Home » SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL » Bristol’s New Active Travel Projects to Make City More Accessible for Tourists

Published on
September 14, 2025

A 2.3 million investment pounds is about to work wonders for active travel across Bristol, opening doors to easy, green journeys for both visitors and residents. Coming from the UK Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund, the cash will flow into upgrades to the city’s walking, cycling, and wheeling networks, turning the city into a friendlier, more sustainable spot to explore.

Bristol’s Transport and Connectivity Committee approved the funding on September 11, 2025, marking the beginning of several exciting active travel initiatives aimed at promoting healthier and more eco-friendly travel options for residents and visitors.

Key Projects for Sustainable Travel in Bristol

Among the main projects to receive funding are several initiatives designed to reduce car traffic and enhance the walking and cycling experience in key areas of the city. One of the standout plans is the transformation of the Prince Street Bridge, which will be converted into a pedestrian and cycling-only bridge. This will improve the safety and convenience of the route for over 24,000 daily users, who currently use the bridge for walking and cycling. With just over 1,700 motor vehicle trips daily, the reallocation of space aims to make the bridge a welcoming and sustainable travel route.

Another major focus is improving connections on Bath Road. Aiming to better link Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and the A4 Bath Bridges area, the project will create new infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, including new bridges and paths to ease congestion and enhance accessibility. With more than 4,000 daily users of the existing shared path, the initiative is expected to increase significantly once the new routes are completed, providing a smoother and more accessible way for tourists and locals to travel.

Making Bristol More Accessible for Tourists

Tourists visiting Bristol will benefit greatly from these improvements, as many of the new routes and infrastructures connect key tourist spots such as M Shed, the SS Great Britain, and Wapping Wharf. With these places already popular among visitors, improving access through safe, traffic-free zones will enhance their overall experience, encouraging more sustainable travel to these locations.

Additionally, Bristol plans to roll out initiatives aimed at improving public awareness of sustainable travel options, including free bike loans, training, and maintenance programs. These programs are expected to encourage tourists to make the switch from cars to more sustainable modes of travel, further enhancing Bristol’s reputation as a green and accessible city.

For families, School Streets programs will be expanded, creating safer zones outside schools. This will make it easier for families visiting Bristol with children to move around, while also benefiting the local community by reducing congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times.

A Greener, More Connected Bristol

The newly allocated funding, part of a larger 4.78 million Pounds total awarded to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, comes at a time when cities across the world are focusing on becoming more eco-friendly and reducing carbon footprints. As part of this investment, around 20 cycle hangars will be installed throughout Bristol, giving residents and visitors secure parking for their bicycles, making it more convenient to explore the city by bike.

Bristol’s Efforts Toward Sustainable Tourism

This commitment to sustainable transport is crucial for the future of tourism in the region. As visitors increasingly prioritise eco-friendly destinations, Bristol is setting an example for other UK cities by prioritising greener travel options. With these improvements, the city will not only reduce congestion and pollution but also support a more inclusive growth model, ensuring that travel is accessible to all visitors, regardless of their mobility needs.

A Greener Future for Bristol’s Tourists and Locals

Bristol is setting a remarkable benchmark for sustainable urban travel. Fresh funding from the Department for Transport will drive the work needed to brighten the greenhouse and the footprint in tandem. With the upgrades ahead, whether you wander the cobbled routes, pedal the Harbourside, or glide the Bridge, every mile will whisper the name of a greener choice. Tourists who prize planet, health, and easy discovery will find Bristol warmly rolling out the welcome mat. The relentless commitment to first-rate cycling and walking paths will open every nook and cranny of this living, breathing living postcard.