ability of local authorities to plan and deliver comprehensive networks.

“Amongst our recommendations are the need to have consistent national direction and political support if we are to realise the true benefits of active travel schemes,” says Percy. “The Integrated National Transport Strategy offers real potential to unlock the health benefits from a better integrated national transport system in England.

Engage and communicate

Public perception also remains a critical factor. While there is broad support for active travel in principle, specific schemes can encounter local opposition, particularly where road space reallocation is involved. CIHT highlights the importance of meaningful engagement and clear communication of benefits, not only in terms of carbon reduction, but also public health, air quality and economic vitality. Without this, even well-designed schemes risk being delayed or diluted.

The solutions set out across the three sources point towards a more integrated and strategic approach. Long-term, stable funding is essential to move from isolated interventions to network-based planning. 

Embedding active travel within spatial planning processes can ensure that new developments are designed around walking and cycling from the outset, rather than retrofitted at greater cost and complexity. At the same time, strengthening design standards and ensuring consistent application through ATE oversight can help to build public confidence in the quality and safety of schemes.

Ultimately, delivering safe and effective active travel networks requires a shift in mindset as much as policy. The tools and frameworks are increasingly in place, but real progress will depend on aligning institutions, funding and public support behind a shared vision. Without this, the UK risks falling short of its own ambitions. But with it, active travel can become a genuinely viable and attractive option for everyday journeys.

Read more: CIHT’s advice on overcoming barriers to implementing active travel schemes 

Image: Cyclists wait at a junction in London, UK Credit: Shutterstock