Three in four young people between the ages of 16-30 in Wales (74%) want to see streets redesigned to make cycling and walking safer. This is according to new research commissioned by the national cycling charity Cycling UK, ahead of May’s Senedd elections, signalling a strong appetite for safer, healthier and more affordable travel options.
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Cycling UK found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of 16-30s back redesigning streets to improve safety and accessibility. While support among young people remains especially high, there remains broad support across Wales, with a clear majority (58%) supporting safer street redesign.
Millie, a 16-year-old student from Penarth, said:
“I’ve cycled pretty much all my life. It makes me feel free and is a good way to clear my head. It’s also quicker to get places as I’m less likely to get stuck in traffic.
“The issue is, we really need more separated cycle lanes, like the ones around Newport Road. It would be great for young people like me in Wales. More dedicated cycle lanes would be a gamechanger for how people like me get around.”
The survey went on to reveal how support among young people also extends to long-term investment in walking and cycling. Nearly two thirds (60%) of 16-30s backed Cycling UK’s call for 10% of the overall transport budget to be allocated to walking and cycling. This suggests that young people want greater freedom of choice when it comes to making more affordable, healthy and sustainable journeys. The findings also appear to reflect gradual changes to travel habits more generally in Wales with the National Survey for Wales1 reporting that 7% of people in 2024-25 travelled by bike at least once a week: similar to the 2022-23 level but higher than the 5% found in 2021-22.
These trends illustrate a generation that is interested in making more journeys by bike or by foot and are open to changing their travel habits should conditions improve. 1 in 4 (24%) young people between the ages of 16-30 went on to state how they would drive less if there was safer street design for walking and cycling. Together, the results show that young people are not only open to embracing active travel but are calling for practical changes to help make it a realistic option for more people.
The research also highlights important differences in how safe women and men feel on Welsh roads. Women are less likely than men to say roads are safe for walking and cycling, underlining the continued need to build environments where everyone feels confident travelling by foot or by bike. At the same time, women show slightly stronger backing for change, with nearly two-thirds (61%) supporting street redesign compared to 55% of men. These responses closely mirror the findings of Cycling UK’s ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign, which highlights the gender divide in cycling, calling for safer roads and greater protections, particularly for women who cycle.
Gwenda Owen, Wales Advocacy lead at Cycling UK, said:
“This should send a clear message to candidates standing in May’s Senedd elections. Young people across Wales strongly support investment in cycling and walking and want to see practical changes that make active travel safer and easier.
“It’s really encouraging to see such strong backing from younger generations, alongside clear recognition that more needs to be done to improve road safety. When we invest in better street design and protected cycle lanes, we create places that work better for everyone – including people who drive. We’ve seen that through our ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign to tackle the gender divide in cycling.
“The next Welsh government has the opportunity to build on this momentum and deliver transport choices that that offer more affordable, healthier and greener alternatives to getting in the car. The appetite for change is there, and young people are looking to vote for it.”
Cycling UK’s manifesto recommendations:
- Increase investment in active travel to at least 10% of the total transport budget within five years
- Safer roads for everyone
- Public health and access to green spaces
- Increase transport choice and connectivity for all
Cycling UK is engaged with hundreds of electoral candidates and will continue to work closely with them to ensure they recognise that cycling does not just relate to transport, but that it also relates to the cost-of-living crisis, the environment, the economy and so much more. As part of this effort, the charity has produced and shared manifestos in Scotland and Wales unpacking how political candidates can support the creation of real transport choice, that includes cycling and walking.
Organised in partnership with Living Streets Cymru and Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Cymru, Cycling UK Cymru, will also be running a hustings event with award-winning journalist Wil Hayward, on Wednesday 15 April, 7pm–8.30pm, held online via Teams.
The free event will give Welsh voters the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and put their questions to them in a live Q&A session. Invited panellists include Anthony Slaughter (Green Party), Peredur Owen Griffiths (Plaid Cymru) and Steve Aicheler (Welsh Liberal Democrats), with Reform UK and the Welsh Conservatives also invited to take part.
