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The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 created the legal basis for rights of way improvement plans (ROWIPs). A systematic approach to the development of these plans has been developed through work on a pilot in Cheshire. A topic reviewed more closely was the way in which a ROWIP might encourage use of sustainable modes of transport. The pilot project comprised extensive user surveys, the results of which were then reviewed in the light of a walkover survey. Generic classes of improvement have been identified which could assist other highways authorities in ROWIP production. In this paper the genesis of the systematic approach is discussed and comments made on its validity and applicability, particularly differentiating between deeply rural and semi-urban areas. Survey and assessment techniques and the appropriate level of detail for user surveys are discussed together with the evaluation of benefits that might arise for different classes of user and journey purposes.