Written question WQ90111

We want to increase levels of both walking and cycling as an everyday transport mode. We promote and encourage use of cycling through a combination of measures, such as supporting the development of cycling infrastructure, provision of cycle training and behaviour change initiatives.

We know that a lack of safe, direct and attractive routes is an important barrier to cycling for many people. The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 and the supporting Guidance address this by placing a duty on Local Authorities to map existing routes and plan improvements to create integrated walking and cycling networks, and make improvements each year.

The Active Travel Fund, managed by TfW on behalf of Welsh Government, is available for Local Authorities to develop and expand these active travel networks. The Active Travel Network Maps are published and available to the public on Welsh Government’s DataMap Wales website, helping the public to find active travel routes and cycle lanes for their journeys.

There are many different types of cycle infrastructure, so routes can be on paths away from roads, alongside or on roads, with or without physical separation from vehicle or pedestrians. Our guidance aims to support the creation of routes that feel safe even for inexperienced users, but no design suits everybody equally. The Highway Code makes it clear that it is not mandatory to use cycle routes, where they are provided.

The Welsh Government also funds programmes to encourage uptake of walking and cycling and to provide cycle training for children and adults. For example, Sustrans’ Active Journeys Programme works with children, teachers, and parents to increase levels of active travel to school through training, promotion, confidence building and skills development. A key element of the programme is working with pupils and parents to plan the safest cycling routes to schools using local cycling infrastructure.