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Walking and cycling must be made safe in England. Here’s our plan to do just that

My mother was killed by a driver while I was campaigning for safer cycling. Now I’ve helped create a national travel strategy

A little over a decade ago my daughter Aggie asked me a question that changed the path of my working life. She asked: “Can we ride to the park?” It wasn’t her question that altered everything, it was my answer – which was: “No.”

We live in a typical northern seaside town, and the park in question was – I know because I measured it later – 549 metres away, a distance that takes a little over one minute to ride. I, an ex-Olympic cyclist, didn’t feel I could keep my daughter safe on our roads for one minute. And that felt very wrong. It wasn’t what I wanted for her, and it wasn’t the place I wanted to live. So I decided to do something about it.

It quickly became clear that advocating for cycling wasn’t hard. I could pick almost any topic in the news and more cycling made it better: health, climate, cost of transport, levelling up – the list goes on. Cycling was an easy cause to love.

It was a terrible irony then, that in 2016, while I was campaigning for safer cycling, my mother, Carol, was killed by a driver while out on a ride. The devastating experience galvanised my desire to ensure that anyone getting around on foot or by bike could be confident of doing so safely.

In 2017 a phone call from the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, gave me the opportunity to do just that and I became his cycling and walking commissioner . He and the region’s leaders had seen that active travel was the logical foundation for a sustainable, healthy transport system – as it is in towns and cities across the world. Over the course of the next four years, we planned a 1,800-mile network for the city region, not for “cyclists” but to enable people, doing everyday things in normal clothes, to do so without cars if they chose.

Mark from Stretford’s story is exactly what this is all about. As it does for millions of people, his day began by bundling his two boys into the back of the car and driving them less than a mile to the school, a stressful round trip at rush hour that could easily take half an hour even without having to find a parking space. Two round trips every day. A total of 190 hours – more than a week – of his and his sons’ lives spent in a car every year.

Then, as part of a local active neighbourhood, his council put in some planters and he realised he could now get to the kids’ school on quiet streets via a local park and avoid the morning melee. Mark now walks to school with his kids, who ride or scoot, every day. The trip takes just 10 minutes and it’s better than stress-free; it’s actually enjoyable with a bit of daily exercise thrown in for good measure.

Seeing what making safe space could do was incredible, so I was delighted when the national government produced its “Gear Change” strategy for England, setting out a clear roadmap to give everyone in the country the same choice as Mark. New national standards to make sure all cycling infrastructure is safe, an inspectorate to ensure councils adhere to the guidelines and training provision so local authorities could start doing this as a matter of course, were all part of the plan.

When the transport secretary asked me to help set up Active Travel England , the new executive agency that will be charged with delivering this vision, it was the most natural choice in the world to accept.

The body is exactly what is needed to give people the option to travel actively, to feel able to leave the car at home more often and help children get to school under their own steam. And to make sure this becomes an embedded part of our transport futures, it will act as a statutory consultee for all major developments, meaning developers will have to make high-quality provision for those who want to walk, wheel or ride.

We will give people the choice to enjoy rather than endure journeys and to kick off their day fresh and invigorated, not frustrated and irritated.

That’s the future Mark has now for himself and his two boys and it’s the one I want to help make for Aggie. I intend to make sure that when she has a family, she’ll be able to say “Yes” when they ask if they can ride to the park.

Chris Boardman is the interim commissioner of Active Travel England

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We're working together with Active Travel England

18 Mar 2024

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We support the Government’s ambition that 50% of all trips in towns and cities will be on foot or by bike by 2030. We're also committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

That's why we've signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Active Travel England to formalise stronger collaborative working between both our organisations.

Olympic legend and Active Travel England ambassador Chris Boardman MBE and our Chief Executive Nick Harris jointly signed the MOU.

This represents a mutual pledge to promote the benefits of active travel and a healthier future for all.

Chris Boardman was appointed National Active Travel Commissioner for Active Travel England in 2022. He's a former professional cyclist, participating in the Tour de France and winning a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 1992.

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The signing followed a meeting with Roads Minister Guy Opperman MP to promote closer working between the two organisations.

Chris Boardman has worked in a variety of safer walking and cycling advocacy roles including being appointed in 2017 as Transport for Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner. He works as a pundit and commentator on BBC and ITV and has a large social media presence with 195k followers on Twitter, 17k followers on Linked In, and 12.7k on Instagram. Chris said:

"It’s so important that our roads are safe and accessible to everyone, which means making sure schemes consider every journey, including for everyone walking, wheeling and cycling.

“Active Travel England is teaming up with National Highways to make sure people can enjoy safe and pleasant journeys to work, school or the shops under their own steam. In turn they will reap the health benefits, save money and make more sustainable travel choices – it’s win-win for everyone."

