Inverness on the Move: What the 2025 Walking and Cycling Index Tells Us
Every year walking, wheeling and cycling in Inverness:
- Prevents 223 serious long-term health conditions each year
- Creates £75.3 million for the local economy
- Saves 3,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Inverness Walking and Cycling Index is a two-yearly report looking in detail at the travel choices and attitudes of Inverness residents. It is a mix of detailed research and individual stories, together painting a picture of how people currently move around the city – and how they would like to.
This latest report was launched today (Tuesday 10 March) at the Northern Meeting Park Pavillion in Inverness, attended by residents, campaigning organisations, elected members, council officers and reps from the Index.
The Index is a partnership between charity Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) and The Highland Council; the Trust work with local authorities in 22 cities and regions across the UK on these reports.
Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of the City of Inverness, said: “I very much welcome this latest report and my particular thanks go to those Inverness residents who have kindly shared their walking, wheeling and cycling stories.
“Residents can rest assured that we are working hard to secure funding to deliver the necessary improvements for all residents and visitors to have the choice of active, healthy, green everyday journeys – particularly with the exciting opening of the Inverness Castle Experience, which will bring many more trips in and out of the city.”
Fiona MacLeod, Director for Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: “This year’s Index delivers a clear and consistent message: people in Inverness want to walk, wheel and cycle more often. And they are supportive of improvements that would help them make these choices.
“As well as offering people healthier, fairer choices for their everyday journeys, the Index shows the broader impact of these improvements. Walking, wheeling and cycling in Inverness prevents 223 serious long-term health conditions each year, creates £75.3 million for the local economy, and saves 3,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
“All of this underlines the need for sustained investment and local leadership to keep making walking, wheeling and cycling possible for more people. We are delighted to continue working closely with The Highland Council on this shared vision, backed by local people."
Malcolm MacLeod, the Council’s Assistant Chief Executive for Place, added: “This is the fourth Inverness Index, with the first one being in 2019, and it is heartening to reflect on how many walking, wheeling and cycling schemes we have been able to deliver since then: from the high-profile ones like the Golden Bridge and the Riverside Way through to installation of dropped kerbs and our new behaviour change and road safety work.”
Dr Kristina Muir, one of the residents featuring in the report, said: “I cycle to work at Raigmore and really feel the benefits for my health and quality of life. I know it also helps the environment that I cycle instead of driving for my regular commute. I’d love to see more routes for cycling in Inverness separated from traffic, like the Riverside Way which is a real pleasure to ride. It’s also great that the Raigmore Interchange is being upgraded, it will make it so much more accessible for people walking, wheeling and cycling.”
The Walking and Cycling Index is supported by funding from Transport Scotland.