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Raising the Standards Day is a great opportunity to explore the issues involved in active travel.
To hear from experts across the industry, from within Sustrans alongside national and international professionals, partners and specialists.
We recognise the importance of bringing partners together from across the country to share learning and best practice, and this year was no exception.
With inspirational speakers and interactive workshops, the day encourages partners and stakeholders who we work with to deliver walking and cycling infrastructure, to think about how we can recalibrate our streets in favour of people.
Accessible for allLee Craigie opened the day with her first official appearance as Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland. Her experiences as a competitive and endurance rider are well documented. However, she used her opening address to connect on a personal level, talking about her life growing up in suburban Glasgow and what motivates her to make active travel more accessible for the next generation.
“What I wasn’t sure about when I first heard about the job was if I wanted to do it… I like to ride my bike long distances, I like to be free, I’m pretty nomadic. But I had to ask myself ‘what is it that I value, what is of most value to me in the world? When I’m lying on my death bed what am I going to look back and think ‘oh yeah that I went for that extra trip on my own on my bike’ or am I going to think ‘I made a difference there, I managed to actually help people change what it is that we value as a society.’”
Matt MacDonald, Head of Project Delivery, Infrastructure, Sustrans Scotland, welcomed everyone to the event. Talking about the importance of collaboration as well as laying out plans for the launch of Sustrans’ design principles and changes streamlining Sustrans’ infrastructure funds.
Urban democracyKeynote speaker, Danish urban designer Mikael Colville-Anderson (Copenhagenize), gave an impassioned presentation on what is possible when cities commit to change. Expounding urban democracy where walking and cycling become the most efficient way to move people through a city.
In Copenhagen cycling has become the fastest way to travel from A to B. Convenience and speed of travel are the main motivators, a healthier lifestyle and less pollution are just wonderful by-products. The economic benefits, via savings in healthcare and travel time, make for a strong economic argument to convince sceptics, with this model being applied to cities across Europe, Russia, South and North America.
“The bicycle is a powerful symbol but it is also the most important tool in our urban toolbox for improving lives and making cities better.”
Engaging with communitiesTransport engagement consultant, Jon Little, went into detail on the Enjoy Waltham Forest (aka Mini-Holland) project which transformed the London Borough. Highlighting the hurdles involved in change and the importance of engagement with the community. The results are incredibly impressive with studies showing that residents will now live on average seven months longer.
“It’s about living, it’s about enjoying where you live, and fundamentally you can’t really do that with 4,000 cars going down your street.”
Healthy StreetsPublic health and transport expert, Lucy Saunders asked if our street environment is meeting our basic needs. Outlining ten healthy streets indicators before leading a break out session exploring Dundee.
“If you design a street that works for people, then you are designing a street that works for their health.”
Further breakout sessions on Green Infrastructure and engaging communities in active travel alongside a partner panel and Q&A session gave a good overview of the breadth of Sustrans’ work from city centre transformations to rural projects.
And if there was an overriding theme across the event it was that people and communities should take priority, the dominance of motor vehicles is based on an outdated model that no longer makes sense on health, environmental or economic grounds.
Watch videos from some of the speakers at Raising the Standards Day:
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In November, Sustrans Cymru celebrated one of our most dedicated volunteers, Helen Jenkins, who won the Volunteer of the Year Award. The award recognises the fantastic work by our volunteers across the country. Helen was recognised for her outstanding contribution towards active travel at Ysgol Rhydypennau, Aberystwyth.
Helen’s work includes delivering a range of activities and events in-line with our Active Journeys project, a programme that works with schools across Wales to create a culture that makes it easier for children to walk, scoot or cycle. Helen also supports Dr Bike Sessions, delivers a cycling assembly and runs regular ‘cycle to school’ mornings.
Helen has been a Sustrans School volunteer for two years. Alongside her husband, Pete, who is also a Sustrans volunteer, Helen runs a weekly Bike Skills club at Ysgol Rhydypennau. The club is aimed at teaching pupils from year three upwards skills to build confidence; ride safely and have fun. Ysgol Rhydypennau have been so impressed by Helen’s dedication that she is now a volunteer at the school and is currently assisting with kerbcraft training.
The volunteer of the year award was presented to Helen by Sustrans’ Steve Brooks, National Director and Sioned Lewis, Sustrans School Officer.
