Making active places 2026
The UK Transport Secretary outlined the government’s commitment to integrating walking, wheeling and cycling into daily transport networks at the Making Active Places 2026 conference.
The Transport Secretary highlighted personal and governmental reasons for prioritising active travel, drawing on childhood memories of cycling in Swindon and later experiences in London. He emphasised that active travel fosters independence and joy, framing it as a core value of his approach. The speech underscored the need to move beyond treating walking, wheeling and cycling as secondary options in transport planning.
He recalled delivering segregated cycling infrastructure in London, including Cycleway 4 to Greenwich, which now serves thousands daily. The Transport Secretary contrasted this with earlier challenges, such as cycling across London on a budget without access to public transport. His remarks reflected a long-standing personal and professional commitment to improving active travel infrastructure.
The speech stressed the importance of building an integrated transport network that includes active travel as a fundamental component. The Transport Secretary argued that walking, wheeling and cycling should be considered essential for everyday journeys, such as commuting to work or accessing public transport.
He concluded by calling for an end to active travel being treated as an afterthought, positioning it as a key tool for providing people with genuine transport choices. The remarks were delivered at the Making Active Places 2026 conference in Manchester.