Cycle industry round table develops hit list of priorities to boost UK’s health

In an industry roundtable convened yesterday (15 May 2025) by the Cycle to Work Alliance, leaders from across the active travel, business and cycling advocacy sectors came together to chart a new course for inclusive cycling in the UK, including a four-point hit list of priorities. A powerful collective industry voice was among the areas identified, as was making good on delivering what is often already in policy.

The roundtable brought urgent focus to the barriers preventing millions from embracing active travel – from persistent safety concerns to systemic inaccessibility for underrepresented groups such as women, lower paid workers and the self-employed.

The message was clear: the policy foundations are in place, but without real-world delivery and a collective sector voice, the UK risks leaving too many behind on the journey to a healthier, more active nation.

Key priorities for transformation:

1. Making cycling safe and inclusive for all
The roundtable placed a spotlight on the gender gap in cycling – driven by safety fears, lack of early training, and an industry that still doesn’t reflect cycling as an everyday activity for all people. Public polling commissioned by the Alliance late last year revealed that men are over 25% more likely to cycle than women, with confidence and safety cited as primary concerns.

Attendees called for urgent action to embed inclusion into the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. From expanding targeted cycle training to improving cycle storage and changing cultural norms, the sector agreed that building a safe environment – physically and socially – is essential to shift behaviour at scale.

2. Unlocking local delivery and employer engagement
While national strategies offer strong frameworks, local implementation remains fragmented. Councils are often underfunded and overstretched, yet they are vital to delivering the infrastructure, support, and communications that make cycling viable in everyday life.

The group highlighted the role of employers and local leaders in building a culture of active travel – from workplace messaging to safe cycling infrastructure. Schools, high streets, and local commuting routes were all identified as priority areas for investment and reform.

3. Expanding access – especially for self-employed and low-income workers
As the world of work evolves, so too must the reach of the Cycle to Work Scheme. Participants discussed how structural barriers – particularly the limitations of salary sacrifice for self-employed individuals – continue to exclude key groups from accessing affordable bikes and eBikes.

The group called for the development of new mechanisms, including retail finance models and direct support options, to widen access without compromising the scheme’s core strengths. With the gig economy growing, this was seen as not only a matter of equity, but of economic common sense.

4. Building a unified voice for the sector
Above all, attendees stressed the need for greater collaboration across public, private and third-sector organisations. Proposals included a shared charter on inclusive travel planning, a common data and evidence base and forums to align messaging and influence national policy with a single, consistent voice.

By coordinating efforts and focusing on shared outcomes – reduced car dependency, improved public health, and a transition to low-carbon mobility – the active travel sector can unlock systemic change.

Some of those points echo those made by other parties within the industry, not least a cycling manifesto produced from one of CIN’s columnists – particularly the point about the industry working together and combining to produce more coherent messaging.

Steve Edgell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said: “This roundtable showed the sector at its best – ambitious, collaborative and focused on removing barriers that hold people back. For 25 years, the Cycle to Work Scheme has helped millions access active travel. Now, we must go further: we must ensure cycling is a real, safe, and accessible choice for everyone, regardless of background or employment status. The time for inclusive, joined-up action is now.”