This time Ned, Adam and Laura talk targets - and why the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3) needs outputs, not simply outcomes. They are joined by the CEO of the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), Xavier Brice, who knows all about strategies, and delivering active transport networks.

The government recently ended a consultation on CWIS3 but, frustratingly, the proposals lacked any investment or much strategy. There were no SMART targets, or any outputs, i.e. routes; simply the unachievable outcome that by 2035 walking, wheeling and cycling will be "a safe, easy and accessible option for everyone". Road Investment Strategies, by contrast, focus heavily on routes and infrastructure, so why do we treat walking, wheeling and cycling differently?

Xavier Brice has been CEO of the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust since 2016. In 2007 Brice led the development of a new walking and cycling strategy for London, with Transport for London.

This month Adam, Laura and Xavier Brice coordinated an open letter to the Secretary of State supporting a better CWIS3. That letter was signed by more than 50 organisations across health, active travel and beyond. It asked that central government maps a true national network of routes by 2030, and sets targets to deliver that network to a proper, accessible standard by 2050.

You can read the letter here: https://bsky.app/profile/adamtranter.bsky.social/post/3m7fv3vhyks2r

The letter was covered in the Guardian by Peter Walker: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/12/drivers-cyclists-transport-policy-conservatives-culture-wars-road-safety 

Shortly after that, Walker interviewed transport minister, Lilian Greenwood, about the importance of 'creating a system that works for everyone': https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/12/drivers-cyclists-transport-policy-conservatives-culture-wars-road-safety

Laura’s Freedom of Information requests to English local authorities found just 2 per cent had used legal powers to purchase land - something that's done routinely for roads https://substack.com/home/post/p-178788505

And her article on CWIS3: https://lauralaker.substack.com/p/a-cycling-and-walking-strategy-walks

The Walk, Wheel Cycle Trust has been improving the National Cycle Network (NCN). In 2023/24 1.7km of an off-road muddy track connecting the residential area of Newton, in West Doncaster, to Danum retail park, was widened (on NCN62), with seven barriers removed or redesigned, along with improved wayfinding and signage. Estimated annual usage rose by 196% according to the Walk, Wheel Cycle Trust, from 150,000 trips in 2022 to 450,000 in 2024. Pedestrian and cycling trips increased by 191% and 192% respectively, while other users increased by 270%. Another path improvement project in Redcar and Cleveland saw ten barriers removed on NCN1 and NCN68. Wheelchair user trips increased four-fold, from 200 to 800, with 100% of disabled users saying they now use the route as the most convenient option.

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