A new report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) has identified barriers preventing many people from enjoying the benefits of active travel, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.
The Active Travel and Social Justice Report, which was was compiled by Dr. Tom Cohen and Dr. Ersilia Verlinghieri of the University of Westminster’s Active Travel Academy, is divided into three main sections: The Barriers, The Facilitators and Recommendations
Data from the Sustrans Walking and Cycling Index shows lower active travel participation rates among women, disabled people, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and minority ethnic groups. For example, disabled people took 28% fewer walking or wheeling trips than non-disabled people in 2020.
The report highlights that road safety is a key issue, with inadequate infrastructure, speeding, and aggressive driving discouraging active travel. Studies show that people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds in deprived areas are over three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured while walking, while the physical risks of cycling in a busy urban environment a major deterrent, particularly for women, children, and older individuals, who would prefer segregated cycling infrastructure.
Disabled cyclists are further hindered by the lack of appropriate infrastructure such as dropped kerbs.
The cost of cycling is a barrier in itself but beyond that, storage of cycles is particularly problematic for low-income families. Compounding this is the fact that the Cycle to Work scheme is not available for low-income earners.
The cost issue is an even greater problem for disabled people because of the extra cost involved in acquiring appropriate cycles.
The third barrier identified is a cultural one, best summed up with 93% of women cyclists said that drivers had deliberately used vehicles to intimidate them and 77% said this happened at least once a month.
The report recommends the following five actions:
- Reduce financial barriers to cycling
- Tackle pavement parking
- Data collection to enable sound monitoring and evaluation
- Ensure UK-wide access to free cycle training, and widen its reach
- Make Inclusive Mobility a minimum standard for designing infrastructure
Fabian Hamilton MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Party Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) said: ‘Walking, wheeling, and cycling should be available to everyone, but right now, too many people are excluded. If we are serious about increasing active travel, we must address the systemic barriers that prevent millions from participating. This report provides clear, actionable solutions to make active travel truly inclusive. We will be working hard in Parliament to push for change.’
Caroline Julian, Brand and Engagement Director at British Cycling, commented: ‘Cycling has the power to transform lives, but too often, the people who stand to benefit the most are unable to take part. The barriers outlined in this report are therefore a matter of social justice that need to be addressed now.
‘We must ensure that cost, infrastructure, and safety concerns make walking, wheeling, and cycling truly accessible to all. Together with our partner, Leigh Day, we wholeheartedly support these recommendations and urge national and local governments to adopt them with urgency.’
Naseem Akhtar, CEO at Saheli Hub, said: ‘Community organisations like Saheli Hub play a vital role in empowering women, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, to access walking, wheeling, and cycling. However, the biggest barrier we face is the lack of long-term funding. Short-term grants force us into a cycle of uncertainty, limiting our ability to build sustainable, impactful programmes.
‘Community-led initiatives are often best placed to reach underrepresented groups, but we cannot continue this important work without financial stability.’
Rory McCarron, Senior Associate Solicitor and member of Leigh Day’s cycling team said: ‘The APPGCW continues to do really important work, and I wholeheartedly welcome the recommendations made within this report to remove barriers for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
‘As we continue to champion active travel, it is vital that we ensure the infrastructure is in place for our communities – so that everyone feels safe and confident for this to be a realistic option and for all to enjoy the many benefits of active travel which the report endorses.’
The full report can be read here.
Photos: Wheels For Wellbeing