Renfrewshire locals are being encouraged to walk more as a national charity warns that unsafe and poorly maintained routes are putting people off.
A new survey from Walking Scotland found that 57% of Scots now walk or wheel every day, but almost six in ten say they’d walk more if local routes were safer and better looked after. The charity says this reflects what people in Renfrewshire have been telling them for years – that uneven pavements, poor lighting and a lack of safe crossing points are holding back everyday walking.
The findings come as Scotland’s only government-supported community path fund is due to end in 2026, which the charity says will leave councils and communities, including those in Renfrewshire, without the support needed to maintain and improve local routes.
Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive of Walking Scotland, said: “Scots want to walk more, and many are. But these figures show too many people still face barriers that stop them. It’s time to make walking the easy choice for everyone. This is a moment to listen to what communities are telling us.
“We know that almost six in 10 would walk more if path infrastructure was better, so the ambition is there. People want to walk.”
The majority of respondents said walking benefits their mental and physical health, and a strong network of paths and pavements is one of the biggest factors in deciding whether they walk or wheel. Many Renfrewshire residents told the survey they wanted to walk more for leisure and everyday journeys but felt that local conditions held them back.
Scotland has led the way in promoting walking and wheeling, but the loss of the only remaining path fund in 2026 will leave a major gap. With the next Scottish Parliament election approaching, Walking Scotland is calling for a new National Path Fund to make walking easier and safer for everyone, including communities across Renfrewshire.
Kevin added: “Demand for our support and advice is higher than ever. This research gives a clear direction of travel. A National Path Fund would ensure everyone in Scotland has access to safe, well-maintained routes.”
The charity says every pound spent on walking infrastructure returns up to six pounds in health, economic and environmental benefits. It also says the new survey will help identify areas most in need of investment – including neighbourhoods in Renfrewshire where people consistently report poor pavements and a lack of safe crossings.
Walking Scotland says the evidence is clear: where paths are safe, accessible and well-maintained, people choose to walk and wheel more often. The charity wants this to be the reality for everyone in Renfrewshire and beyond.
The full survey can be read here: https://walkingscotland.org.uk/scottish-walking-and-wheeling-survey-2025.
Headline photo credit: Walking Scotland