Most Liverpudlians expect to continue walking and cycling

New Liverpool City Region research has shown that most people in the area expect to continue walking and cycling to get around following lockdown.

More people have turned to walking and cycling to get around during the coronavirus lockdown, partly due to advice to avoid public transport, and a Liverpool City Region transport survey has found that 59 per cent expect to continue this even as restrictions are lifted.

During lockdown, the majority of respondents said they had taken journeys by foot, with 86 per cent saying they had walked for exercise and 64 per cent to pick up essential items like food or medicines. Furthermore, 36 per cent also said they had cycled during lockdown, with half of these people having access to a car, indicating that a number of people are choosing to leave their cars at home in favour of the bike.

In May, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool City Region Walking and Cycling Commissioner Simon O’Brien announced that plans for a 600km network of new and upgraded cycle-ways and footpaths would be fast-tracked, with more than £30 million committed in the first phase. The findings demonstrate public backing for the broadening and acceleration of active travel plans.

In fact, support for these measures is very high, with 75 per cent of people saying they backed the introduction of pop-up cycle lanes, widened footpaths to allow easier social distancing (72 per cent) and secure cycle parking and storage at key locations including hospitals, work places and rail stations (77 per cent).

Rotheram said: “We know that more people across the region are walking and cycling and the news that the majority want this to continue once lockdown restrictions are lifted is very positive. That’s why we’re pushing forward as quickly as possible with new measures to make walking and cycling safer and easier, like pop-up cycle lanes and widened pavements.

“Working with our local councils we’re accelerating and broadening our plans across the city region – to make sure we continue to help people stay active, travel safely and keep the cleaner air we have experienced during lockdown – all as part of our ambition to build back better. We are working hard to secure even more money from the government’s emergency active travel fund to add to our existing £30 million cycling and walking pot for the city region and I am hopeful that we will have more good news very soon.”