Collection

Walking and cycling statistics

Data and statistics about walking and cycling, based on the National Travel Survey and Active Lives Survey.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
16 April 2013
Last updated
27 March 2025 — See all updates

Latest walking and cycling statistics

Transition of the Walking and Cycling Statistics release into other statistical series 

As part of efforts to ensure continued relevance and coherence of Department for Transport statistics, statistics previously in the department’s Walking and Cycling Statistics series are now covered solely in other publications. Specifically: 

  • statistics from the National Travel Survey (NTS) are now published as part of the NTS statistical release. These can be accessed from the National Travel Survey collection. The 2024 NTS release contains a dedicated active travel chapter
  • statistics from the Active Lives Survey (ALS) are now published solely by Sport England. For example, data on the cycling and walking activity of adults in the last 28 days can be obtained from the Active Lives Survey website

Although core measures of active travel from both surveys will continue to be available - providing comprehensive insight into walking and cycling activity - some previous disaggregated metrics may no longer be produced, or may be available in a slightly different format. For example, users of current walking and cycling tables derived from the NTS may find they have to switch to similar NTS tables derived using an alternative baseline, whilst analysis of higher frequency walking and cycling activity previous derived from the Active Lives Survey will no longer be routinely produced. We will continue to review the full suite of figures made available on this topic, taking into account user feedback. 

We are inviting your views on this adjustment and ask that you give us your feedback directed to: localtransport.statistics@dft.gov.uk.

Walking and cycling statistics present data from the NTS and the ALS. The NTS is a household survey of personal travel by residents of England travelling within Great Britain, from data collected via interviews and a one-week travel diary. The ALS is a household survey by residents of England, from data collected via a push-to-web survey.

Walking and cycling data tables

Cycling traffic index statistics, England

In March 2025, following an internal review of statistical resource, its deployment and relative statistical priorities – reflecting on user feedback and usage of figures – the department decided to suspend the Cycling Traffic Index, with a view to ending the statistical series. User views were invited on this subject via survey and email, to which 2 responses were received. Although both responses were in favour of continuing the series, the low level of response relative to other engagement exercises previously undertaken is viewed as being reflective of low user demand for the series, which was noted as a concern following analysis of website analytics ahead of our previous announcement. As a consequence, the department has opted to continue the suspension of this series and is undertaking work to remove its official statistics status.

The cycling traffic index shows the change in cycling levels in England. These statistics are a rolling annual index.

Statistics used to produce the Cycling Traffic Index are official statistics. The department’s view is that all statistics which are not designated as accredited official statistics are robust and have been produced to a suitable standard following the Code of Practice.

About the walking and cycling data and reports

Statistics from the NTS were assessed in 2010 by the UK Statistics Authority. The statistics were confirmed as accredited official statistics (formerly National Statistics) in July 2011. Following a compliance check in September 2018, the NTS maintained its accredited official statistics designation.

Statistics from the ALS are official statistics. The department’s view is that all statistics which are not designated as accredited official statistics are robust and have been produced to a suitable standard following the Code of Practice.

Updates to this page

Published 16 April 2013
Last updated 27 March 2025 show all updates

  1. Note and survey published concerning the suspension of the Cycling Traffic Index publication.

  2. Cycling traffic index up to September 2024 published.

  3. Cycling traffic index up to June 2024 published.

  4. Walking and cycling statistics, England: 2023 added. Background information has moved to the about section.

  5. Cycling traffic index, up to March 2024 published.

  6. Cycling traffic index (updated to December 2023) added.

  7. Walking and cycling statistics, England: 2022 added.

  8. New cycling index for England added to collection.

  9. Walking and cycling statistics in England for 2021 added.

  10. Walking and cycling statistics, England 2020 added to collection.

  11. Walking and cycling statistics in England for the year 2019 added to collection.

  12. Updated for 31 July 2019 publication.

  13. New release published and latest walking and cycling statistics updated.

  14. Page revised and updated for the 2016 statistics release.

  15. New release published.

  16. 'Local area walking and cycling in England: 2013 to 2014' released.

  17. First published.

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