An alliance of walking and cycling organisations has called on the government to make a serious commitment to improving the UK's "active travel" infrastructure.
In a statement, the Walking and Cycling Alliance – which is made-up British Cycling, Cycling UK, Living Streets, Sustrans, The Bicycle Association and The Ramblers – said improving opportunities for cycling and walking should form a crucial part of the government's strategy for preventative healthcare.
"Investing in safe, convenient and attractive conditions for cycling and walking is a hugely cost-effective way to deliver a wide range of benefits," the alliance said in a statement.
"After the Government admitted its current policies will only deliver a third of what is needed to meet its 2025 cycling targets, it’s now vital that it seriously commits to improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure, to benefit communities across the country and to meet its own environmental and health ambitions.
“We share the opinion of the previous transport minister that the walking target is too low.
"We need a new target which is much more ambitious. Interventions aimed at increasing levels of walking are very cost-effective and should complement infrastructure spending.
“With an ambitious target of ‘net zero’ carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, and with transport contributing to 34 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions, cycling and walking have a pivotal part to play. They will also be integral in helping to prevent a series of long-term illnesses from physical inactivity, including stroke and dementia.
“We are encouraged that the Government has commissioned research into what additional resources are needed to meet its cycling and walking targets.
“We now urge them to publish its findings and act on them as soon as possible.”
The statement comes just days after a report by the Transport Select Committee – entitled
Active travel: increasing levels of walking and cycling in England concluded that the government must lead the campaign to champion walking and cycling, if it wants to cut the huge cost of physical inactivity, climate change, air pollution and traffic congestion.
To read the committee's full report,
click here.
