Sustrans win prestigious award at The STAR conference

30 May 2019

Sustrans Scotland are pleased to announce that Emily Gait and Irene Tortajada won the award for “Best Paper by a Young Professional” at The Scottish Transport Applications and Research (STAR) conference in Glasgow.

Their paper, ‘the role of collaborative design in delivering inclusive, cohesive and self-sufficient communities’, demonstrates how Sustrans is leading the way in developing people focussed design processes and identifying behaviour change opportunities that are beginning to and could help transform the social and physical health of the communities we are working in.

The STAR Conference is the leading annual event for publishing, assessing and debating innovation and research in transport across Scotland.

Irene Tortajada and Emily Gait, Community Engagement Officers, Street Design, Sustrans Scotland, said:

“We are very pleased to have been awarded the best paper by a young professional at the STAR Conference. It has been a great opportunity to showcase the amazing work of Sustrans Scotland Street Design programme, particularly our ongoing projects empowering communities in areas of deprivation to re-design their neighbourhoods, making them more liveable, inclusive and sustainable.”

The programme committee at STAR said: “What stood out was a genuine, user focussed approach, including rapidly delivered temporary interventions, chosen and maintained by communities to build momentum for more major improvements.”

“The paper demonstrates the importance of context shaped and targeted engagement and the increased value of it in areas of high deprivation in Scotland”

The full paper is available on the STAR website.

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Sustrans expands senior management team, including charity’s first Director of Urbanism

30 May 2019
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Walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, has made a number of senior appointments UK-wide and in Scotland and Northern Ireland to reflect the charity’s ongoing commitment to people-centred places, and expansion of operations in these locations.

John Lauder, who has been Sustrans Scotland’s Director since 2005, will now take the role of Deputy Chief Executive of Sustrans, as well as National Director Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.  He has overseen an expansion in Sustrans Scotland’s operations over his 14 year period with the charity. In addition, John has been at the helm throughout a period of intense change in the role, profile and policy position of walking, cycling and wheeling in Scotland, not least a doubling of the Scottish Government’s budget for active travel to £80M a year in 2017 and the appointment of an Active Nation Commissioner in 2018.

After a year acting as Deputy Director, Grace Martin will move to a new role of Director, Scotland.  She joined Sustrans Scotland from previous senior leadership roles in Scottish charities, most recently as Director of the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Following a year’s secondment to City of Edinburgh Council leading the much-admired City Centre Transformation project, Daisy Narayanan has been appointed as Sustrans’ first ever Director of Urbanism. She will continue her secondment to Edinburgh for another year, but in the meantime, she will continue to build Sustrans thinking and influence in Urban Design and placemaking. She will both support the delivery of high quality design through the charity’s funded programmes, and support development of the charity’s strategic priorities in defining what liveable towns and cities for everyone means.

Ashley Hunter joins as Sustrans Director, Northern Ireland & RoI. Ashley will be accountable to the Deputy Chief Executive on all operational programmes and developments. John Lauder will be working with Ashley and the team in Northern Ireland to develop Sustrans Northern Ireland’s work strategically, as well as reviewing and refreshing programmes and continue to deliver and evidence impact.

All appointees, Director, Scotland, Grace Martin and Director, Northern Ireland, Ashley Hunter and Director of Urbanism, Daisy Narayanan will report to John Lauder.

Commenting on the appointments, John Lauder said: “I am delighted with all the changes taking shape in Sustrans throughout our charity, not least the review of the National Cycle Network, which produced our Paths for Everyone commitment to improving the network and our continued commitment to make walking, cycling and wheeling easier for everyone. Grace Martin brings superb insight and experience to the role of Director, Scotland.

“The appointment of Daisy as Sustrans’ first Director of Urbanism is hugely significant as she brings a wealth of experience from her secondment to City of Edinburgh Council, where she has helped lead the City Centre Transformation project. Daisy will do much to help Sustrans shape our priority to help make cities and towns right across the UK high quality, people-centred places. In addition, the appointment of Ashley Hunter following the retirement of Gordon Clarke provides a new stimulus for our work throughout the island of Ireland.”

Commenting on her appointment, Daisy Narayanan said: “In the appointment of a Director of Urbanism, Sustrans has made a bold statement of intent – with a clear commitment to people-centred place making at the heart of what we do.  I’m delighted and honoured to take up this appointment and look forward to both learning, and contributing to the charity’s thinking.”

