London Council Candidates pledge safer streets for cycling and walking

25 April 2018

Council leadership candidates are signing up to a safer streets pledge from walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, ahead Thursday’s London local elections.

As Londoners get ready to vote for their councillors on Thursday 3rd May, would-be council leaders are signing up to Sustrans ‘Streets for People’ pledge to demonstrate how they intend to improve streets in their borough.

“ We’re delighted that so many prospective council Leaders and Mayors were able to personally endorse the Streets for People pledge. ”

- Matt Winfield, Sustrans’ London Director

A broad range of candidates from central London to the outer boroughs are backing the pledge, which features commitments to create protected cycle routes, reduce through-traffic in residential neighbourhoods and improve pavements, pedestrian crossings and places to sit and find shelter for people out walking or cycling in the boroughs.

Over the course of the election campaign hundreds of Londoners have taken part and emailed their local candidates asking them to sign up to the Streets for People pledge.

Sustrans has so far received pledges from 20 prospective leaders and Mayors, representing four political parties and covering 17 London boroughs.

Matt Winfield, London Director for Sustrans, said,

“The hundreds of emails Londoners have sent to their council candidates shows just how seriously we all care about cleaning up air pollution from traffic and making our journeys on foot or cycle safer by creating streets for people.

“Nearly two-thirds of the journeys Londoners make every day are by foot, cycle or public transport, yet our streets are still dominated by motor-traffic.

“With London’s borough councils controlling 95% of the capital’s streets, we’re delighted that so many prospective council Leaders and Mayors were able to personally endorse the Streets for People pledge.

“The four commitments that make up the Streets for People pledge represent tried and tested things boroughs can deliver with the money they get from Transport for London. They’re based on real life examples from across the city, with real benefits for residents.

“After the elections it’ll be up to the councils to work with local communities to deliver on these pledges over the next four years. We look forward to doing our bit to help make it happen and giving more Londoners the healthy, quick and clean options for everyday travel.”

The Streets for People Pledge asks council leaders to use their term to:

Create three neighbourhoods free of through-traffic Create at least two schemes that connect the places people need to go to with protected space for cycling on busy roads Ensure redesigned streets are easy and safe for people on foot to cross and are truly accessible to all Create places people want to be, by enhancing and increasing public and pavement space and introducing seating, shade and shelter

Full list of candidates pledging

Last updated 25/04/2018

The full list of borough candidates supporting the pledge to date. We will continue to update until end of Wednesday 2 May.

Camden

Sian Berry, Green Party

Ealing

Julian Bell, Labour

Greenwich

Greenwich Green Party

Hackney (Mayor)

Philip Glanville, Labour

Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Green Party

Pauline Pearce, Liberal Democrats

Hammersmith and Fulham

Stephen Cowan, Labour

Haringey

Gail Enghart, Liberal Democrats

Islington

Richard Watts, Labour

Lambeth

Lambeth Green Party

Lib Peck, Labour

Lewisham (Mayor)

John Coughlin, Green Party

Merton

Oonagh Moulton, Conservatives

Redbridge

Andrew Johns, Waltham Forest & Redbridge Green Party

Southwark

Anood Al-Samerai, Liberal Democrats

Sutton

Tim Crowley, Conservatives

Tower Hamlets (Mayor)

John Biggs, Labour

Waltham Forest

Andrew Johns, Waltham Forest & Redbridge Green Party

City of Westminster

Adam Hug, Labour

What have others said?

Sustrans wrote to all current council leaders and opposition or group leaders in all 32 boroughs on the 22 March. Of those that have not committed to the pledge outright or at all, we received the following responses:

Redbridge

 Cllr Paul Canal, Conservatives, expressed support for pledges 2, 3 and 4, but reserved support for 1 pending case by case further assessment

Richmond

Richmond Liberal Democrats: expressed support for points 3 and 4, regarding point 2 they stated: “We would look out for opportunities to do this but it would require more work to establish how many situations meeting these criteria exist in the borough or can be achieved”. Regarding point 1 they stated: “It would therefore be disingenuous of us to commit to a specific number of such schemes here and now though we are in no doubt as to its general desirability.”

Wandsworth

Response from Cllr Ravi Govindia, Conservatives (PDF)

Don’t see your local candidates below, quickly email them here Standing for your borough Council? find out more here

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Over two fifths of UK children worried about air pollution near their school

23 April 2018

Over two fifths (43%) of children living in urban areas are concerned about the levels of air pollution near their school, new figures reveal.

