The number of people embracing active travel is rising. More and more individuals, businesses in their capacity as employers, and organisations are urging the government to do more, as many feel that progress is not keeping up with our communities’ urgent demands.
The UK’s national strategy has been neglectful of the crucial need for integrated active travel infrastructure, and the government has shown limited commitment, as shown by a modest investment of £101 million, to promote cycling and walking. However, the idea that public sector efforts alone can address these shortcomings is unrealistic and impractical. We believe that businesses, and in big part large real estate owners and developers, can be the backbone of this change.
The Knowledge Gap Barrier
We believe that the approach needs to change – simply waiting for the government to catch up and nudge us towards our net-zero goals, and the true embracing of active travel will take a long time. Real estate owners and developers must step up and take on more responsibility in partnership with the public sector. After all, the buildings they build and manage are directly connected to active travel. Embracing this responsibility and integrating active travel facilities into the heart of their projects has clear benefits: improved connectivity increases property value and effectively attracts and retains tenants.
Pioneering policies such as the London Plan mandate active travel infrastructure for planning permission. However, such initiatives are not widespread and require more consistency across different regions. This inconsistency is due to a knowledge gap — a mismatch between local regulations and national best practices, leaving property stakeholders without the guidance needed to implement meaningful changes.
Furthermore, a common oversight in public sector discussions often focuses solely on street-level infrastructure, neglecting the significant role real estate can play in this ecosystem. Despite our efforts to collaborate with public sector leaders over the past seven years, we have been met with silence.
Taking On More Responsibility
The responsibility for creating environments that are supportive of active travel within private developments has been noticeably lacking. Areas that could be turned into vibrant centres for cyclists and pedestrians are being left unused. There is so much untapped potential that can be further explored, developed, and used to aid in our collective active travel journey.
We envision a future where real estate significantly enhances infrastructure for active travel by repurposing underutilised spaces within buildings to alleviate pressure on street-level facilities. Imagine the possibilities if new developments were required to support “on-street” bike share systems as part of their planning conditions, thereby improving community access and engagement in active travel.
While developers often contribute to local infrastructure costs at the project’s inception, they need to continue supporting operational sustainability. This includes funding communal services like bike-share systems, which are crucial for the success of active travel initiatives.
Collaboration and strategic alignment between the public and private sectors are essential. The establishment of Active Travel England was a welcomed advancement. However, there remains a significant gap in acknowledging the essential role of the private sector. Without a unified approach, the potential of our national active travel infrastructure cannot be fully achieved.
3 actions for the next UK government
The next government should ensure that the budget for active travel is significantly boosted. Spending on active travel is dwarfed substantially by road expenditure. From 2016 to 2021, the average annual spend on roads was £148 per person, more than ten times the amount allocated to active travel. Despite this imbalance, investments in active travel deliver a much higher return on investment (ROI) of £5.62 for every £1 spent, compared to £2.50 for every £1 spent on road construction.
Furthermore, the government would have markedly improved the current situation if it had introduced a nationwide policy for active travel standards in new construction. The absence of clear, consistent standards results in varying quality across the country. Current localised standards are often outdated, leading developers and real estate professionals to follow poor advice. Introducing a common policy on the matter will make developers’ lives easier, and a coherent, modern, and effective framework will lead to better buildings that make active travel a priority instead of an afterthought.
The UK government also needs to incentivise businesses to provide active travel infrastructure. Transport for London (TfL) used to offer businesses on-site cycle parking as a grant to incentivise employers to take up active travel. Called the ‘Cycling Workplaces scheme’, it was a huge success. In 2014/15, the programme provided 18,485 new cycle parking spaces across London. We need schemes like this back on the board, backed by solid funding and extended across the country.
Together, we firmly believe we can redefine urban mobility and build a future that champions sustainability, enhances property value, and improves the quality of life for all. Let’s not just build spaces; let’s redefine how we move between them.