High Quality Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling Infrastructure is Available to Everyone
This Active Travel Framework outcome is assessed via indicators exploring the following key areas:
- Km of traffic-free walking and cycling facilities;
- Urban and rural households connection to cycling routes; and
- Satisfaction with quality of walking and cycling infrastructure.
Km of traffic-free walking and cycling facilities
Data from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust National Cycling Network (NCN) impact 2024-25) report shows that approximately 45% of the total cycling network in Scotland is traffic-free (i.e. separation between users and motorised vehicles) and around 55% are ‘on-road’ (mixed between active travel and motorised vehicles sharing a space). This is an increase from 2019 baseline report when 43% of cycling network in Scotland was traffic-free. In 2024/25, a total of 27.2 km of new or improved NCN was completed across several different infrastructure programmes.
Urban and rural households connection to cycling routes
The Walking and Cycling Index 2025 reports that 30% of households are within 125 metres of either traffic-free cycle paths away from roads, cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, or signposted routes along quieter streets.
The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust NCN impact report 2024/25 shows that approximately 30% of Scotland’s NCN runs through urban areas with around 70% connecting rural areas. Out of a total of 2,552 km, a total of 645 km in rural areas are traffic-free, while in urban areas this equates to 493 km.
Reporting on the NCN can be challenging as there can be reclassification of stretches of the network. In addition, the time of the year for the reporting can have impact on the figures and kilometres reported. As such, there might be minor discrepancies between different sources of evidence used to monitor these indicators (i.e. NCN impact report and Active Travel Infrastructure Investment Report).
One limitation of this indicator is the scarce evidence and lack of consistent and regular reporting on rural households’ connection to cycling routes. Most of the current evidence relates to urban connections and data is more readily available for these areas. There is a need to further explore the long term feasibility of this indicator for monitoring progress particularly when it comes to rural households connections.
Satisfaction with quality of infrastructure
Consistent and representative data relating to satisfaction with infrastructure is currently a gap. Evidence relating to this indicator is scarce and resources could usefully be directed to the development of systems to collect data and measure individuals’ satisfaction with infrastructure when walking, wheeling and cycling. However, existing publications can offer initial insights around satisfaction with infrastructure. The data below covers evidence about individuals’ experiences and where improvements are needed to support the use of infrastructure.
Walking and wheeling
The Scottish Walking and Wheeling Survey reports on walking and wheeling experiences of people in Scotland. This survey started in 2019 and data has been collected every two years since then. The sample for this survey is weighted so as to be representative of the Scottish population. The sample includes 2,009 adults resident in Scotland and a sampling quota of 1,021 adults was implemented to account for representation of gender, age, social grade and place of residence. A further sample of over 980 adults was included to ensure views from particular groups of interest were accounted for – i.e. minority ethnic communities, residents of rural areas, disabled people and smaller local authorities.
In this survey, participants were asked to rate satisfaction and importance of several features relating to their local area. In relation to currently available infrastructure, participants rated as extremely or quite good the following aspects: shops selling essentials within a walking distance (75%), quality green spaces like parks (70%), public transport connections and schools within walking distance (69% and 68% respectively), and availability of walking and cycling routes connecting places (65% and 52% respectively).
Finally, this survey explored participants’ attitudes to walking and wheeling in their local area and perceptions about changes in the last two years. Forty-one percent agreed that the pavements in their local area are in good condition and well-managed. Also, over a third agreed that the improvements made to paths in the last two years made it easier to walk or wheel to local services and amenities.
Cycling
For cycling, the Walk Wheel and Cycle Trust gathered evidence on the quality of the National Cycling Network as part of their impact report. The 2024/25 audit assessed a total of 3,225 paths and access points and showed that 47% of people surveyed rated the quality of the NCN as good, 26% reported it to be adequate and 24% as poor. Furthermore, the impact report highlighted that 507 barriers were removed in 2024/25.
The Walking and Cycling Index also gathers evidence on the perspectives of Scottish residents about cycling infrastructure. In 2025, participants shared being in support of improving and increasing local off‑road paths (79%), improvements to access to public transport stops and stations (73%), and building more cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians (57%).
In terms of infrastructure, the Index also explores what would help Scottish residents to start cycling or to cycle more. Some of the factors mentioned were: more traffic-free cycle paths away from roads (69%), better links to public transport (66%) and more signposted routes along quieter streets (63%).