A short walk (or cycle) to a more active UK

The UK government has set out its new vision to make active travel the easy and integrated choice and increase the number of short journeys being walked, cycled or wheeled in towns and cities by 2035.

The publication of Department for Transport and Active Travel England’s third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3) sets out the government’s vision and objectives for active travel, and is underpinned by an evidence review conducted by Frontier’s Public Policy team, in partnership with SYSTRA.

Active travel has an important role to play in supporting healthier communities, better access to local services, cleaner air and more affordable transport choices. Our analysis brought together evidence on investment, delivery and outcomes across CWIS1 and CWIS2, and set out recommendations to strengthen data and evidence for future active travel investment.

CWIS3 has been published alongside Active Travel England’s delivery plan (Worth Every Step), and the 2026 report to Parliament on progress against the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. Our work on CWIS3 has contributed to the evidence base for the next phase of walking, wheeling and cycling policy in England.

Click here to find out more about CWIS3’s objectives in the full policy paper.