National Highways Chief Executive Nick Harris said:

“We are very pleased to be working more closely with Active Travel England. We have a track record of investing in active travel provision, but we want to encourage earlier consideration when developing road schemes.

“National Highways is developing ‘an approach to active travel’ which will set our role, vision and priorities for active travel during the next roads period. This MOU signing is an opportunity to publicly demonstrate our commitment to active travel.”  

How we'll work together

Through our Designated Funds programme, we've already invested £70m in active travel schemes to improve safety, enable more active journeys and improve customer experience on the road network. We're set to invest a further £22m before the end of the second road period (2020-2025).

We'll work with Active Travel England to deliver joined-up national and regional active travel. We'll be sharing designs and ensuring maximum value from active travel investment

In May 2024, we'll host our first director-level meeting with Active Travel England to oversee a programme of active travel collaboration. Themes for discussion include:

• strategic direction and priorities
• scheme development
• engagement.

One of the first things both our organisation will be doing is a pilot in the Tyne area, covering A1, A19 and A194 (M). The pilot will investigate how active travel investment across our roads network could enable more walking and cycling for local trips to access to:

Find out more

Our Active travel pages explain more about the schemes we've delivered and out partnerships

Want safe, convenient, and accessible cycling in York?

Welcome to York, ATE

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It has been announced today that the new government executive agency overseeing walking and cycling improvements, Active Travel England (ATE), is to be based here in York. 

First announced in early summer 2020, as part of the Gear Change policy, Active Travel England has been likened to an Ofsted for walking and cycling. The new department will be responsible for checking the standards of cycling and walking infrastructure being delivered by local authorities, as well as managing the national active travel budget. ATE will also be responsible for inspecting local authorities on how well they perform at active travel, and publish reports of their performance. They will also be a statutory consultee on major planning applications, making sure that large developments provide for pedestrians and cyclists.

Alongside inspecting and reporting on local authorities, Active Travel England are tasked with helping local authorities deliver walking and cycling schemes successfully, providing training for staff and good practice on design, implementation, and public consultation.

And welcome Chris Boardman MBE!

Heading up the new department of just under 100 staff will be Chris Boardman.

Making his name in the 90’s as Olympic gold medalist, world record holder, and multiple yellow jersey holder in the Tour de France, Chris Boardman is now just as well known as an advocate for everyday cycling away from the track and French countryside.

In 2017 he was made Greater Manchester’s first Cycling and Walking Commissioner, during which time he led the Bee Network proposals – a development of 1,800 miles of protected walking and cycling routes in the region. Alongside the day job his cycle advocacy work has extended through traditional media where he is invited to comment on cycling stories, and notably on Twitter where he regularly extols the virtues of cycling.

Speaking of today’s announcements Chris Boardman said; 

“The positive effects of high levels of cycling and walking are clearly visible in pockets around the country where people have been given easy and safe alternatives to driving. Perhaps most important of all, though, it makes for better places to live while helping both the NHS and our mission to decarbonise.”

“The time has come to build on those pockets of best practice and enable the whole nation to travel easily and safely around their neighbourhoods without feeling compelled to rely on cars. I’m honoured to be asked to lead on this and help deliver the ambitious vision laid out in the government’s Gear Change strategy and other local transport policies.

“This will be a legacy we will be proud to leave for our children and for future generations. It’s time to make it a reality; it’s time for a quiet revolution.”

A Great Opportunity For York

Since the first announcement in 2020 that Active Travel England would be formed, York Cycle Campaign, like other campaign groups around the country, have eagerly been awaiting further news of the body able to ensure that walking and cycling infrastructure is delivered well.

We are delighted to hear Active Travel England will be located in York. We’re greatly looking forward to inviting employees to join us for a cycle ride around York and excited about working with them to raise the ambition of York’s active travel network.

Having Chris Boardman leading the department is also hugely welcomed news as we know he has the motivation and drive to pursue the vision for cities that are inviting to walk and cycle in – who knows we may even see him popping along to a few YCC events!

If things like this matter to you then please join us. Every member of the Campaign helps raise our profile and there’s plenty of way you can get involved from raising issues with infrastructure, helping to organise events, and representing the campaign.

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Active Travel England announces £200 million to improve walking and cycling routes

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Posted: 6 February 2023 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

The £200 million investment in active travel will help grow the local economy by improving transport links, boosting high streets and creating skilled jobs across England.

Schools, high streets and main roads will benefit from improved crossings and junctions to support walking and cycling, reduce emissions and boost local economies, due to a £200 million fund announced on 6 February 2023.

Active Travel England is now inviting local authorities in England to apply for funding to make improvements to enable people to choose active travel, which can help them save money and stay healthy. Schemes could include:

• Creating more paths in rural areas
• Developing safer routes for children to walk to school
• Improved safety at junctions for people walking and cycling.

Funding will also be used to support people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters by making street designs more inclusive.

