Sustrans: Make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans have released a manifest that describes how the next government can improve the UK’s health, economy and neighbourhoods.

Research has shown that 50% of people say they would like to walk or wheel more and 43% of people want to cycle more, but all too often they are prevented from doing so by a combination of factors including inaccessible pavements, unsafe streets, poor links with public transport and the cost owning a bike.

Sustrans believe their five actions will give more people the chance to use active travel as an alternative to the car.  

The five actions that they are calling for are as follows:

1. Make our streets safe for children by:
a. keeping pavements free of cars,
b. developing safe routes to every school,
c. doubling the length of traffic-free and quiet road cycle routes.

2. Give everyone access to a bike by:
a. helping people excluded from the Cycle to Work scheme to buy a bike,
b. removing VAT from children’s cycle sales,
c. improving access to cycle parking at home.

3. Build developments where all the essentials are close by:
a. changing planning so that new homes are built near jobs, shops and other things people need,
b. prioritising safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes in new developments,
c. ensuring everyone can access nature.

4. Make the National Cycle Network work for everyone by:
a. committing to a five-year investment plan for the National Cycle Network,
b. supporting maintaining the Network so it is fit for the future,
c. supporting improved access to the Network so that it is for everyone.

5. Create a transport strategy that works for everyone by:
a. developing an integrated transport strategy for England,
b. shifting more resources into active travel and public transport,
c. focusing road investment on better maintaining existing streets.

Download the full manifesto here.

Photo: J Bewley/Sustrans