UK Sets 2035 Targets for Children Walking or Cycling to School, Backed by £4.5 Billion Investment

Ministers set a target for at least 60% of children aged 5-16 in England to walk or cycle to school by 2035. The goal would require an increase from the 47% recorded in 2023 government data. The Department for Transport said 5,000 walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings will be built by 2030.

These will be delivered with local authorities and Active Travel England. 5 billion investment strategy will fund the work. The government also plans for a national walking and cycling network to appear on route-mapping apps within five years.

Ministers want at least half of all short trips in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2035. They separately set a 55% target for short trips, including stages of journeys such as walking or cycling to onward public transport. The current level for those short trips stands at 48%, according to the Department for Transport.

3 million more people being physically active in towns and cities. The government will spend £135 million on programmes that train children to walk and cycle safely and help schools develop travel plans. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the strategy sought to make active travel "a practical choice for millions more journeys".

Health Secretary James Murray said 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". The strategy includes plans for a national active travel network with consistent signage and online availability alongside the road network.