Projects will be designed in consultation with residents and businesses to ensure schemes are safe and work for local communities. The successful projects will be announced in late 2023. Guidance has been created to help local authorities develop active travel schemes that are well-designed and completed to a high standard.

Walking and cycling charity Sustrans has estimated that active travel generated £36.5 billion for the economy in 2021 through increased spending on high streets, reduced pressure on the  NHS  and better access to jobs. This investment could also generate up to 16 million additional walking and cycling trips a year.

Accelerating active travel with e-scooters and e-bikes

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “This £200 million investment for hundreds of upgraded routes and paths across the country will help to reduce emissions , boost local economies and create jobs . These new schemes will make it safer for children to walk to school and will better connect rural communities, helping more people choose active travel as an affordable and healthy way to get around.”

Previous funding rounds have seen a new cycle lane built in Coventry, which has generated 10,000 trips in its first month and a new walking and cycling route in Manchester, where people travelling on foot and by bike are separated from motor vehicles.

Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: “ Active travel is convenient, cheap, low carbon and health-giving. It’s a choice we need to make sure everyone has. Sometimes it only takes relatively small changes, such as crossings on school routes or convenient places to park a bike, to give us the option to walk, wheel or ride. Our job is to help local authorities across the country ensure that everyone has more attractive options for their daily trips and we are excited to help them deliver those options.”

The funding could see more young people choosing a healthier and greener way to travel from home to the classroom. With less than half of children aged five to 16 walking or cycling to school, this investment aims to boost uptake. The UK government’s objective is to enable 55% of all primary school children to walk to school by 2025.

In addition, studies show that one in two women feel unsafe walking after dark in a quiet street near their home. Local authorities will also need to show that their proposed schemes take women’s safety into account.

If you liked this, you may also be interested in: 

▶ Leicester awarded nearly £400,000 funding for walking and cycling schemes

▶ TfL to move ahead with plans for new Nine Elms cycle route

Related topics Active travel , Air Quality , Infrastructure & Urban Planning , Mobility Services , Sustainable Urban Transport

Related modes Bikes & Scooters , Walking

Related cities England

Related countries United Kingdom

Related organisations Active Travel England , Sustrans

Related people Chris Boardman , Mark Harper

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Active Travel

What is active travel.

Active travel means making journeys by walking or cycling. These are usually short journeys, like walking to the shops, walking the kids to school, cycling to work, or cycling to the station to catch a commuter train.

Active travel keeps you fit and health by making exercise part of your daily routine. It also saves you money and reduces your carbon footprint, improving air quality and reducing road congestion.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got lots of tips to help you get started on your active travel journey.

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Getting Started

Tom’s Quick Bike Maintenance Tips

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Back in the Saddle

Kent Cycle Training courses give people the skills and confidence to cycle more often for leisure and work.

Madhu and Ruth were nervous about their first lesson, but found themselves enjoying the experience and gaining a huge confidence boost!

Courses for electric bikes are also available in Canterbury and Deal.

Cycling’s a Breeze

Breeze Rides are fun, free social rides for women run all over the UK, organised by Breeze Champions like Janet.

The Faversham Breeze ladies enjoy regular rides rides out in the the Kent countryside, and their members have found new friends and new confidence from being part of the group.

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• Active Travel
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• The Benefits of Active Travel
• Exploring Different Types of Active Travel
• What is Active Travel in the UK?
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• What is Active Travel Funding?
• Where is Active Travel England Based?
• Types of Walkway Markings for Active Travel
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• What is the Active Travel Act in England?
• Safety Considerations for Active Travel
• Examples of Active Travel
• What is the Active Travel Directory?
• What is the Active Travel England Travel Plan?
• The Mental and Physical Benefits of Active Travel

Active travel is a government initiative focusing on getting more people to walk and cycle for short journeys instead of relying on public transport.

This is a way of improving the health and fitness of communities across the country and improving air quality by reducing congestion and carbon emissions in urban areas.

As an active travel surfacing business, we contribute to increasing active travel in your local area by making walking and cycling more accessible.

We do this by offering more walk paths and cycling routes in regions to encourage people to take the natural choice for their everyday journeys.

Our company works alongside many local authorities, including schools, businesses, and leisure facilities and across the UK.

With so many benefits coming from active travel, we want to make walking and cycling more accessible in all communities so people can become healthier and happier at home.

By increasing levels of accessible paths and cycle routes, we can contribute to healthier communities in towns across the nation and are available for a range of services.

If you are interested in the work we do, do not hesitate to get in touch with us today to learn more.

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Why Use Us?

We are an accredited active travel surface installer business that has completed all the necessary training to work in communities across the country.

Our team has a range of certifications, including CHAS and ConstructionLine verification ensuring the highest standard of work every time.

