News / Transport
Over half of people in Bristol want more investment in active travel
Over half of people in Bristol think there should be more investment in walking and cycling infrastructure in the city, a new report has found.
64 percent of Bristol residents said they would like to see more government spending on walking and wheeling (wheeled mobility aids), compared to 55 percent in 2021, according to the report from the national walking and cycling charity, Sustrans.
The charity concluded that “more investment” was needed in active travel in Bristol, fully integrated with improved public transport, to “provide a realistic alternative” for those who don’t have access to a car or who are struggling to afford one.
is needed now More than ever
The Bristol Walking and Cycling Index, which is released every two years, reveals public travel habits and attitudes as well as outlining infrastructure developments and the impact of walking, wheeling and cycling across the UK.
The report, which surveyed more than 1,000 people in Bristol, and 21,000 people across the UK, also threw up some other interesting findings.
Walking is the main mode of travel in Bristol, with 55 per cent of residents walking at least five days a week, and 65 per cent of residents support banning vehicles parking on the pavement.
Half of residents (51 per cent) would like to walk or wheel more and, in comparison, only 13 per cent of residents want to drive more, while over a quarter (29 per cent) want to drive less.
The report found that pavement parking is an important issue to Bristol residents, with 65 per cent supporting banning vehicles parking on the pavement – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol residents also said they wanted better streets and neighbourhoods, to make them safe, welcoming and comfortable for everyone to walk and wheel.
Example were given to Bristol residents of changes they thought would help them walk or wheel more:
- 74 per cent of people in Bristol chose nicer places along streets to stop and rest, like more benches, trees and shelters
- 72 per cent chose better pavement accessibility, like level surfaces, dropped kerbs at crossing points
- 71 per cent chose wider pavements
- 71 per cent chose more frequent road crossings, with reduced wait times.
Sustrans’ research also found that walking and wheeling is estimated to have prevented 15,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 729 serious long-term health conditions in Bristol in 2023.
Responding to the report, cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander said: “We have made great progress in active travel in Bristol over recent years.
Changes to Park Row will see improved accessibility for cycling, walking and wheeling – image: Bristol City Council
“Schemes that we as a council have delivered have improved the accessibility and quality of walking, wheeling and cycling trips to link into the wider network.
“We’re planning to deliver similar schemes that achieve benefits for both active and sustainable transport users while enhancing local areas.
“For active travel to be a success, we must make sure people can access this infrastructure and feel safe to walk, wheel and cycle especially within their own communities.
“We need to continue to encourage more people to make active trips in Bristol to help reduce congestion, create healthier communities and contribute to achieving our climate and air quality goals.”
A spokesperson for Sustrans in the West of England, added that it was time for local and national government to “listen to the people of Bristol”.
“Walking or wheeling is a mode of transport that is often overlooked, despite being the most used in Bristol,” they said.
“Making this easier for everyone has the potential to impact a huge proportion of the city’s residents.
“Residents have repeatedly told us that they would like to see more investment in safer and more accessible active travel, as well as public transport. They have also said that they would like to drive less.
“We need to listen to the people of Bristol. We need more investment in active travel, fully integrated with improved public transport, to provide a realistic alternative for those who don’t have access to a car or who are struggling to afford one.”
You can read the full report here.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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