WHAT IS ACTIVE TRAVEL?

Active travel is defined as ‘walking, cycling, scooting or using a mobility scooter rather than motorised transport for the purpose of making everyday journeys’. This includes trips to and from work, school, shopping and other destinations. It can also include leisure activities such as walking, cycling and visiting friends. Read more https://active-travel.uk/

Our research showed that, in general, market town residents do not feel that current infrastructure supports active travel. The lack of safe, well-connected off-road cycle routes was a key barrier. Respondents wanted more and better-connected paths with a clear signposting system to promote accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians. They were also keen to see more signs and road markings indicating 20mph zones and lower traffic speeds in town centres.

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Commuters and older adults were equally interested in measures to encourage walking and cycling. They cited health factors as the main reason for increasing their activity levels. These ranged from a desire to maintain good health in later life, through to avoiding immobility following a diagnosis of ill-health or loss of eyesight.

Changing the way we get around is crucial if we are to achieve significant positive health outcomes, particularly for those living in less accessible places. This means that we need to shift from car-dominated societies to ones in which walking and cycling are the preferred choice for many journeys. The government’s latest cycling and walking investment strategy, Gear Change, sets out an ambition of making these the natural first choice for half of all journeys in towns and cities by 2030.