We have been working in this field for over ten years and, in recent years, have joined the Active Travel initiative to improve towns across the UK.

With this many years of experience, our team understands how active travel can improve any local area, which informs our work.

We can work in any environment, from towns to cities and beyond, to support the needs of the local people in terms of active travel solutions.

Our company remains competitive on pricing for our services, allowing us to deliver Active Travel to all regions.

We have a great relationship with suppliers in this industry and work with local manufacturing to provide an affordable service across the country.

Active Travel demonstrates the importance of a healthy lifestyle for all, which is why we strive to make walking and cycling accessible everywhere.

With our competitive prices, expert installer team, and local connections, we can improve towns and cities in all regions.

What is Active Travel?

Active Travel is an initiative that focuses on reducing congestion, carbon emission, and health issues and all regions across the UK and on increasing active travel, such as walking and cycling.

With walkways and cycling routes, we aim to encourage people to ditch public transport and their cars for healthier movement during their everyday journeys.

When it is easier to travel around your local area by foot or bike, we can reduce the number of car journeys and the demand for public transport.

Not only does active travel improve your health, but it can also drastically reduce carbon emissions in any area. You can improve your health and the environment by opting for walking and cycling instead of going by car.

As a surfacing company, we are working as part of the Active Travel plan to make walking and cycling more accessible in all regions. We create walkways, cycling routes, and path infrastructure for wheelchair users to encourage people to get outdoors.

It is easier to walk or cycle when there are spaces in your community for this, which is where we come in.

We aim to deliver great service to all our clients and want to make it easier for people to get to school, the shops or simply around the town without using public transport or their car.

As well as making walking and cycling easier for everyone, the Active Travel initiative educates people in business, children in schools, and other community members regarding the importance of active travel for both health and the environment.

We are committed to making a healthy and safe place for everyone, so we offer Active Travel, walking and cycling infrastructure installation nationwide.

What are Examples of Active Travel?

Active travel refers to modes of transportation that involve physical activity, typically walking and cycling, as the primary means of getting from one place to another. Here are some examples of active travel:

Walking: Walking is one of the most common forms of active travel. It includes walking for various purposes, such as commuting to work, going to school, running errands, or simply taking a leisurely stroll.

Cycling: Cycling involves riding bicycles for transportation. People use bicycles for commuting, recreational rides, and even for errands. Bicycle-sharing programs have made cycling more accessible in many urban areas.

Jogging and Running: While primarily seen as a form of exercise, jogging and running can also be modes of active travel, particularly for shorter trips or when individuals choose to run instead of walk for transportation.

Skating: Inline skating, rollerblading, and skateboarding are alternative forms of active travel for those who are comfortable with these activities. They are often used for shorter trips within neighbourhoods or on designated paths.

Scooter Riding: Electric scooters and kick scooters have gained popularity as a mode of active travel in many urban areas. Users can rent scooters to travel short distances.

Public Transportation Combined with Walking/Cycling: Active travel doesn't necessarily mean exclusively walking or cycling. Many people use public transportation (buses, trains, subways) and combine it with walking or cycling for the first and last legs of their journeys.

Benefits of Active Travel

Opting to walk or cycle around your area instead of using public transport can offer many benefits , including the following:

Reduced congestion, even in high-traffic areas

Reduced air pollution

Higher-quality public areas, which are made for walking and cycling

Better physical, mental and social health in all towns

Reduced carbon emissions which can help reach carbon-zero goals nationally

Increased economic growth in all regions

Better communities with reduced inequality, as active travel is wheelchair user-friendly and suitable for everyone.

People can benefit greatly from getting active by walking and cycling more frequently. By reducing our reliance on the car and public transport for journeys, we can also contribute to a safer environment.

Our company contributes to Active Travel by creating bike paths and safe walking routes in all regions, making it easier for people to opt for these methods of transport for all their journeys.

The cycling or walking infrastructure we create will support active travel in these areas for many years, benefiting local adults and children and the environment as a whole.

Surfacing for Active Travel

We can offer various surfacing on any active travel scheme to make cycling and walking easier.

Our infrastructure installation supports active travel methods like cycling, and we can provide various surfacing solutions to suit all needs. These are some of the surfacing solutions we use for active travel:

Wetpour is a great option for cycling and walking as it is a common safety surface. Wet pour can be used on all kinds of infrastructure to create a durable path that can support walking and bike rides for people of all ages.

Rubber mulch is a biodegradable infrastructure that is commonly found in parks, children's play areas, and similar spaces. This is ideal for walking spaces and can improve the environment using natural resources.

Rhino Pave surfacing is used for walking and cycling journeys, this is another common safety surface commonly found in infrastructure like schools or playgrounds. This is made using rubber granules for additional bounce and durability.

Resin bound gravel is a decorative stone surfacing which is commonly installed on pathways and cycle routes.

