Transportation, Access and Mobility

Introduction

Sheffield's steep hills, fragmented transport network, and poorly connected pedestrian routes present major barriers to everyday movement, particularly for older adults, disabled residents, young people, and families with children. Many footpaths and public walkways feature steep gradients, steps, or narrow walkways, making it difficult for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, and those using prams to travel safely and independently.

Public transport options, while available, can be infrequent, costly, or difficult to access from some neighbourhoods, especially in areas where walking to a tram stop or bus route may involve navigating long, sloped roads or unsafe crossings.

At the same time, there is a growing need to encourage active travel, such as walking, cycling, and wheeling, to help reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, promote physical and mental health, and cut congestion and road traffic injuries.

However, uptake of active travel is uneven across the city. Some residents feel unsafe cycling on busy roads or using public spaces that are poorly lit or affected by antisocial behaviour. E-bikes and e-scooters — legal and illegal — have added complexity to how people share road space and use pedestrian paths.

Projects

7: Active Travel and City Geography

The city's topography presents a significant challenge for active travel. Sheffield is famously built on seven hills, making walking and cycling strenuous for many. Despite efforts to promote these modes of transport, uptake remains low. For instance, cycling accounts for only 0.8% of trips in Sheffield, compared to higher percentages in flatter UK cities [1]. Residents have expressed concerns about safety and the lack of segregated cycle routes, which further discourages cycling [2].

Student challenge: How can we support more people to walk or cycle in a hilly city like Sheffield? Could we design infrastructure, tools, or services that reduce the effort, improve safety, or make active travel more accessible, especially in lower-income or high-gradient areas?

8: E-Bikes: A Solution with Challenges

The rise of e-bikes offers a potential solution to the city's hilly terrain, providing assistance to riders on steep inclines. However, the misuse of high-powered or modified e-bikes has become a concern. In late 2024, South Yorkshire Police seized over 50 illegal e-bikes and five e-scooters in Sheffield city centre as part of a safety crackdown [3]. These vehicles often exceed legal speed limits and are used irresponsibly, posing risks to pedestrians and other road users.

Student challenge: How might we design community-friendly solutions to address the misuse of illegal e-bikes? Could we create awareness tools, safer shared infrastructure, or low-cost alternatives that promote responsible use while supporting active travel in hilly areas?

9: Road Safety and Vulnerable Users

Road safety remains a pressing issue in Sheffield. In 2023, there were 1,063 road traffic casualties in the city, an 8.6% increase from the previous year [4]. Particularly alarming is the number of children affected; Sheffield has a worse record on child road casualties than nearly all other metropolitan areas, with 10–12 under-16 casualties annually [5].

Student challenge: Can we design new ways to reduce road deaths and collisions in Sheffield? What tools, technologies, or design changes could make local streets safer for everyone, especially in high-risk areas near schools, shops, and parks?

10: Public Transport Integration

Sheffield's network comprises buses, trams, and trains, but coordination between these modes is lacking. Many commuters face disjointed journeys, requiring multiple tickets and dealing with unaligned schedules. This fragmentation discourages public transport use, leading to increased car dependency. In fact, 57.1% of trips in Sheffield are made by car or taxi, while only 15.4% are by bus and 5.8% by tram [1]. Efforts to improve integration, such as smart ticketing, are in progress, but accessibility concerns remain, especially for disabled users [6].

Student challenge: Is there a better way to connect Sheffield's public transport network? Could we design tools, spaces, or systems that make switching between buses, trams, and trains smoother, cheaper, and more inclusive, especially for people with mobility or access needs?

11: Congestion, Parking, and Street Safety

The city experiences significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. Smart parking solutions, including digital payment systems and real-time occupancy data, have been introduced to alleviate these problems [7]. However, these technologies may not be accessible to all residents. Pavement parking poses safety risks for pedestrians, especially those with mobility impairments. New enforcement rules aim to address this issue [8].

Student challenge: How might smart parking systems help reduce congestion and make streets safer for everyone? Could we design more inclusive tools or physical infrastructure that support fair, efficient, and accessible parking in residential and city centre areas?

12: Inclusive Mobility for Disabled Residents

Approximately 20% of Sheffield residents have a disability, and many face challenges in accessing public transport and navigating the city's infrastructure [9]. While the central train station offers step-free access and staff assistance, other parts of the network are less accommodating. Community transport services such as Sheffield Community Transport offer door-to-door options [10]. Nevertheless, a more comprehensive strategy is needed to ensure equal access.

Student challenge: How can we improve mobility for disabled people in Sheffield? Could we design accessible transport features, assistive technology, or public space improvements that make everyday travel easier and safer for all?

References

1. Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Transport in Sheffield. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Sheffield

2. Sheffield City Council. (2022). Sheffield Active Travel Research Findings. Retrieved from https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/...

3. BBC News. (2024, November 1). More than 50 illegal e-bikes seized in Sheffield. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6zp8313wxo

4. South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership. (2024). Sheffield Road Casualty Dashboard 2023. Retrieved from https://sysrp.co.uk/...

5. Sheffield Green Party. (2023, January 18). Sheffield has more than twice as many children under 16 killed or seriously injured on our roads... Retrieved from https://sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/

6. Disability Sheffield. (2023, July 16). Accessibility of Smart Bus Ticket Systems. Retrieved from https://www.disabilitysheffield.org.uk/...

7. Marston Holdings. (2023). Parking Resilience for Sheffield City Council. Retrieved from https://marstonholdings.co.uk/...

8. CiTTi Magazine. (2023, February). Sheffield introduces new parking rules to improve pedestrian safety. Retrieved from https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/...

9. Sheffield City Council. (2023). Access for Disabled People. Retrieved from https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/...

10. Sheffield Mental Health Guide. (2023). Sheffield Community Transport (SCT). Retrieved from https://www.sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk/...