Perth Walking and Cycling Index

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

We are committed to making Perth an exciting, accessible and sustainable city with more people travelling actively. This benefits health, air quality and the wider environment and complements our efforts to revive high streets and create vibrant, liveable local communities.

– Brian Cargill, Traffic and Network Service Manager, Perth & Kinross Council

Every year, walking and cycling in Perth results in:

170

serious long-term health conditions prevented

£40.1 million

in economic benefit for individuals and the region

2,000 tonnes

of greenhouse gas emissions saved

Icon of navy car.

Up to 13,000

cars taken off the road every day

Craigie-Lee, Chair of the Perth & Kinross Cycling campaign By-Cycle, talks about her love of cycling.

Lydia McGinely, a teacher in Perth, smiles as she sits on a wall wearing her helmet in front of a colourful cycling sign

Lydia McGinely, Teacher

I’m a teacher who lives in Perth and works in Blairgowrie. I cycle to keep fit and get out into the countryside.

I usually go out on half-day rides on long routes. Almondbank and the National Cycle Network route 77 are my favourites.

I use the National Cycle Network a lot, whether it’s small sections or the longer ride out to Dunkeld. It feels like you’re immediately out in the countryside without having gone far.

In Perth, a lot of the painted on road cycle lanes tend to get parked in. The traffic is always busy. That’s why I wouldn’t feel confident cycling to work.

  

Walking is the most popular form of travel in Perth, with 57% of residents walking or wheeling their journeys at least five days each week.

This compares to 41% of people who use a car, 7% who use public transport, and 5% who cycle at least five days a week.

The survey also found 51% of residents want to see more government spending on walking and wheeling, with 66% of respondents supporting building more cycle tracks along roads, physically separated from traffic and pedestrians.

Nearly two-thirds of residents (63%) said increasing space for people socialising, walking, and cycling on their local high street would improve their local area.

A total of 77% of Perth residents support the creation of more 20-minute neighbourhoods where amenities and services, such as shops, green space and GPs are located within a 20-minute return walk or wheel of where they live.

Front cover of the Perth Walking and Cycling Index

Download the Perth Walking and Cycling Index

See Perth's vision for walking, wheeling and cycling.

Download the report.

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

  

Perth through the years

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

Share this page

Tell your friends and family about the Walking and Cycling Index and help your city make walking, wheeling and cycling attractive and accessible for everyone.

 Linkedin icon Email icon

Got a question about the Walking and Cycling Index?

Please get in touch.

Send email