Invest in walking and wheeling infrastructure

Invest in walking and wheeling infrastructure 

There is a good case for enabling community benefits from renewables to strengthen investment in walking and wheeling infrastructure.  

Walking and wheeling sit at the top of the Sustainable Transport Hierarchy and play a vital role in delivering national goals across public health, transport, climate, and inequality. However, current investment levels do not reflect this importance. Improved path networks, accessible environments, and consistent action is essential to enable more people to walk or wheel for everyday journeys and recreation. 

Community benefits from energy projects offer a valuable mechanism for supporting local walking infrastructure and promoting active travel. 

Background 

Existing good practice includes making roads, tracks, and walking routes accessible to local users, supported by features such as signposting, path extensions, and supporting facilities. 

Scotland’s right of responsible access underpins both recreational walking and day‑to‑day active travel. Despite this strong foundation, outdoor access and walking and wheeling infrastructure often given a low priority in budget setting. 

Walking and wheeling are the simplest and most cost‑effective form of active travel and have a major contribution to make in reducing carbon emissions, improving health, and supporting local living. 

Walking and wheeling are not resourced in line with the Sustainable Transport Hierarchy 

Persistent barriers prevent people from walking or wheeling 

Physical, environmental, and social barriers continue to discourage participation - particularly in deprived communities. 

• People in poorer areas are more exposed to low‑quality streets and inadequate path networks. 

• 41% of disabled pedestrians consider UK streets inaccessible, highlighting a significant inequality that must be addressed. 

Path networks are inconsistent and poorly maintained 

Local and national path infrastructure often suffers from gaps, poor surfaces, lack of lighting, and inconsistent maintenance, undermining confidence and safety. 

Community benefits from renewable projects can: 

• Support new and upgraded paths 

• Deliver accessibility improvements 

• Enhance local living and active travel choices 

• Strengthen resilience in rural and island communities 

• Support local partnership working between communities, local authorities, RTPs, NHS Boards, and the third sector   

Themes for Good Practice 

Future action should build on existing principles and embrace the following themes: 

1. Recognise walking and wheeling as the top priority in the transport hierarchy, with investment that matches this status. 

2. Remove barriers to participation, enabling more people to walk or wheel more often. 

3. Connect communities through well‑maintained and accessible path networks, both for everyday travel and recreation. 

4. Adopt a consistent national approach to investment, planning, and action to ensure equity across Scotland.