Active travel, encompassing walking and cycling, plays a vital role in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and advancing sustainable development. The PATH Active Travel Policy Template promotes a vision for safe, enjoyable, and accessible active travel to mitigate climate change, enhance public health, reduce pollution, and foster inclusive societies. The template includes five policy goals, objectives, and 20 evidence-based actions that address safety, equity, and environmental benefits while encouraging countries to integrate active travel into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy frameworks.
Case studies highlight global momentum in active travel adoption, with countries like Colombia, Ethiopia, and Singapore aligning active travel with their NDC commitments. Examples include Ethiopia’s ambitious infrastructure investments and Singapore’s integration of walking and cycling with public transport to achieve significant emissions reductions. Regional efforts, such as Africa’s pan-African action plan and Europe’s cycling and walking master plans, underscore the potential for collaboration to inspire broader adoption of active travel policies. These initiatives demonstrate the transformative impact of active travel on climate goals, public health, and urban equity while providing a roadmap for future national and regional actions.