Sioned Lewis said: “Helen is fantastic and thoroughly deserves this recognition. It’s easy to see why she won the volunteer of the year award, she really does go above and beyond. Helen is a constant source of active travel inspiration. She sets a great example for the pupils, staff and parents and inspires them to embrace walking, cycling and scooting. She’s given so many parents the confidence and skills to cycle into Ysgol Rhydypennau, it’s made a big difference to the way people travel during the school run.”
“ Helen is fantastic and thoroughly deserves this recognition. It’s easy to see why she won the volunteer of the year award, she really does go above and beyond. Helen is a constant source of active travel inspiration. ”
- Sioned Lewis, Sustrans School OfficerHelen also runs a Confidence Building & Road Safety Awareness Group for families and individuals in her local community. The group has supported and encouraged people to get out on their bikes and to embrace active travel. In June 2018, Helen also won a Road Safety Wales award to recognise her contribution towards road safety in Ceredigion due to her volunteering activities with Sustrans.
Congratulations and a big thank you to you, Helen.
The time our volunteers dedicate to Sustrans makes a huge difference in helping us to look after thousands of miles of the National Cycle Network, and to encourage even more people in schools, universities and local communities to travel actively.
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Our volunteers are working with local schools in East Manchester to help turn an abandoned old railway turntable in Godley into a wildlife haven and community event space.
The Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail received £45,300 last year from Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the turntable, create a community space for performances and events and a peaceful nature haven. Volunteers have worked with our team to clear vegetation and trees from the centre of the turntable and uncover parts of the original track and ash pits for the steam railway.
“ It will be a fantastic practical educational opportunity and we’d really like to hear from local schools who would like to get involved with the project. ”
- Peter Brocklehurst, Volunteer group coordinator, Godley Turntable projectThe 70-foot diameter turntable is located on our one-mile traffic-free path between Godley and Apethorn, and is part of the long-distance Trans Pennine Trail and the National Cycle Network. The turntable forms the perfect shape for an outdoor arena and has become a tranquil resting spot along the path, surrounded by trees, grasses and wetland, which is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
Volunteers will now work with our Northern team to repair the wall, cover the base and install drains in the turntable, so the local community can hold performances and events. As part of the work,p volunteers will install benches and information boards about the history and nature of the area, and build new features to attract and conserve wildlife.
Volunteer group coordinator Peter Brocklehurst said they would like to work closely with the local community and schools to help create a space for everyone:
“This year we’ll be helping to improve the habitat and attract local nature by building things like bat boxes, hedgehog refuges and bug hotels. It will be a fantastic practical educational opportunity and we’d really like to hear from local schools who would like to get involved with the project.”
The turntable was built in the early 1930s as part of the Woodhead railway electrification process and was mainly used to carry coal and other types of freight. During the war it was an important storage site and a bomb narrowly missed the turntable.
A nearby pond is a reminder of the crater it left behind. After the railway closed in the 1960s the site was abandoned for 40 years and became overgrown, but the old brickwork of the turntable remains intact and there are several reminders of its railway past, such as tracks and channels where the waste ash was deposited.
If you are part of a local school and would like to get involved, please get in touch via Godley Turntable group on Facebook or contact Sarah Roe at Sustrans North West on T: 0161 233 4071
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Sustrans Scotland has today announced the opening of a new grant fund to support communities in making improvements to National Cycle Network routes across Scotland.
The Network Action Grant Fund, funded by Transport Scotland and delivered by Sustrans Scotland, seeks to empower communities in implementing improvements which make journeys on the National Cycle Network more attractive and enjoyable. The announcement follows the release of Sustrans’ Paths for Everyone report and action plan for Scotland, which outlined the charity’s long-term vision for the National Cycle Network.
Grant funding is available for projects which benefit people or wildlife across National Cycle Network routes in Scotland, with community groups able to apply for grants of between £100 and £750. Examples of costs which can be covered with a Network Action grant award include litter-picking equipment, tools, seeds, bird and bat boxes, habitat management training, wildlife surveying equipment and training to lead walks or rides on the Network.
“ Communities often have the best knowledge of their local environment, and we hope to encourage and empower these groups in improving their much-loved paths through the Network Action Grant Fund. ”
- Laura White, Sustrans ScotlandLaura White, Sustrans Scotland Network Engagement Coordinator (Volunteering) said: “To achieve our vision of the National Cycle Network as a true network of paths for everyone, Sustrans has committed to leading across five themes: run it, love it, fix it, grow it and fund it. The Network Action Grant Fund is a crucial tool in helping us accomplish all of these objectives, alongside our Sustrans Scotland volunteer programme.