Resin bound gravel is made using resin particles, this surfacing is versatile and supports walking and cycling.

Commonly found in sports facilities, artificial grass creates a natural appearance without the demand for resources. This can be installed in multiple locations for cycle paths and walking routes.

High Durability Paint

We use high-quality paint to mark these zones to indicate where a cycling or walking path is.

We can offer a range of colours to improve the appearance of local areas and ensure that these areas are signposted clearly.

Thermoplastic markings can also be used to indicate a cycling or walking route, as well as to make fun games for children.

Several funding options are in place to support Active Travel solutions in places of business. Contact us to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the active travel scheme in the uk.

The active travel scheme in the UK typically refers to initiatives and programs aimed at promoting and encouraging sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking and cycling.

These schemes are part of the UK government's efforts to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and promote healthier lifestyles.

Some of the key components of the active travel scheme in the UK include:

Cycling Infrastructure: The government invests in the development of cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes, bike-sharing programs, and secure bike storage facilities.

Walking Initiatives: Efforts are made to create pedestrian-friendly environments with improved sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and safer walking routes.

Funding for Local Authorities: The government provides funding to local authorities for active travel projects, allowing them to implement measures that encourage walking and cycling.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns promote the benefits of active travel and encourage people to choose walking and cycling for short journeys.

School Travel: Programs are designed to encourage schoolchildren to walk or cycle to school, reducing car journeys and promoting healthy habits.

Legislation and Policies: The UK government has introduced policies and legislation to support active travel, such as the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) and the Highway Code updates to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Low Traffic Neighborhoods: The creation of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) aims to reduce through traffic on residential streets, making them safer and more pleasant for walking and cycling.

Funding for Active Travel Infrastructure: Investment is made in building infrastructure that encourages active travel, such as cycleways, footpaths, and greenways.

Local authorities often play a significant role in implementing active travel projects tailored to the needs and priorities of their communities.

For the most up-to-date information on active travel schemes in the UK, you can refer to the official websites of the UK government, the Department for Transport (DfT), and local authorities in specific regions or cities.

What is an Active Travel Path?

An active travel path, also known as an active travel route or active transportation path, is a designated pathway or route designed to facilitate and encourage non-motorized forms of transportation, primarily walking and cycling.

These paths are intended to promote physical activity, reduce dependence on motorized vehicles, improve public health, and create sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options.

Get In Touch

Active travel is a great opportunity for people to go on walks or cycle around their local areas.

If you are a business or local authority interested in making this happen, do not hesitate to contact us today to see how we can help.

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Scarlett McNally: Enabling active travel can improve the UK’s health

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There is an urgent need to improve the nation’s health, which worsened over the pandemic. There is an abundance of evidence and reports, including by me, claiming that exercise is a miracle cure that improves physical and mental health and reduces demands on NHS services and the need for social care. 1 2 3 4

The best forms of exercise are those that fit into everyday life. Active travel is a “best buy” for improving health. Commuting by cycling reduces incidence of, and mortality from, heart disease and cancer by over 30% in a dose dependent manner 5 and reduces sick days and depression. 6 People don’t swap from their car to active travel because cars are normalised and our infrastructure is built around them. This means that 71% of women (and 61% of men) say it is too dangerous to cycle on roads. 7 Where there are segregated safe cycle routes, people use them, as has been demonstrated in Paris. 8

Pavements need to be repaired 9 and pedestrian junctions improved for the safety and accessibility of people walking or wheeling, including those with disabilities, children, and older people. 9 10 Mobility equity 11 won’t be achieved with so little money being spent on active travel.

In the UK, massive central funds are spent on major roads. Conversely, funds for infrastructure to support active travel are stuck in local council budgets, which are facing a £4bn spending gap. 12 In East Sussex, £2m of allocated funds has allegedly been spent on design and consultation, with minimal resulting infrastructure. 13

I have four suggestions to support active travel cheaply. Firstly, we should demand that the 2022 changes to the Highway Code are learnt by every driver: you must give priority to pedestrians at junctions, you must give 1.5 m clearance when overtaking a cyclist and not overtake on a bend or into oncoming traffic, and cyclists are encouraged to “take the lane” for their safety. 14 I give talks where I lie down on the stage to show what 1.5 m looks like, urging drivers to wait behind a fellow citizen cycling or wheeling until the next traffic jam or safe passing spot. 15 Surely, a bigger media campaign, a mandate requiring this education before insuring or using a vehicle for work, and carrying out enforcement would be more effective than my one person talk. 15

Secondly, we should demand 20 mph limits in all areas where people are. People are rightly scared to walk, cycle, or wheel where traffic is faster—the horrific injuries I see in orthopaedic and fracture clinics get exponentially worse with every 1 mph increase in speed. In Oxfordshire, most parish councils have requested 20 mph limits. 16 17 This will require minimal cost—a few signs, a change of culture, and enforcement rather than expensive traffic calming measures. 18