A YouGov poll, carried out for Sustrans, surveyed over 1,000 children aged 6 to 15 years old about their attitudes towards air pollution and the actions they think should be taken to help clean up the air.

More than one in three (38%) of those surveyed think that encouraging more people to cycle, scoot or walk to school is the best way to help to reduce levels of air pollution, while a further 16% feel that reducing the number of journeys taken by car would play the greatest role.

The survey also revealed:

The number of children concerned about air pollution rose to over half (53%) in London. More than one in three (34%) think that politicians are most responsible for bringing down levels of air pollution, while over a quarter (29%) believed drivers are most accountable. 34% said having a shorter distance to travel would most encourage them to walk, cycle or scoot to school, followed by fewer cars on the road (12%) and separated from traffic cycling routes (11%). More than half (57%) of the children surveyed said they were told about air pollution by their school.

Air pollution is one of the leading environmental public health crises in the UK today[i]. Children are among the most vulnerable and more than 2,000 schools and nurseries are near to roads with damaging levels of motor emissions[ii].

Sustrans is calling on the UK Government and local authorities to invest in cycling and walking infrastructure and further training and engagement programmes which will enable more young people to travel actively to school every day.

Xavier Brice, Sustrans’ CEO, said: “We’re in the midst of an air quality crisis. This survey demonstrates for the first time that children are aware and concerned about poor air quality. We wanted to hear their views on the matter, as they are some of the most susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution, which can lead to poor lung and brain development and asthma if exposed for long periods of time at a young age.

“More needs to be done to improve air quality near schools and help protect future generations. One of the best ways to do this, is by reducing the number of journeys taken by car each day in favour of walking, cycling or scooting the school run.

“The UK Government needs to show leadership by helping local authorities fund and deliver better cycling and walking infrastructure so that every child is able to travel on foot or by bike to school in safety and with confidence. Failure to act now on high levels of air pollution has the potential to have a detrimental impact on children’s health.”

The survey has been released to launch the Big Pedal 2018 (23 April – 4 May), the UK’s largest schools competition to encourage more young people to cycle, walk and scoot to school. Held annually by Sustrans, this year’s event will see more than half a million children and young people get on their bikes and scooters for their journeys to and from school. 

World record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont, who has today launched the Big Pedal in Torkington Primary School in Greater Manchester, said: “We need to encourage more children and parents to walk, scoot or cycle to school by shouting about the benefits of travelling actively for shorter journeys. Fewer cars around school gates will play a significant role in reducing congestion and improving the quality of the air we breathe. Events like the Big Pedal can demonstrate to children, parents and teachers just how easy it can be to travel actively to and from school.”

Alison Cook, Director of Policy at the British Lung Foundation, adds: “Air pollution is a danger to everyone’s health and children are among those most vulnerable as their lungs are still developing. Childhood is a time for learning and playing, not worrying. It’s sad to see that so many children are concerned about the air they breathe. To help cut emissions, the Government must provide incentives for walking, cycling and using public transport as part of a comprehensive Clean Air Act.”

For further information, images and interviews, and the full version of the YouGov survey, please contact:

Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk, 07557 915648
Liv Denne, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, liv.denne@sustrans.org.uk, 07768 035318.

About the survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1185 children. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23rd - 27th March 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK Children (aged 6-15+).
Prior to being asked if they were concerned about air pollution near their school, all respondents were provided with a short description outlining what air pollution is: “Air pollution occurs when gases, dusts, particles and fumes are added into the atmosphere in way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plants. Air pollution levels can vary a lot in different areas.”

Further findings from the YouGov survey:

68% of children live two miles or less from their school. The number of children cycling to school remains low in the UK. Currently the main way of travel is 3% cycle, 1% scoot and 47% walk. Almost a third (32%) of children are driven to school, with or without a period of walking, cycling, scooting, and a further 14% take the bus.

Recent research from BMJ Sports Medicine highlights that banning traffic on school routes will encourage even more children to walk or cycle and calls for investment in cycling and walking.
Further details about the research can be found here: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2018/03/09/bjsports-2017-098933

Sources

[i] Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer 2017: Health impacts of all pollution – what do we know?, 2018

[ii] Joint investigation by Guardian and Greenpeace reveals, 2017

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New Cycle-friendly Accreditation Scheme for Employers

20 April 2018
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Northern Ireland is piloting a new cycle-friendly accreditation scheme for employers which was launched this week in Belfast.