“People are much more likely to walk and cycle on attractive, interesting and biodiverse routes. We hope to aid local communities in making the most of the remarkable assets on their doorsteps and helping the National Cycle Network in Scotland to flourish.”
Community groups throughout Scotland who would like to benefit from Network Action grant funding of up to £750 are encouraged to submit an online expression of interest form through the Sustrans website, where more details and guidelines for applications are also available. The application deadline for the current round of funding is 17th May 2019.
Find out more about the fund, and submit an expression of interest
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A Caerphilly school near congestion hotspot have been awarded a Sustrans Award in recognition for reducing car use for journeys to school.
A huge congratulations to Cwrt Rawlin Primary School, based in Caerphilly, which was awarded the Sustrans’ Silver School Mark following the school’s recent efforts in supporting children to walk, cycle and scoot to school. Since taking part in the Sustrans School Mark the school’s exemplary commitment to lessen the amount of congestion has seen a decrease of 15% in driving to school – significantly more than the national average.
The Silver School Mark is awarded to a school that continues to demonstrate a commitment to promoting active and sustainable travel, with much of the energy and resources coming from within the school and its community. These commitments include implementing organisational, cultural and behavioural changes which help the school community choose to travel in more active and sustainable ways.
Cwrt Rawlin Primary School saw an impressive rise in active travel with a 6% increase in cycling to school and 9% increase is scooting to school.
“ Working with Sustrans over the last two years has been rewarding and very beneficial to the school. I’ve seen a huge change in how the pupils travel to school and the way they think about active travel. I’m delighted that we have been awarded the Silver School Mark. ”
- Tara Lloyd, Cwrt Rawlin HeadteacherThe school celebrated achieving the award with a special assembly attended by Cllr James Fussell and Cllr Colin Elsbury. The assembly included a presentation by pupils detailing their Sustrans Silver School Mark journey and a presentation by Hamish Belding, Sustrans Active Journeys Officer.
Cllr James Fussell, who presented the award, said:
“Cwrt Rawlin Primary School have worked hard to achieve the Sustrans Silver School Mark and I’m happy to be here presenting the award. The increased numbers of children travelling to school by bike, scooter and foot is very impressive. Staff and parents have embraced a new positive way of thinking about the school run and their dedication deserves recognition too. Seeing a full bike and scooter rack on the schoolyard is a wonderful sight."
Tara Lloyd, Head Teacher of Cwrt Rawlin Primary said:
“Working with Sustrans over the last two years has been rewarding and very beneficial to the school. I’ve seen a huge change in how the pupils travel to school and the way they think about active travel. I’m delighted that we have been awarded the Silver School Mark, especially having won bronze last year – it really showcases the hard work of our pupils, parents and staff. Hamish has taught the pupils many valuable life skills including how to stay safe on the roads and how to repair a bike, these skills will stay with the pupils forever.”
Find out more how Sustrans School Mark encourages active travel to school
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An estimated 34,000 incidences of eight life-threatening conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, stroke, breast cancer and depression, would be prevented in seven major cities between 2017 and 2040, if cycling increased at rates like those seen since the millennium in London.
Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, has today published a first of its kind report which looks at what the health, economic and environmental benefits of cycling could look like by 2040 in seven UK cities: Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester and Newcastle.
“Transforming Cities: The potential of everyday cycling” is based on data from Bike Life, the largest assessment of cycling in UK cities, and highlights the impact of doubling cycling trips every eight years between 2017 and 2040. The modelling follows the UK Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy which seeks to double cycling in England over eight years by 2025.
It has estimated that more than one billion cycling trips would take place in 2040 in those major cities, which is an eight-fold increase from 123 million trips. This would:
Equate to over 242.4 million hours of additional physical activity. Prevent 628 early deaths. Generate £21 billion of savings to the economy, including 319 million of savings to the NHS over the 23-year period.England’s Chief Medical Officer and the UK Government recommend adults get 150 minutes of physical activity each week. However, in 2015 34% of men and 42% of women reported that they did not meet UK guidelines on physical activity.
Physical inactivity currently costs the NHS around £1bn each year, and when including costs to wider society, this rises to around £7.4bn each year.
A new report from the World Health Organisation states non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer are one of the key global health threats and recommends governments meet physical activity targets to tackle the growing epidemic of NCDs.
In the UK, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued a proposal earlier this month, which recommends city planners should develop connected travel routes which prioritise pedestrians and people on bikes.
