A new report examining how people travel around Inverness has highlighted the growing impact of walking, wheeling and cycling on the city’s health, economy and environment.
The Inverness Walking and Cycling Index 2025 was launched on Tuesday 10th of March at the Northern Meeting Park Pavilion, bringing together residents, campaign groups, council representatives and transport organisations.
The two yearly report explores how people move around the city and what changes residents would like to see in the future.
Researchers found that walking, wheeling and cycling in Inverness currently prevent around 223 serious long term health conditions every year.
The report also estimates that active travel contributes £75.3 million to the local economy while preventing around 3,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
The Index is produced through a partnership between the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Highland Council.
The charity works with local authorities across twenty two cities and regions throughout the United Kingdom to produce similar studies on travel behaviour.
Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of the City of Inverness, said the report provides valuable insight into how people want to move around the city.
“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.”
The report highlights that many residents support improvements that would make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and safer.
Fiona MacLeod, Director for Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland at the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said the findings show strong public support for further investment.
“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.”
Highland Council said the report reflects progress made since the first Inverness Walking and Cycling Index was published in 2019.
Malcolm MacLeod, the council’s Assistant Chief Executive for Place, said several active travel improvements have already been delivered across the city.
“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.”
The report also features experiences from local residents who regularly walk or cycle in the city.
Dr Kristina Muir, who cycles to work at Raigmore Hospital, said active travel has made a significant difference to her daily routine.
“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 through funding from Transport Scotland.