Thirdly, the NHS workforce should be role models. The BMA and the Health Foundation suggest the NHS should be an “anchor institution.” 19 20 The NHS is responsible for 5% of the UK’s total transport emissions—and 1.3 million staff commuting makes up the bulk of that. 19 21 A modal shift from driving to active travel needs focus, practical support, and some funding. We need pavements in all NHS sites, secure cycle parking, and lockers for wet gear. A few freebies might help, such as waterproof overtrousers for new staff and subsidised bus passes for NHS staff. Salisbury Hospital has five electric cycles that staff can try out free for two weeks, which has encouraged them to buy their own. This hugely successful scheme cost only around £15 000 and should be rolled out everywhere. 22 People using an electric cycle get just as fit as those using a standard bike, because they ride further and convert more journeys from car driving. 23

Fourthly, we need to link with other initiatives. Every NHS organisation is required to deliver a “green plan.” 20 Active travel reduces pollution, which causes catastrophic ill health and harms the planet. 24 Children getting to school under their own steam has huge benefits. Many families cannot afford a second car or live in transport poverty. People being able to get about safely reduces loneliness.

Let’s challenge the UK’s car dependency and enable active travel for everyone’s health.

Scarlett McNally is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, deputy director of the Centre for Perioperative Care, and president of the Medical Women’s Federation.

Provenance and peer review: Commissioned, not externally peer reviewed.

• ↵ Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Exercise the miracle cure and the role of the doctor in promoting it. 2015. www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Exercise_the_Miracle_Cure_0215.pdf
• ↵ Chief Medical Officer. Chief medical officer’s annual report 2023: health in an ageing society. 2023. www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2023-health-in-an-ageing-society
• McNally S ,
• Maruthappu M ,
• Celis-Morales CA ,
• Sanders T ,
• Gallardo-Gómez D ,
• ↵ Department for Transport. Walking and cycling statistics England 2019. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/906698/walking-and-cycling-statistics-england-2019.pdf
• ↵ Bennett P. Paris plans to be 100% cyclable by 2026. World Economic Forum. 2021. www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/10/paris-plans-completely-cyclable-by-2026
• ↵ Living Streets. Pedestrian slips, trips, and falls. 2023. www.livingstreets.org.uk/policy-reports-and-research/slips-trips-and-falls
• ↵ Wheels for Wellbeing. Guide to inclusive cycling. 2020. https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FC_WfW-Inclusive-Guide_FINAL_V03.pdf
• ↵ Wheels for Wellbeing. Wheeling into the agenda. 2021. https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wheeling-into-the-agenda
• ↵ Local Government Association. Provisional local government finance settlement 2024-25: On-the-day briefing. 2024. www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-202425-day
• ↵ Humphreys P. Benefits for cyclists stalled. 2024. https://bespokecyclegroup.org.uk/2024/02/25/benefits-for-cyclists-stalled
• ↵ Department for Transport. The highway code: 8 changes you need to know. 2022. www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022
• ↵ McNally S. Scarlett transport summit. YouTube 2023. www.youtube.com/watch?v=aurBHjVS8aU&t=656s
• ↵ Oxfordshire County Council. 20mph transformation programme. 2022. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/traffic/20mph-scheme/20mph-transformation-programme
• ↵ Oxfordshire County Council. 20mph limit project progress. 2024. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/traffic/20mph-scheme/20-limit-project-progress
• ↵ Department for Transport. Setting local speed limits. 2013. www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits
• ↵ BMA. Physical activity. Get a move on. 2019. www.bma.org.uk/media/2104/bma-physical-activity-briefing-get-move-on-oct-19-v2.pdf
• ↵ Health Foundation. Building healthier communities: the role of the NHS as an anchor institution. 2019. www.health.org.uk/publications/reports/building-healthier-communities-role-of-nhs-as-anchor-institution
• ↵ NHS England. Net zero travel and transport strategy. 2023. www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/net-zero-travel-and-transport-strategy
• ↵ Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. Sustainable travel plan 2023 to 2025. 2023. www.salisbury.nhs.uk/media/engnqn0y/sft-sustainable-travel-plan-2023-to-2025.pdf
• Gaupp-Berghausen M ,
• ↵ Chief Medical Officer. Chief medical officer’s annual report 2022: air pollution. www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2022-air-pollution

Zoom in, 5pm Tuesdays!

Tues 21-may: clean cities campaign.

Sarah Rowe (@cities_clean) will update us on the latest from the Clean Cities Campaign. Plus Our regular Ranty Highwayman slot (@RantyHighwayman) on The Good, The Bad and The Interesting .

Tues 28-May: < Half term - no session! >

Tues 04-jun: < watch this space >, join us for the latest active travel and sustainable transport news. .