Sustrans warns that the substantial health benefits from increased cycling are only possible if long term political commitment and investment across government exist.
Currently, the Government’s ring-fenced cycling and walking investment in England, outside of London, is on a steep downward trajectory: from £2.16 per person in 2016/7, to just 37p in 2020/1. Whilst, some devolved authorities are able to invest additional funding, the majority need greater financial certainty from the Government through ring-fenced funding to be able to invest and plan for active travel in the long-term.
Sustrans, along with other walking and cycling organisations, wants the UK Government to commit 5% of the transport budget on active travel, rising to 10% by 2025 in the next Comprehensive Spending Review. This would amount to £17 per person annually in 2020/21, rising to £34 per person in 2024/5 in England. Similar commitments should then be made in the devolved nations and would help cities to invest.
The report outlines a set of five must-haves for local government to help increase, and therefore normalise, cycling for local journeys, including:
Political commitment alongside ambitious plans and long-term investment; Delivery of a high-quality cycling network: including on-road cycle tracks separated from motor traffic, off-road paths, and local routes on low-trafficked and low-speed streets; Neighbourhoods are designed in a way that prioritises people walking and cycling, including traffic restraints measures; People and businesses are supported to change travel behaviours; Cycling is fully integrated with public transport, homes and work.Xavier Brice, Chief Executive at Sustrans said:
“Our report provides 34,000 reasons why governments across the UK should prioritise investment in cycling. Every part of the country is facing a physical inactivity and obesity crisis, which is why decision-makers need to get on the front foot and tackle these problems head-on.
“Prevention is better than cure is an often repeated mantra of health ministers across the UK, but tackling the deepening health crisis shouldn’t be left to the NHS alone. That’s why the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review should prioritise prevention and provide greater public funding for cycling to deliver our five ‘must haves’.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“Cycling in Greater Manchester, like in many UK cities and regions is increasing, although not at a pace we’d like to see. We have a long way to go before we can call cycling a ‘normal’ way to travel, which is accessible to all our residents.
“This is why we are investing £160m in walking and cycling. We cannot think of a better way to spend £160m on transport that brings such widespread benefits to residents across our region. This investment however is just the start. We want to double cycling and then double it again. We were made to move and now is the time to act on this and transform our great city region.”
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol City Council said:
“Bristol demonstrated it is possible for a city to double cycling in ten years, and we are committed to continuing this momentum to ensure we meet future goals, not least improving air quality and meeting our carbon neutral targets.
Our draft Transport Strategy presents a vision for Bristol to be a well-connected city that enables people to move around efficiently with increased transport options that are accessible and inclusive to everyone. Making space and improving safety for walking, cycling and public transport will enable us to meet this goal.”
Find out more about “Bike Life - Transforming cities: The potential of everyday cycling”For more information, including the report of the trial, images and interviews 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
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The Government is in serious danger of missing its targets to increase levels of cycling and walking in England unless there is an increase in funding, three leading cycling and walking charities said today.
Giving evidence to the House of Commons Transport Committee inquiry into Active Travel, Cycling UK, Sustrans and Living Streets urged the Government to make a significant increase in investment in active travel to address a public health crisis.
The Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS), published in 2016, sets out to double the number of cycling trips by 2025, with similar aims to increase walking, particularly for school journeys.
However, in a safety review document to support the strategy, published last November the Department for Transport admitted its current policy would only see cycling increase by a third over the next six years.
“ We welcome the UK Government’s work on walking and cycling in England to date. The Government now needs to up its game on the low cycling levels and the decreasing numbers of children walking to school. ”
- Rachel White, Senior Policy and Political Advisor, SustransThe Government has set an ambition in the CWIS of getting 55% of primary school children walking to school by 2025. This is an important recognition of the benefits of getting children walking to school. However, last year the figure dropped from 53% to 51%.
The charities recognise Transport Minister Jesse Norman’s push to strengthen the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy; but a very significant funding boost is still needed if the Government’s ambition, for walking and cycling to become the normal choices for short journeys, is to be realised.
Only 2% of total transport spending is on cycling and walking. Cycling UK, Living Streets and Sustrans say this should rise to at least 5% by 2020, and 10% by 2024, with a large proportion of this allocated to support local authorities’ plans to increase cycling and walking.
Without this increase in funding and more cross-departmental working, the role of cycling and walking as outlined in the Government’s strategies to address the obesity epidemic and air pollution will be limited.
