The UK Government has confirmed £108m in funding to deliver hands-on training, community programmes and school initiatives that give people across England the skills, confidence and freedom to walk, wheel and cycle.
The multi-year funding, announced by Active Travel England (ATE) will include £78m for the Government’s flagship Bikeability programme, which has provided cycle training to more than 5m children since 2007. Local authorities across England will receive a share of the funding, with the Bikeability Trust providing support, advice and guidance.
Living Streets will receive £16.1m to deliver its Walk to School Outreach programme, working with primary schools to help more children and families make walking part of their daily routine.
Cycling UK will benefit from £8m to run the Big Bike Revival, which supports adults – particularly disabled people and women – to get back on their bikes.
Meanwhile Modeshift will receive £3.1m to run the STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition) travel planning award scheme and Active Travel Ambassadors programme, which empowers secondary school students to encourage peers to travel actively.
The package includes £2m to support England’s 10 National Park Authorities to continue to develop accessible active travel networks. National Park Authorities will also use the funding to advocate for their active travel agendas and establish a pipeline of schemes that can attract future construction funding.
Up to £1m will also be provided to selected ports and airports across England to develop active travel network plans. Project activities range from network planning and scheme design to public engagement and bespoke training, enabling employees and visitors to travel sustainably to these major employment sites.
“This is a practical investment that changes how people move every day. It’s a child gaining the confidence to ride to school, a family choosing to walk, or someone getting back on a bike because it finally feels possible. Those small shifts add up quickly – to healthier lives, lower costs, and less pressure on our roads and NHS,” said National Active Travel commissioner, Chris Boardman.
“We know that when people feel safe and supported, they make different choices – and that’s when you see whole communities start to move differently. This isn’t just about active travel in isolation. It strengthens public transport by improving the first and last mile, it gives families more affordable options, and it makes our streets safer for everyone. It’s one of the most effective investments we can make to improve everyday life and give people real choice in how they get around.”
“Our investment is about giving people of all ages the opportunity to choose healthier, more affordable and sustainable ways to travel. Active travel plays an important role in strengthening pride in place, creating streets and neighbourhoods that people feel safer in, more connected to, and proud to call home,” said Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood.
“The Government is investing £626m over the next 4 years, enabling local authorities to deliver vital walking and cycling schemes – enough for 500 miles of new walking and cycling routes and 170,000 more active trips per day. This funding will also help boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS.”
Regular walking and cycling have been shown to cut sick days, reduce pressure on the NHS, lower carbon emissions, and save people money on travel costs.
The three-year funding settlement gives delivery organisations the certainty they need to retain experienced staff and qualified instructors, enabling them to plan effectively, maximising value for money and reach across communities in England.
