Guidance

Designing accessible rural active travel

Guidance on planning and designing walking, wheeling and cycling routes and facilities in rural areas.

• From: Active Travel England
• Published: 14 July 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Rural design guide for active travel

PDF, 61.6 MB, 253 pages

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Rural design guide for active travel - case studies

PDF, 46 MB, 172 pages

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Details

Technical guidance and case studies to help councils in England to plan and design walking, wheeling and cycling routes and facilities in rural areas.

The guidance also contains appendices on:

• route creation and improvement options
• acquiring land and rights
• the rural delivery routemap

The 17 case studies illustrate areas such as:

• effective engagement and collaboration with stakeholders and landowners
• improving accessibility, safety and connectivity of routes
• supporting local ecology

Published 14 July 2026