Grace Martin, Director, Scotland said: “In the field of active travel and place making, the team Sustrans Scotland has an unrivalled range of skills, expertise and talent. I am delighted to be leading this team.  We are also fortunate to have a committed and engaged funder in Transport Scotland, and to work with such a range of partners in local authorities, community trusts, NHS estates and others. I look forward to building on the excellent work already done by John and the team.” 

Ashley Hunter, Director Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland said: “I’m thrilled to take up the position of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Director for Sustrans,”

“My predecessor Gordon Clarke successfully developed behaviour change programmes in schools, workplaces and communities to reduce car dependency and encourage walking and cycling. There is still much to do on the whole island of Ireland, especially to improve infrastructure for active travel, but I look forward to the challenge.”

Find out more about our directors Read more about our liveable neighbourhoods project

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Sustrans Big Pedal helps London families ditch the car to bike, scoot or walk over half a million school runs

29 May 2019
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It’s been a fantastic Big Pedal year with a record-breaking number of schools taking part in our annual challenge. It was great to see so many families ditching the car and getting to schools under their own steam.

Over half a million school runs cycled, scooted or walked

Our Big Pedal, the UK’s largest cycling, scooting and walking competition, has resulted in school children across London making over half a million school runs by bike, scooter or on foot. In a record-breaking year, 239 London schools took part in the 10-day challenge.

School Streets for cleaner air

As part of the Big Pedal, we also worked with seven London schools, their local authorities and the local communities to trial School Streets where they closed their streets to motor vehicles during pick up and drop off times to create a safer, less polluted car-free environment for families to cycle, walk and scoot.

Making change happen

Big Pedal demonstrates that giving people incentives to change habits and opt to walk, cycle or scoot their everyday journeys helps to create healthier, happier communities, as people ditch their cars for an active and more sociable school run.

Sustrans’ Head of Built Environment in London, Giulio Ferrini said: “Our work with schools across London shows that we can make change happen. It is shocking that every school in London is in a location which is breaching World Health Organisation limits. 

“  Our work with schools across London shows that we can make change happen. It is shocking that every school in London is in a location which is breaching World Health Organisation limits. ”

-  Giulio Ferrini, Sustrans’ Head of Built Environment in London "Urgent action is needed to bring down current pollution levels. We want national government to support local authorities to make it safer and easier for parents and children to walk, scoot and cycle to school. To do that, the roads outside schools need to feel safe. We are looking forward to working with more Boroughs to make streets outside school gates car fee, by delivering community-led solutions that work for everyone.

"It is great to see more and more people getting involved in our Big Pedal challenge. Changing the way young people travel is fundamental to their health and wellbeing. Schools and councils need to take bold decisions to make this happen.

"We are passionate about playing a major role in helping London meet the Mayor’s target of 80% of all trips in the capital to be made on foot, by cycle or by public transport by 2041. We are doing this by continuing our work in schools and the communities around our great city to make people feel they can leave the car at home and travel more actively.”

Claudine Richardson, Bike It Champion at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Richmond said: “We decided to take part in the Big Pedal this year as a survey of our students revealed that air pollution and congestion outside the school gate was a big concern.

"During the competition, we saw a huge surge in the number of pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school and this has continued even after the challenge. It is fantastic to see the pupils come in so energised in the morning after a brisk walk or cycle.”

Keeping healthy and fit

For London, all the pupil journeys to school made by bike, scooter or on foot during the 10-day challenge is estimated to have burnt over 47.6 million calories in total - the equivalent of 196,906 doughnuts.

According to London’s Childhood Obesity Taskforce, nearly 40 per cent of all London’s children are overweight or obese. Walking, scooting or cycling to school could play a key role in helping children get their recommended hour of physical activity a day and enable them to maintain a healthy weight.

Greater London Authority research has shown that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day, it would save the NHS £1.7bn in treatment costs over the next 25 years. This includes 85,000 fewer people being treated for hip fractures, 19,200 fewer people suffering from dementia, and an estimated 18,800 fewer Londoners suffering from depression. It is the ambition of the Mayor that Londoners walk or cycle for at least 20 minutes every day – currently, only 34 per cent of Londoners manage to do this on any given day.

Organised by Sustrans, and sponsored by Micro Scooters and Tonik Energy, the Big Pedal, which took place from 25 March to 5 April, is the largest inter-school cycling, walking and scooting competition of its kind in the UK.

If you would like the street outside your school closed to motor traffic during pick-up and drop-off times, get in touch and we can help.

