A new report by Sustrans, Paths for Everyone: Three years on report, details the progress that has been made on the National Cycle Network (NCN) as well as the social, environmental and economic benefits it brings.
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The report looks at the progress of the NCN, which Sustrans are custodians of, over the last three years (2018-2021) and gives details of the improvements that have been made to the network that will be made up to 2040. The NCN saw a large increase in use by the public throughout the pandemic with 121 million more people using the network in 2020 than in 2019 – a 19% increase. In addition, the report also detailed that 72% of users stated the Network is their best option for transport, with 95% of using it for exercise. The report also outlines that cycleways and pathways in the UK have contributed around £1.7 billion in local business benefits.
There have also been large scale improvements to make the NCN accessible to all, with 315 barriers either removed or redesigned as well as a new strategy to help accelerate these works. There has also been a large increase in the quality of the network, with 61% of the NCN’s network classed as ‘Good’ in November 2021 compared to 53% in November 2018. However, Sustrans outlines that there is still much to do with there a need to allow for equity of access for users and to achieve the vision of providing a connection by the NCN between every community of at least 10,000 people in the UK.
Xavier Brice, CEO at Sustrans, said:
“In 2018, Sustrans set a new vision for the National Cycle Network and 15 concrete steps to realise it when we published ‘Paths for everyone’.
"Our ‘Three years on’ report highlights the progress we’ve made working with our many partners, volunteers, and supporters, and celebrates the Network as a vital part of the UK’s green infrastructure.
“The huge increase we’ve seen in the number of people relying on the Network for exercise and travel has proved just how crucial these routes are in connecting people to places and to each other, providing family-friendly spaces and boosting local economies.
“In times of public health crisis, the climate emergency and substantial rises in the cost of living, active travel has never been more important.
"The Network was there for the public when it was needed throughout the pandemic, and it must be protected and developed to ensure it will be there for the future.”
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