Advocating for active travel in Wales: reflections from the Welsh Labour Party conference

Despite some particularly driving rain, Llandudno’s iconic Victorian promenade played host to a walk and talk at the Welsh Labour Party Conference, jointly organised by Cycling UK, Sustrans Cymru and Living Street Cymru.

Similarly to our conference cycle and walk at UK Labour conference in September, the inclement weather only served to show the commitment, passion and hardiness of the attendees. This was an opportunity to champion the importance of active travel at a time when the future of investment in Wales is looking uncertain ahead of December’s budget.

Walk and talk, huddled in a prom shelter

While North Wales’s customary dose of wind and rainfall might have kept some attendees away, the walk and talk reaffirmed the appetite for continued investment and support for walking, wheeling and cycling in Wales.

We were very pleased to have John Griffiths MS, a steadfast supporter of active travel, deliver an inspiring speech, reinforcing the case for continued investment in this vital area. Joining John were Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council, and Peter Bradbury, Cardiff Council cabinet member, alongside representatives from Transport for Wales, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Asthma + Lung UK.

Walking and cycling are essential modes of transport for many people in Wales, especially for those who can’t afford a car or live in areas with limited access to public transport. Active travel offers an affordable, sustainable way for people to connect to jobs, education, healthcare and their communities.

It is vital that everyone is given real choice when it comes to transport options, not forced into cars unnecessarily by unsafe, inadequate or non-existent infrastructure. Creating safe cycling and walking routes, particularly to schools and workplaces, is a solution that tackles poor physical and mental health, slashes congestion and air pollution, and gives the poorest in society the freedom to travel.

Upcoming budget

As the Welsh Government prepares its budget for December, the importance of maintaining ringfenced funding for active travel cannot be overstated. Active travel is not merely an infrastructure investment; it is a commitment to a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future for Wales.

It is crucial that the Welsh Government recognises that active travel investment is a long-term strategy. High-quality infrastructure, public behaviour and social norms around active travel take time to develop and cutting active travel funding now would undermine years of progress, waste previous investment, and leave Wales without the sustainable, resilient transport options it needs for a healthier, happier and greener future.

Long-term thinking

Although the Active Travel Act was a huge positive step that laid essential groundwork, achieving a shift towards active travel requires a multi-decade approach. Successful international examples, such as the Netherlands and Denmark, show that significant modal shifts toward active travel do not happen overnight.

In both cases, sustained government investment over many years was necessary to reach the critical mass of infrastructure that changed travel behaviours. Wales is still in the early stages of creating a network that can make active travel feasible and appealing for the majority.

Cutting active travel funding might save money in the short term, but it will cost more over time due to increased traffic congestion, air pollution and healthcare demands. Politicians should be reminded that withdrawing funding now would likely prevent Wales from reaching the tipping point necessary to see visible modal shift.

Away from the rain, in the conference

The conference was an opportunity to engage with key political figures and advocate for the sustained funding of active travel.

Cycling UK’s Wales advocacy lead Gwenda Owen spoke with various members of the Senedd, including some that agreed to work with us in the Senedd to continue beating the drum for active travel. These will be valuable allies not only in the short term, but also as we look to the horizon of the 2026 Senedd election that is sure to come around in a flash.

A call to action

Cycling UK, Sustrans Cymru and Living Streets Cymru are dedicated to making walking and cycling accessible for everyone in Wales. By maintaining ringfenced funding, the Welsh Government can build on its achievements and support regional transport strategies that benefit all citizens.

To First Minister Morgan and Cabinet Secretary Skates: Active travel funding is an investment in the health, wellbeing and future of our nation. Protecting this funding ensures that Wales continues to lead in sustainable and equitable transport, realising the vision of the Active Travel Act.

Let’s keep Wales moving forward – on foot, by cycle, and together.