In the run up to May’s Holyrood and Senedd elections, we’re calling for smart investment and policies to make walking, wheeling and cycling possible for more people. Mark Shields, our Head of Policy and Communications for Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland, takes you through our charity’s manifesto proposals.
We're asking our next governments to be forward-thinking, and put active travel at the heart of their plans for a fairer, healthier future. Credit: Michael Kelly.
Elections are around the corner for those of us living in Scotland and Cymru. And it’s about to get noisy.
Transport is an area where most of the policy and funding decisions are taken by the national governments in Cardiff and Edinburgh.
But as parties jostle to win over potential voters, making simple commitments to give more people the freedom to safely walk, wheel or cycle from A to B might seem almost trivial amongst the bluster.
Unsurprisingly, we think differently.
If more people feel like it’s possible to make these choices, it adds up to something huge – for our health, our wellbeing, and our world.
Because the consequences of the choices we can – or can’t – make, every time we decide how to travel to an important health appointment, go to the train station or bus stop, get to work, pop out to the shops, or drop the kids off at school, ripple out further than just one journey.
It's about more than just one journey. The impact of walking, wheeling and cycling ripples out and changes everything. Credit: Michael Kelly.
Making walking, wheeling and cycling possible means fairer, and cheaper access to education, employment and opportunities.
It means joy, independence and better outcomes for young people across Scotland and Cymru.
It means less burden on our NHS as more of us stay healthier, for longer.
It means feeling connected to our communities and with nature.
It means more people spending more time - and more money - in welcoming places.
And it means cleaner air and more sustainable cities, towns and villages for the generations to come.
We’re asking the parties in Scotland and Cymru to commit to vital investment and joined-up policies which will make all this possible.
And we need your support to help the candidates and parties hear, loud and clear, that this matters to people up and down both nations.
Let’s take a closer look at what we’re proposing.
What are our manifesto proposals?
#1 Funding
We want to see the ambition of our governments match that of Europe's active travel leaders.
We’re asking the new governments in both nations to commit 10% of the transport budget to walking, wheeling and cycling.
Because the return on this investment is life-changing.
Eilidh, Dundee
I travel to a lot of places on my own in my powered wheelchair. I go into town on the bus a lot, as the city centre is pretty good for wheelchair access.
But outside the city centre I come across a lot of problems, even just on my journey to school.
I’m very determined, so I work around everything. But I don’t want to always have to do that.
If simple things like surfaces and dropped kerbs were improved, I would be able to be a lot more independent.
#2 Schools
Eilidh’s story leads us onto our second ask. We want every child to have the chance to travel actively to school, safely.
We’re asking the next governments to prioritise safe routes to school, and to support schools and communities in helping identify the best solutions for their area.
#3 Accessibility
Too many disabled people face challenges in getting around their local streets and neighbourhoods. We need to make our places fairer.
We're asking our next governments to make sure that disabled people’s voices are at the heart of transport decision making.
We all deserve to be able to get where we need to go by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. Credit: Matthew Horwood.
#4 Pavements
Everyone in Cymru and Scotland should have the opportunity to reach essential local services and amenities under their own steam.
We're asking the next governments to set up a Pavement Fund, directing money towards improving access to key places we need to get to everyday – like train stations and bus stops, our shops and high streets, health and education, and our work.
In Cymru, we’re also asking the next government to take action on pavement parking and to tackle pavement clutter.
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.
#5 National Cycle Network
With continued investment, the National Cycle Network can be the cornerstone of a joined-up, nationwide walking, wheeling and cycling network in both nations.
The Network connects communities across Cymru and Scotland – bringing us closer to the people and places we love.
So, by investing in linking it up with more communities and local networks, we will make it possible for more people to walk, wheel and cycle.
And with housebuilding a priority, we can give families more freedom to get around actively - from the moment they move in - by making sure new developments connect with the National Cycle Network.
Let's make the National Cycle Network go further - connecting more of us to people, places and nature. Credit: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
#6 Integration
Our final proposal is for parties in Cymru.
We want everyone to be able to fairly and easily access public transport, by ensuring every station and bus stop is connected with walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
Joining up investment in walking, wheeling and cycling with improvements to bus and train services will give people the opportunities to make healthier, and more sustainable, longer journeys – and to save money.
1 in 10
people in Cymru have no access to public transport
23%
of people in Cymru do not have access to a private vehicle
Source: Making the connection (2022)
So, what can you do to support our manifesto asks?
We'd love you to show your support by lending your voice.
You can amplify our calls on social media – keep an eye on our channels where we’ll be sharing our asks over the next few weeks.
If you’re a voter in Scotland or Cymru, you can go the extra mile.
Find the link to your nation’s full manifesto below, where you can also download the PDF.
Does one ask in particular resonate with you? Talk to your local candidates about it. Ask them how they will champion walking, wheeling and cycling in your community.
Because when we change how we travel, we change everything.
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Scotland manifesto
Read our Scotland manifesto for 2026.
