Paths for Everyone (report)

Sustrans has published the first review of the National Cycling Network, along with a long-term plan to tackle safety and improve accessibility.

The National Cycle Network was founded in 1995 by Sustrans with help from local communities, partners and a National Lottery grant.

Every year more than 780 million journeys are made on the network which at 16,575-miles links towns, villages and cities across the country.

The ‘Paths for Everyone’ report shows that while more than half of UK population lives within a mile of the network, only 54% of its paths are safe for a 12-year-old to use unaccompanied by an adult.

The review outlines plans for the removal or redesign of 16,000 ‘barriers’, to make the Network more accessible to everyone – especially those facing mobility challenges.

Sustrans’ ambition is to double the length of paths away from motorised traffic – from 5,000 to 10,000 miles – and to divert all routes away from ‘busy and fast moving’ roads onto new ‘quiet-way’ roads.

The report also covers improved safety at junctions, improved signage and adopting a new quality design standard for paths.