Roads for everyone
Active travel is often spoken about as a policy goal, a line in a council strategy, or a response to climate targets. But at its heart, it’s something much more human: how we move through our daily lives, how safe we feel doing it, and how connected we are to the places we live.
Right now, many of our streets are still dominated by cars, even for short journeys that could easily be walked, ran or cycled. The result is familiar, congestion, pollution, and streets that feel hostile rather than welcoming. If we want active travel to become a genuine alternative, not just an aspiration, we need to rethink how we design our roads.
A key part of that is safe cycle routes. Not painted lines squeezed between traffic and parked cars, but properly designed, protected infrastructure that people of all ages and confidence levels feel comfortable using. The kind of routes where a parent would be happy for their child to cycle independently. Without that level of safety, cycling remains something only the most confident riders will choose.
We know this works because other cities have already done it. Time and again, places that invest in safe cycling infrastructure see a similar pattern: at first, usage is modest. It can take a few years for people to change habits and build trust in new routes. But once that tipping point is reached, the shift is dramatic. Cycling stops being a niche activity and becomes part of everyday culture. You start to see a wider mix of people on bikes, commuters, families, older residents and the streets begin to feel different.
This cultural shift doesn’t just benefit cyclists. It reduces pressure on roads, improves air quality, and creates a more pleasant environment for everyone, including those who still need or want to drive.
Looking closer to home, the Abbeydale Road/London Road corridor into the city is a clear example of why change is needed. It’s heavily congested, particularly at peak times, and yet there are already plenty of cyclists using the route. That alone tells us something important: even in less-than-ideal conditions, people are choosing to cycle here. Imagine how many more would do so if the route felt genuinely safe.
Improving this corridor isn’t just about adding infrastructure, it’s about listening. Cyclists who use the route every day understand where the pinch points are, where it feels dangerous, and what would make a difference. But it’s equally important to hear from other road users too: drivers, pedestrians, bus users, and local businesses. Good design comes from balancing these perspectives, not ignoring them.
Active travel succeeds when it works for everyone. That means routes that are coherent, intuitive, and safe; streets that feel like shared spaces rather than battlegrounds; and planning processes that genuinely engage with the people who use them.
Change won’t happen overnight. But if we commit to building safe cycle routes, learn from cities that have already made the transition, and involve our communities in shaping solutions, we can create a transport system that feels very different from the one we have today.
And once that shift happens, it won’t just change how we travel, it will change how our cities feel.
A friend of mine, who I grew up with in Barnsley, now lives in Germany, and the contrast is striking. When I visit, something as simple as going to a bar, popping to the shops, or heading out for a day with the kids starts the same way: she hands me a key for a bike, and off we go. It’s not a novelty or a lifestyle choice, it’s just routine for her. Cycling is simply how people get around.
That’s the kind of normality we should be aiming for. Not a city where cycling feels like a brave decision, but one where it’s the obvious, easy option for everyday journeys. And getting there starts with giving people the safety and confidence they need to choose it.