A number of major employers in Belfast have already signed up to the European Cycle-Friendly Employer Accreditation Scheme which is aimed at encouraging staff to commute to work by bike.

The scheme was developed to provide a European standard for cycle-friendly companies and is run by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) across Europe. It will be delivered in the UK by Cycling UK and supported by Sustrans.

Cycling is good for business and the economy

Encouraging staff to cycle to work and for business journeys helps improve staff health and can boost productivity. When employees are encourage to cycle rather than drive and suitable facilities are provided like dedicated cycle routes and joined-up networks, congestion can be less severe at peak times, which is good for business and the economy.

On average, employees who cycle-commute take at least one day p.a. less off sick than colleagues who do not cycle to work. The benefits can also be found for people’s mental wellbeing, as studies have shown car commuters are at least 13% more likely to feel constantly under strain or unable to concentrate than those who cycle/walk to work.

“ Employers who sign up to the scheme can not only help to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees, but this can also have a positive impact on their businesses by potentially reducing the number of working days lost due to illness and having a happier, productive workforce. ”

- Mary Black, Public Health Agency

Sustrans organised the launch event, funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), at the famous Drawing Offices in the Titanic Hotel, Belfast on Thursday night where a range of speakers from the local business sector and other European countries endorsed the new scheme.

Gordon Clarke, Sustrans Northern Ireland Director said: “We know from the Belfast Bike Life report that people who cycle take nearly 7,000 cars off the roads daily and that 54% of Belfast residents would like to start cycling or cycle more. Employers can help make this happen by providing better facilities for cyclists. We hope this scheme will attract a wide range of employers in both the public and private sectors.”

Cycling UK Chief Executive, Paul Tuohy said: “Businesses where people cycle are some of the most productive and happy places to work. A third of Northern Ireland residents have access to a bike yet only two percent commute by bike so there’s lots more that Cycling UK and individual businesses can do to get people cycling. 

“Cycling UK’s Cycle Friendly Employer scheme is an easy way that not only recognises those awe-inspiring businesses already going the extra mile to help their employees’ commute by bike be easier and stress-free, but also provides practical support and advice to help staff be the best they can be, everyday.”

Cycling to work good for health and wellbeing

Mary Black, Assistant Director of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the Public Health Agency said: “Research has suggested that cycling to work is good for health and wellbeing. It has been estimated that cycling could cut your risk of premature death by 40% and we know that increasing physical activity reduces your risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer.[1] It also improves sleep, helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces stress and anxiety.

“Employers who sign up to the scheme can not only help to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees, but this can also have a positive impact on their businesses by potentially reducing the number of working days lost due to illness and having a happier, productive workforce.”

American insurance company Allstate, based in Belfast city centre, has a large number of employees who cycle to work, in part due to secure cycle parking, shower and changing facilities. Allstate’s Managing Director, John Healy sets a good example as he cycles to work and doesn’t have a car parking space.

To get certified, an employer will have to meet some basic measures like cycle parking and providing information to employees, plus some additional measures which they can choose. Employers are then graded Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on their commitment to making their workplace more cycle-friendly.

Sustrans is promoting the scheme as part of the €4.4m CHIPS project (Cycle Highways Innovation for Smarter People Transport and Spatial Planning) which involves Belfast working with European partner countries to tackle high levels of air pollution by encouraging cycling.

Find out more about the Cycle-friendly Employer Accreditation scheme Find out more about support for workplaces in Northern Ireland [1] Research by the University of Glasgow and published in the BMJ, has found that cycling to work is associated with a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of heart disease, compared to a non-active commute. Overall the study found that commuters who cycled were associated with a 41% lower risk of premature death. Details can be read at www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_522765_en.html

 

 

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Active Journey Programme in Wales transforming the school run

16 April 2018

The school run is accountable for nearly a quarter (24%) of traffic at peak times and contributes significantly to the financial drain that congestion places on businesses and the economy.

School run traffic contributes to almost a quarter of congestion, with parents choosing to drive their children to school, even when healthier options may be available to them. Sustrans Cymru, is now recruiting schools for its successful active travel programme which gives young people the opportunity to integrate physical activity into their everyday lives; as part of the school run. The Active Journeys programme, which is now open for applications, supports schools and local authorities to improve routes and organise a range of activities that develop a whole-school approach to active travel. The deadline for schools to join the programme is Monday 4 June 2018.

