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<\/a><\/p>\nThe Board has conducted detailed research into Welsh law and policy on access barriers, finding that while good progress has been made across Wales, discriminatory barriers such as A-frames, narrow chicanes and kissing gates continue to prevent disabled people, older people using mobility aids, and parents with prams from using active travel routes.<\/p>\n
Amanda Say, a transport accessibility campaigner and Board Subgroup member who uses a powerchair, explained:\u00a0\u201cWhat appears as a simple journey for many can become an insurmountable obstacle for others. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome barriers make a complete journey impossible and force you to retrace your journey, creating anxiety about the range of my powerchair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe irony is that these barriers are meant to improve safety, but they often create the very accessibility problems we\u2019re trying to solve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commenting on the Board\u2019s new recommendations, Chair Kirsty James said:\u00a0\u201cWe must ensure that every pound spent moves us closer to our goal of becoming a true active travel nation where walking, wheeling and cycling are accessible choices for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWales is showing real leadership in creating transport systems that work for everyone and this year\u2019s annual report does demonstrate progress, including a 17% proportional increase in adult cycling, a new Active Travel to Schools Hub, and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the challenges ahead are significant, and our recommendations try to tackle those head on.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Board has issued\u00a0six new recommendations\u00a0to be completed up until 2030:<\/p>\n
Vital Role of Ring-fenced Funding:
Reinstate ring-fenced funding of at least \u00a350 million annually with minimum 4% annual increases and continue Transport for Wales\u2019 administration role.<\/p>\n
Build an Effective Active Travel to School Hub:
Establish the Hub as a dynamic vehicle to coordinate infrastructure and behaviour change programmes by 2027.<\/p>\n
Accelerate Wales-Wide Barrier Removal:
Remove all discriminatory access barriers from active travel routes by 2027, unless objectively justified.<\/p>\n
Embed Inclusive Design Throughout Active Travel Delivery:
Incorporate mandatory equality, diversity and inclusion design reviews with specialist input from groups representing protected characteristics in all investments.<\/p>\n
Support Safe E-Cycling While Addressing Public Safety Issues:
Promote legally compliant e-cycling while taking action against non-compliant e-bikes and unregistered e-motorbikes.<\/p>\n
Effective Promotion of Active Travel:
Publish final statutory guidance by November 2025 and embed behavioural science approaches from April 2026.<\/p>\n