Dozens of civil society groups have called on the UK government to significantly expand support for cycling and walking, arguing that this summer's extreme heat and wildfires are direct evidence of the climate emergency and that the transport sector must urgently cut its carbon emissions.
In a coordinated appeal, the groups said the recent heatwaves and wildfires were "immediate, real-world manifestations of the climate emergency" and that reform of transport, which produces more carbon emissions than any other sector in the UK, should be treated as an urgent national priority. The campaigners argue that promoting active travel is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce the country's carbon footprint while also improving public health and air quality.
The demand comes after a summer marked by record-breaking temperatures and fire outbreaks across parts of the country, events that scientists have linked to human-caused climate change. The groups contend that these conditions make it impossible to delay meaningful action on transport policy, which has lagged behind other sectors in cutting emissions.
Active travel advocates point to a range of measures they say the government should adopt, including safer cycle lanes, better integration of walking and cycling routes with public transport, and financial incentives for people to switch from cars to bikes or on foot. They also stress the need for long-term, consistent funding rather than short-term projects that fail to create lasting change.
The appeal reflects growing concern among environmental and health organisations that the UK is not moving fast enough to meet its legally binding climate targets. Transport has been described as the country's most stubborn source of emissions, with road transport accounting for the largest share. While electric vehicles are expected to play a role in reducing emissions, campaigners argue that they cannot solve congestion or the health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles.
They also note that walking and cycling are zero-carbon modes of travel that can be adopted immediately by millions of people, making them a crucial part of any serious decarbonisation strategy. The groups are urging the government to treat investment in active travel as infrastructure spending on par with roads and railways, rather than as a marginal policy area.
The call for action is likely to intensify pressure on ministers ahead of the next round of climate policy announcements. Previous government strategies have set ambitious targets for increasing cycling and walking rates, but campaigners say delivery has been inconsistent and underfunded. They warn that without a step change in approach, the UK risks falling further behind other European countries that have already built extensive networks of cycle highways and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces.
The groups also highlight the social dimension of the issue, noting that people in deprived areas often have the least access to cars and are disproportionately affected by air pollution and extreme heat. Investing in safe, accessible walking and cycling routes, they argue, would help address these inequalities while contributing to the national effort to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
As the effects of climate change become more visible, the campaigners say the choice is clear: either the UK embraces a serious shift toward active travel or it continues to rely on carbon-intensive transport that worsens the very conditions that made this summer so extreme. They are calling on the government to respond with concrete policies and funding commitments, not just words.