Great speakers every week + news round-up + lively discussion - come and share what's happening near you in a friendly, supportive space for people who share the mission for more walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport!

• Join us on Zoom every Tuesday, 5:00-6:15 pm - drop in when you can or join for all of it.
• Sign up for free  for the Zoom link and email updates at the bottom of this page.
• by subject tag (scroll down below)
• or by Search
• or via our YouTube channel  
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• Suggest speakers or topics!   Via the 'contact us' form or email activetravelcafe[at]gmail.com

It's all free, run by volunteers, non-profit, but we need to cover our email, Zoom and web hosting costs, so small donations always appreciated!

Most Recent Session

14 may 2024.

Matthew Snedker (@MatthewSnedker), a 14 year Green Party Councillor, tells us how he persuaded Darlington Council to do  the right thing on Active Travel, and shows us how we can do it too.

• Local authorities
• Political will
• Active travel

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2025 dates now live, about active england, the uk's no.1 adventure travel company.

At Active England Tours, we try to be more than your average travel company. We’ll lead you to the most iconic locations in England, Scotland or Wales. Join one of our small group adventures, travel with friends, treat your family or journey on your own with our range of beautifully curated guided and self-guided trip. We’ll take you on your best week of the year!

Our guides are the heartbeat of our tours. An eclectic bunch from all walks of life, we choose our guides for their local wisdom, their fun and engaging manner and homegrown authentic relationships. More than that, however, we choose people who care deeply about your trip.

Expert Guides, Incredible Destinations

Leaving the tourist trails behind, our routes follow the most picturesque trails and the roads less travelled. Be that cycling into the Roman city of Bath, walking in the stunning Lake District, strolling the wild Atlantic cliffs in Cornwall or e-biking between picturesque Cotswold villages. Each night, we stay in wonderfully appointed hotels and pubs, enjoying seaside views or beautiful Cotswold vistas, all while travelling in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way.

We’re always right beside you and for us, ‘active’ isn’t just about pedalling, panting and perspiring. It’s about being attentive, to you and to the vibe of the group. It’s about knowing when you’d like to sit and enjoy the view or need an afternoon pint in the locals’ favourite pub just as much as it’s about helping see how far and fast you can push yourself on the trails or the roads.

Wherever it is your adventure’s calling you, we’ll take you there.

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• Driving and road transport
• Cycling and walking

Active Travel England: planning application assessment toolkit

Allows local planning authorities to gather evidence and assess the active travel merits for a development proposal.

Applies to England

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Active Travel England planning application assessment toolkit: checklist user manual

PDF , 555 KB , 29 pages

The planning application assessment toolkit helps to gather evidence and assess the active travel merits – walking, wheeling and cycling – of a development proposal. It should be used by local authority planning and transport officers in conjunction with the applicant.

When making a planning application assessment, you should also refer to:

• Active Travel England: development management
• Active Travel England: sustainable development advice notes

A user manual and a tutorial video have been produced to help you understand how to complete the assessment.

Active Travel England planning toolkit tutorial video

The planning application assessment toolkit has been updated.

First published.

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Putting joy into journeys

•  ›  separator
• Active Travel England

Active Travel England – We are delivering on the government’s commitment to boost walking, wheeling and cycling across the country to give everyone a healthy, safe and carbon-neutral choice to get around. 

What we do at Active Travel England  

As the Department for Transport’s newest executive agency, Active Travel England has been set up following the government’s unprecedented commitment of £2 billion for walking, wheeling and cycling, and comes in the wake of the ambitious Gear Change strategy to transform active travel. 

As well as approving and inspecting schemes to enable active travel, Active Travel England will support local authorities, train staff, and spread good practice in design, implementation and public engagement.  

It will be a statutory consultee on major planning applications to ensure that the largest new developments properly cater for pedestrians, cyclists, and people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters. 

Why we’re excited at Active Travel England  

We might be one of the youngest executive agencies in the government sector, but we are thinking big and aiming high. We want no less than to create a new golden age for walking, wheeling and cycling in which everyone has a genuine choice to travel actively and make their neighbourhood a better place. By 2030, we want half of all journeys in towns and cities to be undertaken by active travel, as set out in the ‘Gear Change’ vision. 

Opportunities to join Active Travel England  

To deliver on this ambition and make a real difference, we are building a diverse and talented team. There are many exciting opportunities to join our growing organisation, where we want everyone to feel proud of our inclusive working environment, and you’ll be working closely with an experienced leadership team who are passionate about what they do and always eager to learn more. 

We’re hiring now, so why not look at the opportunities available?  

A welcoming and diverse place to work  

At Active Travel England we are putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of our decision making, in our people and in the people whose lives we can affect.  

