Waterford Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index
Across the Waterford Metropolitan Area, support for active travel remains strong. Efforts to make journeys safer and more accessible continue to encourage people-powered movement, helping to create healthier streets, cleaner air and stronger community connections. The 2025 Index highlights the positive impact of these changes across the metropolitan area.
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Download the Waterford Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index
See Waterford Metropolitan Area's vision for walking, wheeling and cycling.
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Waterford Metropolitan Area through the years
This is the second time we've collaborated with Waterford Metropolitan Area to survey active travel in the city.
This report is also available in a text-only format.
This report is also available in Irish:
Every year, walking and cycling in the Waterford Metropolitan Area results in:
149
serious long-term health conditions prevented
€67 million
in economic benefit for individuals and the region
2,700 tonnes
of greenhouse gas emissions saved
Up to 15,000
cars taken off the road every day
Noreen McGrath
I regularly walk into Waterford City and really enjoy it. Walking is great for health, meeting people, and enjoying our beautiful local areas. As a member of Waterford Older People’s Council and our Residents group, I always encourage walking as part of daily life.
However, there are challenges. Many footpaths are uneven and unsafe, especially for those with mobility issues. Wheelie bins often block the way, forcing people with walking aids, scooters, or buggies onto the road.
Traffic has increased with the new traffic plan, but there aren’t enough pedestrian crossings to keep walkers safe. Public transport is unreliable. Buses don’t always arrive or take on passengers.
Looking forward, we need better footpaths, bin management, more crossings, and reliable transport to support active travel for all ages in Waterford.
Find out more
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Walk Wheel Cycle Trust's Walking and Cycling Index
The Walking and Cycling IndexWalk Wheel Cycle Trust's Walking and Cycling Index (formerly Bike Life) is the UK and Ireland's biggest ever study of walking, wheeling and cycling in urban areas. Download the report now.
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Walking for everyone: A guide to making walking and wheeling accessible, inclusive and desirable
We've teamed up with Living Streets and ARUP to create a guide to support people in local government, the transport sector and spatial planning, make walking and wheeling for everyone.Walking for everyone -
Cycling for everyone
We've teamed up with Arup to create a guide to support people in local government and the transport sector to make cycling a more inclusive activity for everyone.Inclusive cycling in cities and towns