As the year draws to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what we’ve collectively achieved over the last five years, thanks to the generous support of our funders and our work with partners.

What new infrastructure have we built or improved? What’s been the impact on communities? And where are we going next?

Expanding the National Cycle Network

Over the last five years we’ve converted 88 miles of the National Cycle Network into traffic-free paths, giving people more access to green space and the joy of travelling through and with nature.

But that’s just part of the almost 500 miles of Network that we and, crucially, our partners have created or brought up to modern-day standards.

These improvements provide new opportunities for people to walk, wheel or cycle where they want, and need, to go.

In Warwickshire, we led a £5.1 million project to transform a section of the Lias Line, a former railway between Leamington Spa and Rugby, into a thriving active travel route for local communities.

Together, we have opened the Eddleston Water Path and the Misbourne Greenway, and delivered the award-winning Bowline Activation Project on Route 7 in West Dunbartonshire.

Connecting people to places

This infrastructure makes a real difference to people’s daily lives.

Since 2019, across 77 of our projects on the National Cycle Network in England, active travel trips have risen by an average of 12%. This rises to up to 28% on projects in Scotland.

In areas of high deprivation, where car ownership is lower, the increases tend to be greater, providing much-needed access to work, school and shops.

In many projects, the increases almost treble five years later as people find out about the new infrastructure, proving that people want to get out of their cars and move.

We removed physical barriers

Across the Network, we are removing and redesigning barriers, improving access to paths and journeys for thousands of people using mobility aids, pushchairs and larger cycles.

Jane in North Ayrshire has cerebral palsy and uses a recumbent trike. She told us about the impact of removing barriers on her local Route 73.

More children are getting to school actively

By working with schools across the country, we’re helping more families leave their cars at home to walk, wheel, scoot, skate or cycle their journeys.

Typically, this led to a 5–8% increase in children travelling actively to school.

In Wales, active travel journeys for schools increased by 25%. And it’s not just improving their physical health.

Teachers overwhelmingly reported that children were enthusiastic about travelling to school actively and were happier and more motivated in lessons.

The Big Walk and Wheel continues to inspire children across the UK to walk, wheel or cycle their journeys to school.

These annual, joyful celebrations of active travel have led to almost a billion active travel journeys, saving 6.4 million kilos of CO₂.

Influencing from the top

We’re also working with governments to help change policies nationally and regionally.

Our policy team meets regularly with politicians across the UK to help guide decisions that make it easier for everyone to choose people-powered movement.

In the last five years, we’ve produced two Walking and Cycling Indexes and the inaugural Children’s Index, highlighting the desire across all regions and nations for local authorities to do more to make it easier for people to choose how they get around their neighbourhoods.

The Disabled Citizens' Inquiry put forward disabled people’s solutions to accessing streets. By launching the report in Parliament, we pushed for the need to prohibit pavement parking — a move that Scotland is leading on.

A new, refreshed look

We look a bit different than we did six months ago. Leaner, stronger, and with a fresh new brand and strategy. As Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we’re set to take people-powered movement to the next level.

We’re still the same practical, expert-led organisation, working hard to help everyone travel actively, no matter where they live, their background or ability.

To launch our next five years (and beyond)

Our ambitious targets for 2030 require focus.

By improving connections between where people live, public transport and where they want to travel, we’re opening up people’s worlds.

By continuing our work to improve the quality and accessibility of the National Cycle Network, we’re providing people with opportunities to get out in nature and giving nature a chance to flourish alongside people.

By working directly with schools and communities to help more children walk, wheel, cycle, scoot and skate their journeys, we’re creating habits that will last a lifetime.

And we’re going to be louder about our work and how everyone can be part of this people-powered movement.

Thank you to all our funders and supporters for helping us to continue this work.

People, place and connection are at the heart of all we do.

Because we know it changes everything.

From our physical health.

To our mental wellbeing.

And the world around us.