Research: Three in four young Welsh back street redesign
About three in four young people aged between 16 and 30 in Wales want streets to be redesigned to make cycling and walking safer, according to recent research commissioned by national cycling charity Cycling UK.
A YouGov survey commissioned by the charity found that 74% of respondents aged 16 to 30 supported redesigning streets to improve safety and accessibility. Beyond support among young people, there was broad backing across Wales, with a clear majority (58%) supporting safer street redesign.
The survey also revealed young people’s attitudes towards government investment in walking and cycling, with 60% saying they supported Cycling UK’s call for 10% of the overall transport budget to be allocated to active travel.
In terms of behavioural changes, 7% of respondents in 2024–25 travelled by bike at least once a week. This is similar to the 2022–23 level but higher than the 5% recorded in 2021–22. These trends illustrate a generation interested in making more journeys by bike or on foot and open to changing their travel habits if conditions improve.
Additionally, 24% of young people said they would drive less if street design for walking and cycling were safer.
The research also highlights important differences in how safe women and men feel on Welsh roads. Women are less likely than men to say roads are safe for walking and cycling, underlining the continued need to create environments where everyone feels confident travelling on foot or by bike. At the same time, women show slightly stronger support for change, with nearly two-thirds (61%) backing street redesign compared with 55% of men.
“It’s really encouraging to see such strong backing from younger generations, alongside clear recognition that more needs to be done to improve road safety. When we invest in better street design and protected cycle lanes, we create places that work better for everyone – including people who drive,” said Gwenda Owen, Wales Advocacy Lead at Cycling UK.
With Wales set to hold the Senedd election in May, Cycling UK also announced several manifesto pledges, including increasing investment in active travel to at least 10% of the total transport budget within five years, building safer roads for everyone, improving access to green spaces for public health, and increasing transport choice and connectivity for all.
