New Government data shows people in England are walking more

The National Travel Survey 2022 data, released at the end of August, shows that people are walking more often compared to 2021, with average trips and miles above pre-pandemic levels. Walking is currently the only mode of transport where average trips per person are above 2019 levels.

The data supports the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy published in July last year which established the aim of making walking and cycling the natural choices for short journeys. In it, there is a target of 365 walking stages per person per year. A walking stage is defined as walking for all or part of a journey, so walking to catch a bus would count as one walking stage and one public transport stage

The new statistics show that in 2022, people in England walked 318 stages, up from 279 in 2021.

On the back of the data Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, has called on the Government to invest further in infrastructure. Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive of Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking said, “There was a lot of good work during the lockdowns to improve spaces for people walking and wheeling. If the targets are to be met, we need to continue to prioritise these healthier transport modes by reducing congestion on residential streets and investing in infrastructure to support walking, such as better pavements, crossings and benches.”

The Government also has a target of 55% of primary school aged children walking to school by 2025. The number of five to 10-year-olds who normally walk to school is currently 49%.

To help reach this target Living Streets has been running its walk to school outreach programme across some 1,100 schools. The Active Travel England funded project involves working with schools and local authorities to improve school streets so they are safer and more accessible. During the last financial year Living Streets says the project created 14.3 million new walking trips and removed 2.5 million car kilometres from England’s roads.

Stephen Edwards continues, “The success of our walk to school programme shows the value of investing in walking and in making streets more welcoming with slower speeds, better crossings and car-free zones.

“As pupils in England head back to school, we need a commitment to long-term investment and continued support for walk to school initiatives, so that more children can enjoy the benefits of being active on the journey to school.”