2026 Senedd election: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s asks for the next Welsh Government

Ahead of this year's upcoming election, we're calling on the next Welsh Government to be bold and to back walking, wheeling and cycling. Because when we change how we travel, we change everything.

A greener, fairer and more joyful world - one journey at a time.

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is the UK's leading charity making it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.

We've worked alongside communities across Cymru over decades to make everyday journeys safer, easier and more enjoyable.

But we know that leadership from government can make the biggest difference - through smart investment, joined-up policies and bold action.

Here are our six achievable, high-impact asks for the next Welsh Government, to help everyone in Cymru travel more actively and live healthier, greener lives.

Download our manifesto.

Our 6 manifesto asks

#1 Invest in safe and healthy travel

Match the leading cities and regions in Europe by committing 10% of the transport budget to support walking, wheeling and cycling.

We already have world-leading legislation here in Cymru, but active travel remains underfunded.

Good intentions need to be backed up with proper investment.

If funding is scarce or uncertain, the outcomes will be too.

People all across Cymru want joined-up, high quality pavements, footpaths and cycle routes in their community.

Long-term, consistent funding will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver real change.

Every year walking, wheeling and cycling in the UK's cities results in

£6.1 billion

in economic benefit

£268.5 million

saved for the NHS

21,426

serious long-term health conditions prevented

2.3 million

cars taken off the road every day

Two elderly women walking along Swansea Bay on the National Cycle Network on a sunny day.

#2 Enable walking, wheeling and cycling for everyone

Protect pavements so they are safe, accessible and free from obstruction.

Too many pavements are broken, cluttered or inaccessible, making walking, scooting and mobility aid use unsafe.

Cars parked on pavements force people into the road - stronger action is needed to stop this.

A dedicated Pavement Fund would target investment at local high streets, schools, health centres, stations and bus routes - giving everyone equal access.

People in Cymru want better pavements

74%

want more accessible pavements, like level surfaces and dropped kerbs

65%

of people want to give local councils the power to enforce pavement parking restrictions

Mark, Swansea

It's pavement parking which causes the most problems. Sometimes, there isn't enough room to squeeze alongside the car, particularly when people park all four wheels on the pavement.

My guide dog, Bobby, is trained to take me around cars when he spots them in the way, but sometimes this means me stepping into the road and walking into oncoming traffic.

I understand that some of our streets are just not wide enough to take cars parking along both kerbs, but for me it can be dangerous.

#3 Inspire future generations to walk, wheel and cycle

Every child in Cymru should be able to get to school safely by walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting.

Many children and young people rely on walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling to get to school and for other local journeys.

Evidence shows children want to travel actively but often feel unsafe doing so, and parents also cite road danger as the biggest barrier to active travel for children.

We need to ensure that children across Cymru have safe routes to school, including introducing safe, traffic-free school streets around the school gate.

Children in Cymru want to walk, wheel and cycle more

81%

of children want more traffic-free paths and quiet routes for walking and cycling

62%

of UK children walk, wheel or scoot five or more days a week

Rhian, Ysgol Penrhyncoch, Ceredigion

Penrhyncoch has really benefitted greatly from the Active Journeys programme.

It's encouraged pupils to be more active, and it's strengthened a sense of community through traveling actively and sustainably.

The support from the Active Journeys Officer has been invaluable and incredibly supportive, and the pupils have really enjoyed their journeys into school!

#4 Inclusive transport, by design

Make Cymru's transport system fully accessible by embedding the voices of disabled people in all transport decision-making.

Cymru's population is ageing and more people face mobility challenges that our transport systems are not ready for.

Disabled people in Cymru continue to face exclusion from public transport and from getting around their local areas.

We need to incorporate the voices and lived experiences of people facing the greatest challenges when it comes to designing the spaces where we live.

Access groups, led by disabled people, should have a stronger role in shaping, monitoring and delivering transport investment to ensure it's fit for purpose and improves equality.

Disabled people need a fairer deal

53%

of disabled people say the UK government isn't doing enough to help them be active

48%

of disabled people say transport isn't affordable

24%

feel that both local and national governments aren't prioritising accessibility

#5 Connect modes and make more journeys possible

Ensure safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes to every station and bus stop in Cymru.

Public transport journeys start and end with walking, wheeling or cycling, but too many routes to stops and stations are unsafe or inaccessible.

Connecting investment in safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes to improvements in our bus and train services will help more people to travel more easily.

Because we all deserve equal access to public transport.

Every community should have safe routes to local public transport

1 in 10 people

living in Cymru have no access to public transport where they live

23%

of people in Cymru do not have access to a private vehicle

A colourful bike resting on a signpost on NCN 4 in West Wales, with green forest and vegetation in the background.

#6 Cymru i gyd, village to village and coast to coast

Connect Cymru by linking rural and urban areas with a network of safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes, anchored by the National Cycle Network.

The National Cycle Network should form the backbone of the national active travel network.

Already providing over 1,600 miles of paths across every local authority in Cymru, the Network brings us closer to the people and places we love.

Better connectivity will strengthen local economies and tourism, making everyday life easier in our towns and villages.

New housing and development must also be planned around safe walking, cycling and public transport, and not lock in future car dependency.

The National Cycle Network is ready to connect Cymru

£1.7 billion

estimated economic benefit to local businesses from NCN users

83%

of NCN users say it improves their overall satisfaction with life

60%

of Cymru's population live within a mile of the Network

Sound good? Show your support by lending your voice

Read our manifesto below and ask your local candidates how they will champion walking, wheeling and cycling in your community.

Find out who your local candidates are.