Active travel charity aims to make National Cycle Network suitable for a 'sensible 12-year-old' alone
Sustrans release report showing huge increase in active travel on Network during pandemic
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Active travel charity Sustrans says it aims to make the National Cycle Network suitable for a "sensible 12-year-old travelling alone" in an updated report.
The charity manages 12,786 miles of the UK-wide cycling and walking network, and says that more than 100 million more trips were taken on it during the pandemic than the year before.
In an update to Paths for Everyone (opens in new tab), Sustrans have released their "three-stage master plan", which seeks to create a "comprehensive and consistent Network, which connects to every settlement of 10,000 or more people".
Just 271 miles, or 2%, of the network is owned by the charity. The authors state: "We can only deliver our strategic vision for the Network by working with governments, local authorities, key local stakeholders, our volunteers and communities to make sure these deliver nationally, regionally and locally."
Only a third is currently traffic-free, which is something the charity is aiming to improve on; the report makes the point that these are ideal for wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters as well as those on bikes or walking.
The authors write: "The unique nature of these mostly quiet spaces connecting countryside with towns and cities makes them useful for those traveling in ways where separation from traffic is welcome, or even life-changing."
About 121 million more trips were taken on the Network in 2020/21 than 2019/20, and at the height of pandemic in 2020, the Network carried approximately 4.9 million users over 764.8 million trips.
3,733 miles of the Network was removed or reclassified in 2020 for being inaccessible or on safety grounds. It means that from 16,519 miles in 2018, the Network has been reduced to 12,786 miles in 2020.
Xavier Brice, the charity's CEO, said: “In 2018, Sustrans set a new vision for the National Cycle Network and 15 concrete steps to realise it when we published ‘Paths for Everyone’. Our ‘Three Years On’ report highlights the progress we’ve made working with our many partners, volunteers, and supporters, and celebrates the Network as a vital part of the UK’s green infrastructure.
“The huge increase we’ve seen in the number of people relying on the Network for exercise and travel has proved just how crucial these routes are in connecting people to places and to each other, providing family-friendly spaces and boosting local economies.
“In times of public health crisis, the climate emergency and substantial rises in the cost of living, active travel has never been more important. The Network was there for the public when it was needed throughout the pandemic, and it must be protected and developed to ensure it will be there for the future.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s senior news and feature writer – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling on tarmac, he's happy. Before joining Cycling Weekly he spent two years writing for Procycling, where he interviewed riders and wrote about racing, speaking to people as varied as Demi Vollering to Philippe Gilbert. Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.
-
-
Meet The Joker, a brake-less, chain-less crit racing bike
New York City-based Priority Bicycles today launched a fixed-gear, 70T belt-drive criterium and track racing machine
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Pirelli claims updated P Zero Race TLR tire is 24 per cent faster than before
The tire giant also claims that aramid fibres used improve puncture resistance. Wider tyres on the way
By Rob Spedding • Published
-
A car free future? Polling shows half of Londoners want a city without cars
More than two thirds of people polled in London, Paris and New York favour a reduction in cars, survey shows
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Road Rage: Cars v Bikes: BBC programme presents alarming portrait in rehashed debate
The BBC's latest Panorama documentary packs a shocking punch in road safety argument
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
One in three drivers think cyclists should be banned from public roads
Research performed for BBC's Panorama finds that a quarter of motorists have knowingly close-passed a cyclist
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Plans to introduce new 'death by dangerous cycling' law 'frustrating in isolation'
Transport secretary Grant Shapps says law will tackle "selfish minority" of cyclists
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Do you have a bike in your kitchen? Campaign launched to highlight lack of proper bike storage in London
Clean Cities Campaign says more than 60,000 people are waiting for a bike hangar space in London
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Council decision to close 'cycling utopia' Snake Pass branded 'ludicrous'
The A57 between Sheffield and Glossop was closed to motor traffic due to a landslide, but that has now been extended to cyclists and walkers
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Brussels and Paris move to limit cars in city centres
Belgian capital aims to limit cars from this summer, centre of Paris will be largely car-free from 2024
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Route Plan Roll: The London cycling map that seeks to 'fill in an information gap'
'It's still very hard to understand: is that a place I want to be cycling or not?'
By Adam Becket • Published