Last Updated on June 10, 2023

The benefits of walking and cycling are becoming increasingly acknowledged by the UK government and it is great to see a strategy now in place. The Cycling and Walking Strategy finally creates a proposal plan that provides definite propositions and intentions.

Cycling route along Cardiff Bay

The Aims

The benefits of walking and cycling are quite profound and can provide:

  • Better physical fitness;
  • Improved mental health;
  • A cleaner environment and moves towards more sustainable cities.

The main intention outlined in this specific document from the Department of Transport is to make walking and cycling the desired choice for short journeys and to make it easier also for inter-modal journeys, such as when walking and cycling is connected to train journeys.

50 minutes of walking or cycling a week, we are told, is enough to make a difference in our health and in preventing a range of diseases.

The list of ambitions to achieve by 2040 laid down by the Department of Transport, is as follows:

Journeys by 2040

In case you have not already heard of or taken advantage of the “Cycle to Work Scheme”, you can buy a bicycle and accessories worth up to £1000, and you in effect, buy it back from your employer and in the process, reduce your annual tax bill.

You can find a full explanation here on CycleScheme. Alternatively, you can watch this video that explains the scheme and how it works:

Cycle to Work Scheme

Wayfinding and the New Government Initiative

Wayfinding ultimately is an important part of the move to get more people walking and cycling including through:

  • Improved directional signage, especially on long trails.
  • Better provision of information such as via printed maps, access information.
  • The design of paths and routes that better accommodate cycling and also walking. In this respect, trying to avoid conflict between walkers and cyclists also needs to be factored into the design.
  • Work with local communities to improve routes for all user types, including the disabled and the elderly.

One of the key issues is connectivity and making routes possible using different modes of transport such as perambulation and trains.

In addition to guiding people around a bay trail, through an urban center, and so on, you first need to be able to help them get there in the first place.

In this respect, wayfinding becomes about multiple journeys.

Further Information

Signage design course