On November 26, 2024, the Active Travel and Health Working Group met during the 2024 Annual POLIS Conference to discuss innovative strategies for transforming urban spaces to prioritise walking and cycling. The session brought together experts to share insights from diverse European experiences and address the pressing challenges of integrating active travel into national and local policies.

The discussion was guided by research conducted by PATH, the Partnership for Walking and Cycling, which highlighted substantial gaps in integrating walking and cycling into national policies among the 197 UNFCCC member countries. City and region experts shared their insights into the national policies in place in their respective countries. In Portugal, a cross-departmental strategy led by a single ministry has paved the way for education, cultural shifts, and planning. However, challenges remain in communication and resource allocation at the local level. Experts noted the importance of civil society engagement in fostering a sense of ownership over national walking plans.

Ireland's sustainable mobility policy, overseen by the health ministry, includes a developing national cycle plan. While a national walking strategy is yet to be established, cities like Dublin benefit from dedicated budgets that facilitate collaboration with national initiatives. Experts emphasised the need for stronger political will to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure and ensure safety and accessibility across urban areas.

Germany's Baden-Württemberg region showcased a dual national policy approach to cycling and walking, yet complexities in funding distribution pose challenges for local municipalities. Efforts are underway to centralise responsibilities and provide training and support to local authorities to improve infrastructure management.

Key challenges and opportunities

Participants discussed that even though a strong national framework is essential to align local initiatives, secure funding, and facilitate cultural change towards walking and cycling, factors such as budget allocation, updated guidelines, professional training, supporting policies, and effective impact monitoring are crucial. The effectiveness of national policies in improving local actions is often limited by imbalances in city capacities and persistent disparities in financial support for active mobility compared to other transport modes. To foster widespread adoption of active mobility, national policies should focus on creating action plans tailored to local needs and capabilities.

Moreover, updated guidelines focusing on active mobility rather than a car-centric perspective are vital for planning and implementing infrastructure. The experts highlighted the significance of measures such as speed reductions and revised parking regulations, though these often face resistance from authorities and the public. Changing the narrative around mobility to emphasise benefits like health and pollution reduction is crucial.

Lastly, monitoring the impact of active mobility infrastructure is essential, with calls for consistency at national and European levels regarding what is measured. The meeting aimed to identify both the challenges and opportunities for creating more walkable and cyclable cities, stressing the need for cohesive collaboration across all governance levels to develop actionable plans and ensure local capacity and resources are in place.

As urban areas continue to struggle with car dependency, the discussion underscored the importance of aligning national and local strategies to create effective frameworks that promote active mobility and enhance the quality of life in cities across Europe.

Read the full report here.