The latest National Travel Survey shows that walking and wheeling are now firmly part of everyday life. More than eight in ten journeys under a mile are made on foot or by wheeling, underlining how people rely on active travel for short trips. On average, people walked 230 miles in 2024, the highest figure since records began, and a clear sign that longer walks are becoming more common too.
Across the year, people made around 267 walking trips each, up on pre-pandemic levels, with women of all ages walking both more often and further than men. Walking also remains the backbone of public transport use, with six in ten trips starting on foot.
The number of trips cycled has stayed about the same at 15 per person per year, but the average distance cycled has risen to 53 miles, a 12% jump on 2023. Most cycling is still for leisure or commuting, and concerns over safety and the lack of segregated paths remain the biggest barriers.
Overall, the survey shows that people are walking more and going further than ever before, while cycling is holding steady but struggling to grow beyond a small share of journeys. The trend highlights how walking and wheeling are deeply embedded in daily routines, while cycling still needs stronger support to become a mainstream choice.
For the full survey visit: NTS 2024: Active travel – GOV.UK
