Slow Ways is already a brilliant citizen-made walking network, be we know it could be so much better in the future. Here’s an adapted extract from the Slow Ways Pocket Atlas on The UK’s future Slow Ways.
We deserve and need an extensive and easy-to-use walking and wheeling network. That is what we’re co-creating, and by exploring this atlas you are already part of Slow Ways’ future.
Good walking and wheeling routes are pathways to longer and richer lives.
The benefits of delivering such a network are numerous, and the consequences of not making it easy for people to enjoy walking and wheeling journeys is already costly for both individuals and society.
Walking is good for the mind and body. It draws you into being part of the natural world. It creates practical and emotional connections between people and communities. As a pastime it’s economical – both for your own pocket, and the planet’s limited resources. Where routes exist there is something to protect and improve. And as the network grows it becomes a superhighway for ideas, memories, friendships and trust.
While Britain is rich with paths and rights of way we can do much better in how they are mapped, understood and made use of.
Our paths are by no means as used, extensive, inclusive, signed, managed or funded as they should be. And we don’t just need to improve our existing paths – we need new ones too.
We need a walking and wheeling network for:
Everyone
Our future network should be as safe, inclusive and accessible as possible so that it can benefit as many people as possible.
And access and connectivity are not just important for humans. They are critical for the rest of nature too. Our future network should be designed to help wildlife move through the landscape too.
Everywhere
There should be a good way to walk or wheel to any address in Britain. As a rule of thumb, if you can drive somewhere you should also be able to travel there under your own steam.
And where there is a right to roam we should share recommended ways to go that are sensitive to people, place, land and life.
Every day
Walking and wheeling should be part of everyday life. People should be able to walk or wheel to see friends, go to the shops, get to school or immerse themselves in nature.
We don’t even know what a country with a fully tested, trusted walking and wheeling network would feel like to live in. How will it develop? What will it enable? What will it mean to people?
We are not waiting for governments to make this happen. Thousands of people are excited by this great step forward, and are helping to bring it about. Sheer citizen-power is making this a reality.
We call on our local and national governments to get involved too! A proper national walking and wheeling network would be popular with the public and a great investment in the future.
In the meantime, most of the routes in this atlas are ready to be enjoyed – just not by as many people as we would like. We think that is not good enough.
By being part of this project we can each help discover more about the routes there are, identify better ones, and share that information with people who it really matters to.
Enjoy our routes and maps – they are a lifetime and more of possibilities!