An organisation which brands itself as the charity making it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle has partnered with Transport for All to conduct the Disabled Citizens’ Inquiry.
Sustrans says its UK-wide research is funded by Motability and looks at how disabled people experience walking and wheeling in the UK.
The study provides recommendations made by disabled people to help decision-makers, and local and national government transport and planning teams make places and streets better for people.
We asked disabled people what would help disabled people walk or wheel more, 79 per cent said they would like to see a panel of disabled people that reviews walking and wheeling policy and holds government to account.
Others focused more on infrastructure with 73 per cent calling for a ban on vehicles parking on pavements, 78 per cent asking for funding to maintain and improve pavements and 88 per cent wanting more services to be provided within walking distance of where they live.
Among the overall recommendations which followed the study were improved access to mobility aids and to off-road routes and better integration of waling and wheeling with public transport.
Another key point highlighted by the responses was to ensure disabled people inform walking and wheeling policy and practice by giving them better representation in how decisions, funding and delivery happen, with a paid expert panel in all governments and local authorities.
Sustrans reported that the cost-of-living crisis is disproportionately affecting disabled people with 52 per cent concerned about their ability to make essential journeys.
The charity said: “We believe walking and wheeling should be the most equitable mode of travel across the UK. Everyone should have the freedom to walk or wheel independently around their neighbourhood but to achieve this, the experiences of disabled people need to be at the centre of policy, investment and delivery across the transport sector.
“Streets that are difficult for disabled people to access and navigate can lead to poor health, reduced independence and increased isolation. Bringing disabled people’s voices into the heart of decision-making can improve walking and wheeling for everyone. That’s why we’re calling on local and national governments to give disabled people a voice when it comes to decisions that affect how they get around their local area.”
