Greater Cambridge has retained its crown as the UK’s leading city region for walking and cycling, but 50 per cent of its residents would like to cycle more, according to a new report.
The report found that active travel has taken up to 110,000 cars off the road and helped to prevent 987 serious long-term health conditions each year.
Active travel has also saved 27,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the report – that’s equivalent to about 63,000 people taking flights from Stansted to Tenerife.
The report was produced by national walking and cycling charity Sustrans in partnership with the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP).
“It is truly inspiring to see the level of cycling, walking and wheeling enjoyed in Greater Cambridge. The area was already the record holder but has managed to increase the number of journeys travelled actively by 30 million over two years,” said Clare Maltby, Sustrans England director, Midlands and East.
She added: “Good planning and good investment mean that there are quality routes for people to use. And respondents have shown there is appetite for much more.”
Ms Maltby said the organisation would continue to work with the GCP to see this delivered.
The Walking and Cycling Index (Formerly Bike Life) is the biggest assessment of walking and cycling in urban areas in the UK and Ireland. It is delivered in collaboration with 23 cities and urban areas every two years.
A survey carried out as part of the Walking and Cycling Index found that more than 155 million walking, cycling and wheeling trips were made in Cambridge in the past year. This was a significant increase on the 126 million journeys made two years previously.
The study also found that 56 per cent of people walk five days a week or more, and 45 per cent of residents ride a bike once a week or more.
But despite the high levels of participation already taking place, there could be even more people who want to ditch the car.
Findings showed that 28 per cent of people would like to use their car less, with 44 per cent saying they often used their car because they felt they had no alternative.
The latest survey explored the barriers to active travel and asked residents what might encourage them to participate more in walking, cycling, and wheeling.
There was strong support for the creation of more paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians (70 per cent), even if it’s at the expense of cars. There was also demand for more government spending in the area on walking and wheeling (56 per cent).
The report also found evidence that people want to see the creation of more low-traffic neighbourhoods, with 64 per cent in support.
Responding to the survey, Colin said: “Walking is vital for my physical and mental wellbeing. We are fortunate in the Cambridge area to have a really good variety of walking routes, many accessible with public transport. I have limited sight and have real problems with overhanging vegetation, steps, and uneven pavements.
“Without a proper crossing, I find it hard to cross the road, and badly parked e-scooters and cyclists on pavements do, at times, cause problems. It would help me if there was more segregation of walkers and cyclists on shared paths as I find that a minority of the latter pass too closely and too fast.”
Another resident Sasha added: “I’ve lived in Cambridge almost my whole life, and cycled through Chesterton a thousand times – the bike lane was much needed. I used to bike with a child trailer (now with a back bike seat) and my route is fairly easy to and from school. I bike down Chesterton Road, around the roundabout, down Chesterton High Street leading to Green End Road.
“These roads are very busy in the morning and around the end of the school day which can make it difficult, especially having to navigate around waiting parents outside of the schools and kids coming in and out. I feel like there should be more speed bumps down Green End Road, because speeding cars are still a problem.”
The survey of 1,136 residents was conducted from March to June 2023 by social research organisation NatCen and is representative of all residents, not just those who walk, wheel or cycle.
Cllr Elisa Meschini, GCP chair and deputy leader of the county council, said: “I am really pleased to see so many people continue to walk, wheel and cycle across our area. But it also demonstrates continued high support for further investment in walking, wheeling, and cycling and how there is more work to be done.
“Reporting every two years, the Walking and Cycling Index helps us to further understand what people want, and need, to get out of their cars. Its findings show that public support is shifting towards measures which encourage more walking and cycling. The GCP and county council are committed to improving people’s journeys by providing safer and more sustainable travel options, including new walking, cycling and equestrian routes such as the Greenways, Chisholm Trail and Abbey Chesterton Bridge.”
