Our 2025-50 strategy

We have a strategy to make it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle

Our 2050 goals

Our strategic framework outlines what we’re doing in the years ahead to hit our ambitious 2050 goals. 

We’ve set ourselves bold targets because we believe that, together, as a people-powered movement, we can lead the change we want to see. 

Our three strategic goals are:

  • Building our National Cycle Network to help bring everyone closer to the places and people they love through walking, wheeling and cycling 
  • Connecting thriving neighbourhoods where everyone is free to live and move with ease  
  • Empowering millions to walk, wheel and cycle for their health, their wellbeing, and their world.

Download our strategy report

Read our full 2025-50 strategy report and discover our targets for the next five years.

Download our strategy

What our goals actually mean

Alongside each of our strategic goals, we have ambitious targets we want to achieve to help make each goal a reality.

Building our National Cycle Network
  • Fix it: A seamless, safe and stunning Network built for everyone
  • Love it: Locally loved routes, embraced by all
  • Green it: A Network that rebuilds nature and connects everyone to it
  • Connect it: Link up routes with transport options, communities and destinations.
Connecting thriving neighbourhoods
  • Schools and children: Make it possible for every child to walk, wheel and cycle to school
  • New homes: Help new homes and communities thrive by putting walking, wheeling and cycling at the heart of every new housing development
  • Buses and trains: Make longer journeys possible for everyone by making it easy to walk, wheel or cycle to catch a bus, tram or train.
Empowering millions to walk, wheel and cycle
  • Inclusivity: Walking, wheeling and cycling will be safe, accessible and affordable for everyone
  • Influencing: We will build unstoppable political will, making active travel not just policy, but a priority for those in power
  • Movement of people: Millions more people support our purpose and actively donate and volunteer to further our cause.
A woman smiling wearing a walking jacket.

Sophia, founder of walking group, Steppin Sistas

It was important for me to create this walking group for black women because I didn’t see any black women or women of colour walking in certain places where I used to walk.

[The National Cycle Network] has helped my group tremendously. Without these paths it would be difficult to do these walks.

Why our strategy matters

Walking, wheeling and cycling might sound like small actions. But they add up to something much, much bigger. 

They ripple out and change everything. 

For too many people in the UK, people-powered movement is not possible. 

It's not safe, accessible or affordable.

And people who live in deprived areas, people who are disabled, people who are older, and younger, and women are those most often excluded from being able to walk, wheel or cycle. 

So, at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust* we focus on removing these barriers so that everyone can experience the transformation to their health, wellbeing and world from the simple act of being easily able to walk, wheel or cycle. 

Our charity makes change happen by combining expertise with an active attitude and a commitment to getting things done. 

Because people-powered movement changes everything. 

*Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is the new name for Sustrans. The new name for our charity represents our purpose and makes it easier for everyone to understand what we do.