“ Enabling more people to walk and cycle everyday journeys can hugely improve our health, air quality, traffic congestion and road safety. The government need to invest to make this happen. ”
- Joe Irvin, Chief Executive of Living StreetsRoger Geffen, Cycling UK’s policy director, who gave evidence to the committee said:
‘Cycling is a miracle pill that can cure a lot of the ills this Government is facing with air pollution and the physical health problems associated with inactivity.
'However, by its own admission, the Government is not going to meet its own modest targets to double cycling, which Cycling UK believes is due to inadequate funding. Cycling UK believes Government should rebalance its spending to local solutions to car dependence.
'It’s not the people currently cycling who will benefit from more funding, but rather those who feel forced to drive those short distances to school, work or the shops due to having no suitable alternative.’
Joe Irvin, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
'Enabling more people to walk and cycle everyday journeys can hugely improve our health, air quality, traffic congestion and road safety. The government need to invest to make this happen.
'In particular, the government needs to encourage and enable more children to walk to school, or it will fail to meet its own target of 55% of primary school children walking to school by 2025.’
Rachel White, Senior Policy and Political Advisor for Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity said:
'We welcome the UK Government’s work on walking and cycling in England to date. The Government now needs to up its game on the low cycling levels and the decreasing numbers of children walking to school.
'Physical inactivity, air pollution, climate change and struggling high streets can all be reduced through the provision of high-quality infrastructure such as a network of protected cycle lanes and pedestrianisation of our shopping centres.
This requires sustained, long-term investment in cycling and walking but we need real cross-departmental leadership and investment now to make the change. Additionally, any increase in funding nationally must be matched with a commitment to delivery at a local level.’
Cycling UK and Living Streets are running a joint campaign, supported by Sustrans, urging the Government to allocate more funding to authorities devising plans to encourage cycling and walking.
For more information contact Anna Galandzij in the Sustrans Press Office on 07910 559739
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, 
In her first official appearance in her new role Scotland’s newly appointed Active Nation Commissioner, Lee Craigie is to meet the people at the frontline of delivering walking and cycling infrastructure at a major event in Dundee.
Raising the Standards Day, Caird Hall, Dundee, 23 January, is an annual knowledge sharing event run by walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, that brings active travel partners together to meet and share best practice project ideas and experiences.
“ I am looking forward to attending this event. I am delighted to have been tasked with the privilege and responsibility of helping more people to realise the benefits of walking and cycling for every day journeys. ”
- Lee Craigie, Scotland's Active Nation CommissionerSpeakers and experts will come together to share knowledge and best practice in delivering well designed, safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure. Sustrans sees it as an opportunity to raise ambition and promote innovation in infrastructure through inspirational presentations and workshops that empower partners to deliver big, bold and pioneering projects that will restore the balance of Scotland’s streets. Sustrans manages funds to support walking and cycling infrastructure on behalf of Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government’s Transport Agency.
The charity expects around 200 delegates to attend on the day, from each of the 32 local authorities in Scotland, community groups, NHS, universities and colleges, Scottish Government and other statutory bodies.
Lee Craigie was announced as Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland in December 2018. This new position will see Craigie as an official representative for walking, cycling and physical activity. This will be Craigie’s first opportunity to address, meet and talk to Sustrans and travel partners working towards increasing and making active travel easier across the country.
Other speakers at Raising the Standards Day include world-renowned Danish urban designer Mikael Colville-Andersen, transport engagement consultant, Jon Little and public health and transport expert, Lucy Saunders alongside workshops, panels and exhibitions.
Sustrans Scotland National Director, John Lauder said:
‘Sustrans Scotland warmly welcome Lee Craigie to her role and we are delighted that she has chosen to attend our Raising the Standards Day event as her first official appearance.
'Raising the Standards Day is an opportunity for those at the forefront of delivering infrastructure that makes places better for walking and cycling, to be inspired and to share best practice. It will be a great opportunity to hear from Lee and for her to learn about, and discuss, many of the challenges and opportunities we all face in making Scotland a more active nation.’
Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland Lee Craigie said:
'I am looking forward to attending this event. I am delighted to have been tasked with the privilege and responsibility of helping more people to realise the benefits of walking and cycling for every day journeys. This event is a great opportunity to meet the technical experts and those in charge of delivery and learn about the challenges faced on the ground.’
For more information please contact:Claire Daly, Sustrans Scotland Policy and Communications Manager: T: 0131 346 3010 / M: 0786 8701678
Henry Northmore, Sustrans Scotland Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer: T: 0131 346 1384 / M: 07824 664445
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