Inverness Walking and Cycling Index

Formerly known as Bike Life, this is the UK's biggest ever study of walking, wheeling and cycling.

This report builds on the evidence from 2019 showing that our Inverness communities want better, safer and more cohesive walking and cycling networks.

Every year, walking and cycling in Inverness results in:

188

serious long-term health conditions prevented

£45.3 million

in economic benefit for individuals and the region

2,800 tonnes

of greenhouse gas emissions saved

Icon of navy car.

Up to 16,000

cars taken off the road every day

Emily, Katie, Helen and Krissy tell us about Mums on Wheels, a weekly group bike ride for mums and young children in Inverness.

Therapeutic Radiographer Laura McGuire posing for a photo on a green cycle route in Inverness

Laura McGuire, Therapeutic Radiographer

I live in Inverness and work as a Therapeutic Radiographer at Raigmore Hospital.

I walk or cycle to work as it’s a great way of including exercise as part of my daily routine. It’s great as I don’t have to deal with the busy hospital car park. I also walk and cycle to minimise my impact on the environment.

I’m lucky that there is a cycle path the whole way to the hospital as I wouldn’t feel comfortable cycling on busy roads. Generally, I do feel safe cycling and walking in Inverness but I would cycle more if there were more good quality cycle lanes.

Anything that can be done to boost cycling in Inverness would be a good thing.

  

The people of Inverness walk or wheel the equivalent of the length of Great Britain 64 times per day.

Residents cycle the same distance 28 times per day.

However, the findings in this report show that there is the potential for a far greater benefit.

13.7 million journeys of up to three miles are driven in Inverness each year. Many of these could be undertaken by a non-motorised mode of transport.

80% of people support the creation of 20-minute neighbourhoods where amenities and services, such as shops, green space and GPs, are located within a twenty-minute return walk or wheel of where they live.

Front cover of the Inverness Walking and Cycling Index

Download the Inverness Walking and Cycling Index

See Inverness' vision for walking, wheeling and cycling.

Download the report.

This report is also available in a text-only format.

  

Inverness through the years

This is the second time we've assessed cycling in Inverness. Download the previous report:

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