Fewer children being driven to school will create a better and safer environment for children and will help reduce gridlock for those driving in congestion hot spots. Recent reports state that childhood obesity is a major health issue in Wales, the worst in the UK, and a lack of physical activity is one of the main contributory factors. Against a backdrop of lifestyles that are increasingly sedentary, we need to give children as many opportunities as possible to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle. The school run is the perfect time for this, not only is it a healthier way to travel, studies demonstrate that it leads to increased alertness and better concentration levels, resulting in improved academic performance.

Schools that have previously taken part in the programme have witnessed up to a 14% reduction in the number of children being driven to school. 

Active Journeys was recently extended by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, who said:

The programme has “proven to be exceptionally successful in the schools that it’s operated in, with 88% of respondents said that the number of pupils cycling to school had increased as a consequence of this programme.”

Hamish Belding, Schools Officer for South Wales, said:

“The programme works with schools across Wales to create a culture that makes it easier for children to walk, scoot or cycle.  We work both with schools and local authorities to plan and improve routes alongside hosting a range of activities which help to build the confidence, enthusiasm and teach the skills needed to help form new active travel habits.

These activities support schools’ efforts in achieving Eco-Schools and Healthy Schools awards as well as working towards Sustrans School Mark award which recognises excellence in sustainable travel.”

Want to get your school involved the Active Journey Programme? Download the application form

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Haworth Children get active on school run

5 April 2018

Last month Haworth Primary School children and parents got more spring in their step by walking, scooting or cycling to school as part of our local Active Travel Week (19-23 March).

Ahead of this month’s Big Pedal our Bradford Schools Officer Ian Cullen encouraged children to get active on their daily commutes. He ran a school assembly to promote the activities as well as a Dr Bike repair day and a series of ‘Safe Routes to School’ sessions for the older children.

Active travellers to school (by foot, scooter or bike) received a raffle ticket for each day. This also included those would drove and walked a 10 minute journey which was popular for families and carers who struggle to find time to walk children to school, and travel on to work.

The school had a celebration assembly and a prize draw. Prizes included a JD Bug scooter, cycle helmet, cycle gloves and some of our very own goody bags.

Head Teacher Helen Thompson was impressed with how the week went said:

“We are really grateful to Sustrans for their support in working with all of the classes over this half term. The children have thoroughly enjoyed learning about healthy and environmentally responsible ways of travelling to school in the build up to our active travel week. 

“Despite some inclement weather, we saw a positive increase in the number of children walking for some or all of their journey to school each day. We hope that this positive change enabled pupils to explore key features of our local environment, whilst also enjoying the many benefits of a daily walk to school. Our active travel has definitely put a spring in everyone’s step! ”

It also had a big impact on the school children. All the children who were asked said they preferred walking to school over travelling by car. Sammy from Year 4 said:

“Walking to school in the morning wakes me up and I’m ready for the day.”

We are working in Bradford schools to help tackle childhood obesity. Nationally and in Bradford childhood obesity levels are at a record high. Figures from Bradford’s Public Health team in 2014 showed that 20.6% of children in year 6 were classified as obese, growing up to develop poor health habits and weight problems. Deprivation is higher than average in Bradford with about 25.5% (30,700) children living in poverty in 2014, while life expectancy for both men and women was lower than the England average.

The Department of Heath recommends that all children engage in one hour’s physical exercise every day. Travelling to school actively is one way to achieve this. We are working with Haworth Primary to focus more on active travel for school children in the summer term.

Register to take part in the is years Big Pedal 

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For voters: Ask your council candidates to take the Streets for People Pledge

28 March 2018

With just over a month until London’s crucial Local Elections, now is the time for you to get your local council leadership candidate to back our Sustrans Streets for People Pledge.

If you are a candidate please see this page.

We are asking London’s prospective council leaders to pledge to:

Create three neighbourhoods free of through-traffic. Create at least two schemes that connect the places people need to go to with protected space for cycling on busy roads. Ensure redesigned streets are easy and safe for people on foot to cross and are truly accessible to all Create places people want to be, by enhancing and increasing public and pavement space and introducing seating, shade and shelter.

London Borough Councils together control 95% of the capital’s streets and have the funding available from the Mayor of London to change them.

With four years in office, a council leader can make a huge difference to the streets Londoners live, work and travel on. With a commitment at this election, we can make this happen.

Will you join our London supporters and help us get prospective councils leaders to take the Sustrans Streets for People Pledge?

Here is what you can do to help.

Step 1: Email your local candidates and ask them to take the pledge

Click on the name of your local council to open the email we have prepared. If you are not sure, use this service to find your council.

