Halfords is proud to partner with Sustrans to launch the first-ever Children’s Walking and Cycling Index, a report that examines the habits, challenges, and opportunities surrounding children’s walking, wheeling, and cycling experiences—an area that has long needed focused attention.
This marks the first time a report will focus on the unique travel needs of children. With increasing mental health challenges and a growing need for physical activity, integrating walking, wheeling, and cycling into daily routines is vital to improving overall health. The children cycling today will continue to be cyclists in the future, reinforcing the importance of encouraging active travel from a young age.
Inspiring more children to cycle
Since 2002, the number of children walking or cycling to school has declined, along with sales of children’s bikes. Through this collaboration, we aim to inspire more young people to cycle safely while enjoying the benefits of being on two wheels.
Children’s voices are often missing from transport discussions. When they are considered, the focus tends to be narrowly on school travel, leaving out how important everyday mobility is for their independence, social interactions, and overall wellbeing. Ignoring children’s travel needs also impacts families, with many parents taking on the role of chauffeurs.
Active travel like cycling benefits children’s health by boosting fitness, enhancing mental wellbeing, and fostering stronger social connections. It also supports cleaner, greener communities, offering families a low-cost transport alternative that reduces congestion and cuts carbon emissions.
More safe travel options for children needed
It’s crucial that children have safe, inviting, and practical travel options. We need improved cycling infrastructure, public transport, and walking paths. The report highlights what children across the UK have to say, offering decision-makers clearer insights into how to support active travel and encourage independence.
The Children’s Walking and Cycling Index Summit
The gap between children’s needs and what’s available isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a matter of health, sustainability, and future wellbeing. To address this, Halfords and Sustrans will host the Children’s Walking and Cycling Index Summit in May 2025. This summit will bring together key stakeholders, including industry leaders and policymakers, to discuss the findings and develop strategies to make walking, wheeling, and cycling central to children’s travel.
As the UK’s top cycling retailer, our mission is to inspire a lifetime of cycling. As a sponsor of the Children’s Walking and Cycling Index, we’re committed to listening to young voices and reshaping transport systems around their needs. By collaborating with experts, including Sustrans and the government, we aim to empower children and families to cycle more confidently, ensuring the infrastructure is in place to provide greater flexibility and choice in how they travel
The report launches in parliament to a small restricted audience on the 24th Feb. The public launch where the Index will be released is the 26th Feb.
