Award presented by Fabian Hamilton MP at this year’s Modeshift Convention
Leeds City Council has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to transforming everyday journeys, winning Organisation of the Year at the 2025 National Modeshift Convention.
The award was presented by local Member of Parliament, Fabian Hamilton MP, who also spoke at a panel discussion at the event.
This year’s National Modeshift Convention, our flagship gathering of professionals working to make walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport the natural choice for everyday trips, brought together local authorities, schools, trusts, and active travel partners from across the UK.
Leeds City Council was honoured as a shining example of how you embrace active and sustainable travel to support economic momentum, sustainability goals, and business ecosystems. The city’s bold investment in expanding its active travel routes through the central corridor isn’t just an infrastructure upgrade, it’s a shift in how people move, connect, and build community.
The Connecting Leeds transport strategy’s initial action plan 2020 – 2024 has delivered some key successes including:
- Launching a Vision Zero Strategy which aims to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on Leeds roads by 2040. The number of people killed or seriously injured on Leeds roads has reduced since its launch.
- Transforming City Square and wider public realm in the city centre, creating safer pedestrian-friendly spaces.
- The launch of Leeds City Bikes, one of the largest e-bike schemes in the UK.
- More than 90 electric buses are now serving the city’s busiest routes with around 10,000 cars are taken off city roads each week.
- Improvements and significant funding in Leeds City Rail Station, with a significant increase in passenger numbers and footfall exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- Fewer car commuters into the city centre since 2021, reducing congestion and improving local air quality
Some measures within the initial action plan are ongoing or still progressing, as the city now looks to deliver a new action plan which details its ambitions and activities up to 2027.
Fabian Hamilton, Member of Parliament for Leeds North East, said:
‘I’m delighted that Leeds is leading the way on walking and cycling. Getting cars off the road, making active travel accessible and creating safer areas for pedestrians must act as a blueprint for progress for other towns and cities across the country.
As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking and a Leeds MP, I’m so proud that our city’s Council has been recognised for its dedicated and transformative work.’
Nick Butler, Chief Operating Officer at Modeshift said:
‘It is a pleasure to award Leeds City Council with our organisation of the year award. Leeds has played host to the Modeshift Convention and awards for the past two years with professionals from across the UK experiencing the improvements made to walking and cycling routes across the City.
Leeds City Council have shared their plans and progress and truly deserve this national accolade.’
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:
‘This award is a fantastic recognition of the work happening across Leeds to make sustainable travel the natural choice. I’m especially proud of our Travel Behaviour Change team, who were the real victors here. They deliver vital road safety training in schools and ensure key messages about safe and sustainable travel reach communities across the city.
Their efforts, alongside our wider Connecting Leeds strategy, are helping to create a safer, healthier, and more connected Leeds. We’ll keep building on this momentum as we work towards our Vision Zero ambition and a city where active travel is accessible for everyone.’