Email Barking and Dagenham candidates Email Barnet candidates Email Bexley candidates Email Brent candidates Email Bromley candidates Email Camden candidates Email Croydon candidates Email Ealing candidates Email Enfield candidates Email Greenwich candidates Email Hackney candidates Email Hammersmith and Fulham candidates Email Haringey candidates Email Harrow candidates Email Havering candidates Email Hillingdon candidates Email Hounslow candidates Email Islington candidates Email Kensington and Chelsea candidates Email Kingston Upon Thames candidates Email Lambeth candidates Email Lewisham candidates Email Merton candidates Email Newham candidates Email Redbridge candidates Email Richmond upon Thames candidates Email Southwark candidates Email Sutton candidates Email Tower Hamlets candidates Email Waltham Forest candidates Email Wandsworth candidates Email Westminster candidates

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For candidates: Will your leader take the Sustrans Streets for People Pledge?

28 March 2018
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May’s London Local Elections are just around the corner. With four years in office and control over 95% of London’s streets, prospective London Borough Council Leaders and Mayors have the opportunity to make London’s streets safer, fairer and healthier for all - to create streets for people.

Information for Prospective London Borough Councillors

If you’re a London voter please see this page

We want to see better journeys and healthier lives for everyone by changing the way our streets work. To do this we need as many prospective Council Leaders as possible to take the Sustrans Streets for People Pledge.

The Sustrans Streets for People Pledge asks Council Leadership candidates to commit to: 

Create three neighbourhoods free of through traffic. Create at least two schemes that that connect places people need to go with protected space for cycling on busy roads. Ensure redesigned streets are easy to walk through, safe to cross and truly accessible to all. Create places people want to be, by increasing pavement space and introducing seating, shade and shelter - bringing streets back to life.

By taking the pledge, prospective Council Leaders are promising their citizens streets that unlock better, healthier journeys, cleaner air and quieter, calmer places for people.

From Enfield to Ealing, we are seeing the positive impact streets designed for people can have. They allow communities to thrive, bring people back to high streets, increase healthy travel options, and help to clean our toxic air.

Be a part of something bigger this election.

Make sure your borough is one of those signing up to the Streets for People Pledge.

Together boroughs can use the next four years to create streets for people.

Download our briefing to see the transformative work London Boroughs are delivering and how you can take the pledge

If you’re running for election and want to find out more, please contact: Nicholas Sanderson, Senior Policy Officer, Sustrans

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New path extension puts active travel on the curriculum

3 April 2018
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The need for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) curriculum-based lessons has been identified as a priority in Scotland, with the Scottish Government outlining a STEM strategy for Scotland over the next few years.

In Danderhall Primary school in Midlothian, our I Bike Officer and engineering team came together to deliver STEM curriculum-based lessons on a new traffic-free cycling and walking route.

The route was identified as a priority due to the prospect of 4,000 new homes being built in the area, with limited active travel routes to local amenities and lack of awareness of key commuter routes to Edinburgh City Centre.

The collaborative approach between our engineering and I Bike team meant the local school children were engaged with the project from the start. They learned how the 3km path extension would transform a disused railway line into a path that links communities living in Lasswade, Danderhall and Shawfair. 

Following the completion of the project, the pupils geared up for another learning opportunity as part of a led-ride along the newly built cycle path.

Led by Sustrans Scotland’s I Bike team, 10 P6 pupils from Danderhall Primary School went on a 4km ride along the new route as part of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) curriculum-based lesson on the path. They were joined by Sustrans Scotland Principal Engineer, Paul Cronin who provided learning on some of the engineering and maths required to help build the path and Sustrans Ecologist Lenka Sukenikova who taught pupils about the range of wildlife and biodiversity on the route.

Danderhall Primary school is one of 26 schools in Midlothian receiving support from two dedicated Sustrans I Bike Officers. The project, which is funded by Midlothian Council and Transport Scotland, helps to deliver curriculum-linked cycling activities to pupils to encourage them to be more active.

Sustrans Scotland I Bike Officer for Midlothian, Roslynn Newman said:

“The Loanhead Path Extension is a fantastic new asset to schools and residents in the area.

“The local, traffic-free route is a safe and attractive place to take children out for led-rides and walks as well as vital link to access key local facilities such as the health centre and station.

“Led-rides and outdoor learning sessions are a vital part of a pupils everyday learning. Not only do they encourage children to be more active but it teaches them to engage with their environment in a different and more dynamic way.”  

Find out more about our work in Scotland

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