UK Government Sets Target for 60% of Children to Walk or Cycle to School by 2035
The UK government announced a new active travel strategy aiming for at least 60% of children in England to walk or cycle to school by 2035, up from the current 47%. The plan includes £4.5bn investment, 5,000 new walking and cycling routes, and 10,000 safer crossings by 2030. The initiative aims to improve public health, reduce car dependency, and create healthier communities.
The UK government has unveiled an active travel strategy targeting significant increases in walking and cycling among children and the general population by 2035. Currently, 47% of children aged five to 16 walk or cycle to school; the government aims to raise this to 60%. The strategy includes a £4.5bn investment package that will fund 5,000 walking, wheeling, and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings by 2030, delivered in partnership with local authorities and Active Travel England. Additionally, £135m will be allocated to training programs for children and school travel planning. The government also aims for 55% of all short trips in towns and cities to be made by active travel by 2035 (currently 48%), which officials estimate would engage 5.3m more people in regular physical activity. A national walking and cycling network will be integrated into route mapping apps within five years.
What different sources said
- The GuardianLeft
Ministers want 60% of pupils in England ‘actively’ travelling to school by 2035
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
Ministers want 60% of children walking or cycling to school by 2035
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