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UK aims for 60% of children to walk or cycle to school by 2035
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Culture & Society

UK aims for 60% of children to walk or cycle to school by 2035

From BBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The UK government aims for 60% of children to walk or cycle to school by 2035 under a new active travel strategy.
  • The plan includes creating thousands of safer routes and a national walking and cycling network.
  • Millions more children are expected to travel actively, contributing to healthier communities and reduced pressure on the NHS.

The UK government has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly increase the number of children walking or cycling to school. Under the new active travel strategy, ministers aim for at least 60% of five-to-16-year-olds in England to travel by foot or bike within a decade.

Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don't feel they have safe and convenient options to do so.

— Heidi AlexanderThe Transport Secretary explained the motivation behind the new active travel strategy.

This initiative is backed by a "record" £4.5 billion investment strategy, which promises the creation of thousands of safer walking, wheeling, and cycling routes by 2030. The Department for Transport (DfT) plans to build approximately 5,000 routes and 10,000 "safer" crossings. Additionally, a "national walking and cycling network" will be integrated into route mapping apps within five years.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the strategy aims to make active travel a "practical choice for millions more journeys." Current data from 2023 indicates that 47% of children aged five to 16 usually walk or cycle to school. The government also aims for half of all short trips in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2035, an increase from the current 48%.

This is about creating healthier communities, helping households keep more money in their pockets and building a transport network that works better for everyone.

— Heidi AlexanderThe Transport Secretary outlined the broader benefits of the active travel plan.

The plan includes £135 million for programs that train children in safe walking and cycling practices and assist schools in developing travel plans. Ministers believe this shift will lead to 5.3 million more people being physically active in urban areas. Health Secretary James Murray highlighted the potential public health benefits, stating the plan would "help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS."

help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS

— James MurrayThe Health Secretary discussed the public health implications of the new strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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