‘Gear Change’ outlines the step-change we want and need in walking and cycling in the coming years. The challenge is huge, but the ambition is clear. We have a unique opportunity to transform the role walking and cycling can play in our transport system and get England moving differently. And it’s not just about walking and cycling. We’re adding “wheeling” to active travel to be clear that we are inclusive of those who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other walking aids too. 

Our ability to enable people to walk, wheel and cycle requires routes and infrastructure that are accessible to all regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or disability and do not create hazards for vulnerable pedestrians, as well as policies and initiatives that engage people from different communities. 

Our success in getting this right relies on us employing people with first-hand experience of the barriers faced by diverse groups within our communities. We see your background as a positive benefit and provide you the opportunity to bring that experience into your work. If our mission is as important to you as it is to us, we’d love to hear from you. 

Where we’re based 

Active Travel England will be headquartered in York with a small number of regionally based roles. 

Watch CBS News

"Extreme" G5 geomagnetic storm reaches Earth, NOAA says, following "unusual" solar event

By Li Cohen

Updated on: May 11, 2024 / 8:32 PM EDT / CBS News

An "extreme" G5 geomagnetic storm reached Earth on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said , after issuing a watch earlier in the day warning of the potential for a severe impact. 

The watch followed days of solar activity that sent several explosions of plasma and magnetic fields toward Earth. 

G5 is the strongest level of geomagnetic storm , on a scale from G1 to G5. 

"Widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur," NOAA warns. "Some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage." 

Radio transmissions and satellite navigation may also be disrupted.

The last G5 geomagnetic storm, in October 2003, caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.

A geomagnetic storm also means aurora borealis , otherwise known as the northern lights , could be seen as far south as Alabama and in Northern California. 

Earlier, NOAA had issued its first watch for a potential G4-level geomagnetic storm in almost 20 years. "If geomagnetic storms were hurricanes, 'severe' would be category 4," SpaceWeather.com says. 

In a press release on Thursday, NOAA said the most recent series of solar events started on May 8, when a large cluster of sunspots produced "several moderate to strong solar flares." Solar flares are bursts of radiation known to be the solar system's largest explosive events, according to NASA. The area where the flares are occurring is 16 times the diameter of Earth, the NOAA said, and more solar activity is expected. 

That sunspot is so big you may be able to see it with your own eyes  — with your solar eclipse glasses. The spot is known as AR3664 , and it was responsible for most of the geomagnetic activity Friday, the NOAA reported. According to Space.com, it measures about 124,000 miles across and is one of the "largest and most active sunspots seen this solar cycle." 

The NOAA reported that a strong solar flare was observed peaking from AR3664 at 9:23 p.m. Eastern Time Friday. 

"Flares of this magnitude are not frequent," the prediction center said . 

Still have your solar eclipse glasses? There's currently a sunspot so large you will be able to "spot" it while wearing them 15x wider than the earth! pic.twitter.com/XpQJEd4Qk0 — Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) May 9, 2024

There has also been a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are explosions of plasma  and magnetic fields that come out of the sun's corona, the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere. At least five CMEs appear directed toward Earth and could arrive as early as midday on Friday and persist through Sunday, the agency said. 

"This is an unusual event," NOAA said.

In a call with reporters on Friday, Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center, said that some CMEs "are catching up with other ones." He said officials are expecting a "big shock arrival" when they hit Earth. Dahl said at the time that while officials weren't predicting a G5 storm — the strongest of geomagnetic storms — they couldn't discount a "low-end G5 event."

"We're really buckling down here," Brent Gordon, chief of the space weather services branch, also said on the call.

G4 conditions were detected by Friday afternoon, marking a "major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field," NOAA said, adding that "the public should stay properly informed of storm progression."  

In a forecast discussion at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said that solar activity is expected to continue at "high to very high levels" through the weekend, with additional solar flares expected, including X-class flares , the most powerful class of solar flares.

As of Friday afternoon, NOAA said it had observed a moderate solar radiation storm that could expose people in high-flying aircraft to "elevated radiation risk" and cause infrequent issues with satellite operations. 

Radio blackouts have also been detected with an R3 designation, meaning that the blackouts were "strong" on a scale from R1 (minor) to R5 (extreme). At this level, wide blackouts of HF radio communication is expected, as well as loss of radio contact, for about an hour on the sunlit side of Earth, as low-frequency navigation signals decline for roughly an hour. 

"Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth's surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations," NOAA said. "[The Space Weather Prediction Center] has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action."

Dahl agreed Friday that the event is "pretty extraordinary" and said that it could impact infrastructure, including high-voltage transmission lines of the power grid. Dahl said that infrastructure operators have been notified to adequately prepare. 

This is the first time a storm watch has been issued for a G4 since January 2005. There is an average of 100 severe geomagnetic storms every solar cycle, but so far, there have only been three observed in the most recent cycle that began in December 2019. The most recent occurred on March 23. 

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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