Plans for a ‘Walking, Wheeling, Cycling’ Investment Plan which aspires for high quality networks to be developed city-wide for Sheffield over the next 20 years are set to go ahead.
The plans were approved at a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Extraordinary, Transport, Regeneration and Climate Police Committee on 30 April.
Councillor Ruth Mersereau said: “The report highlights the many advantages to enabling more walking, wheeling and cycling in terms of wellbeing, air quality improvements, cohesion, equality and economic benefits.”
The plan aims to make Sheffield a more pedestrian-friendly city that has increased walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and other measures to support people walking.
Councillor Alexi Dimond identified that one in four people said they are inactive which means they undertake less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week.
He said: “I believe we could do more but we need to be brave as members.”
The proposal contains short, medium and long term programmes that were developed using the multi-criteria assessment process set out in a previous report in October 2024, which focused on health and deprivation measures, road safety data and air quality data.
This has resulted in many of the most deprived areas of the city to feature in the medium-term programme.
Ben Taylor, a University of Sheffield student and triathlon competitor, said: “I guess I don’t particularly always feel safe because a lot of the roads are 60mph designed for cars which is a bit nerve wracking when you’re on a bike.
“I definitely think we need more cycle lanes.
“Having allocated spaces for cyclists is always great.”
Medium to long term programmes aim to be finished between 2035 and 2045 and focus on improvements to do with routes to opportunity, including employment and training and vibrant neighbourhoods, which means improving local access to local facilities.
Ed Clancy, South Yorkshire Active Travel Commissioner, said: “Across South Yorkshire there are 350,000 people who don’t have access to cars and, of course, I think with walking, wheeling and cycling we can make a difference to help.”
The scheme ultimately sets to focus on increasing opportunities for those without access to a car whilst striving to show people that cycling and walking is enjoyable and crucial to staying active.