See the results of the Big Pedal competition Find out about our work in London Read our latest annual review

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New website provides active travel solutions for workplaces

28 May 2019

Sustrans Scotland is collaborating with a number of active and sustainable travel organisations to launch a new website to promote active travel.

Way to Work is a new, free, online tool for workplaces in Scotland. Officially launching on Tuesday 28 May, the Way to Work website helps workplaces in Scotland support staff to travel by foot, bike, public transport or car share.

Way to Work showcases information from nine active and sustainable travel organisations, linking directly to their own websites for more information. These organisations offer a range of support to encourage employees to walk and cycle to work, or to commute or do business travel in a more sustainable way. The website collates funding, training, support, awards, challenges, competitions and travel planning from across Scotland into one place.

It also features inspiring case studies and the latest active and sustainable travel news.

With funding from Transport Scotland, Way to Work is delivered by Sustrans Scotland in partnership with the Workplace Sustainable Travel Delivery Group:

CoMo UK Cycling Scotland Energy Saving Trust Healthy Working Lives Living Streets NHS Health Scotland Paths for All Travelknowhow Scotland

Grace Martin, Director, Sustrans Scotland, said:

“The new Way to Work website offers a one stop shop for workplaces to access sustainable travel news and offers. Making it easier for employers and employees to find information that can make an impact at their workplace.

“Following exercise you arrive at work more alert and ready to face the day ahead. Evidence shows that active travel can have a positive impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. We know that people who travel actively to work are fitter, healthier, happier and less likely to take sick days.”

Find out more at Way to Work

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Pupils cycling to school in Scotland at their highest recorded levels

24 May 2019
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The percentage of pupils cycling to school each year continues to increase according to new research released by Sustrans Scotland.

A total of 3.8% of school pupils said they cycled to school in 2018, up from 2.8% in 2010.

‘Park and Stride’, where pupils are driven part way to school then complete the rest of the journey on foot, is also at its highest recorded level at 9.8% (compared to 7.4% in 2010).

The findings form part of the annual 2018 Hands Up Scotland Survey, an official statistic in Scotland. Funded by Transport Scotland, the survey was carried out by Sustrans Scotland in partnership with all 32 Scottish local authorities.

Active travel remains the most frequently reported mode of travel to school in Scotland. Of the 48.7% of pupils who reported travelling actively to school 42.5% walked, 3.8% cycled and 2.4% scootered or skated.

Sustrans noted a drop in the percentage of pupils travelling by sustainable public transport (bus) to 16.2%, the lowest levels since the Hands Up Scotland Survey began. There was also a slight increase in the percentage of pupils who travelled by private motorised vehicle (car or taxi) up to 24.8%.

There is a marked difference in active travel between independent and state schools. 46.9% of pupils from independent schools are driven to school compared to 22.9% in state schools.

Commenting on the findings Sustrans Scotland’s National Director John Lauder said:

“We want to thank all the schools who took part in 2018’s Hands Up Scotland Survey.

“The report is an incredibly useful indicator of trends in how children travel to school. Helping schools, local authorities and partners identify what needs to be improved to help more children travel actively every day.

“It’s encouraging to see that cycling and park and stride numbers continue to increase. Research has shown that increased physical activity can help children lead happier, healthier lives, while contributing to lowering pollution around their school gates.”

“We need to continue to monitor the reduction in bus use, and seek to identify ways that active travel can be a viable alternative, rather than the private car.”

Find out more about the Hands Up Scotland Survey Read more about our work in Scotland 

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Trans Pennine Trail celebrates 30 years

24 May 2019

The UK’s first long distance cycling, walking and horse riding route is celebrating its 30th birthday with a series of events.

The coast to coast trail runs from Southport to Hornsea, with many sections on the Sustrans National Cycle Network, and attracts some 1.7 million people a year. To mark this historic milestone the national Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) office is coordinating an events programme during 2019 along various parts of the 370 mile route. The year-long programme includes anniversary rides, walks and activities hosted by trail partners, including Sustrans TPT volunteers, Local Authorities, Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail and local user groups. 

Initial construction works for the Trans Pennine Trail began in 1989, leading to a trail from York to Liverpool via Selby, Doncaster, Barnsley, Manc hester, Warrington and Widnes, with other northern and southern sections added later to create the full coast to coast route that officially opened in 2001.

Today the Trans Pennine Trail meanders along old railway tracks, canal towpaths and riverside pathways, passing through urban and rural landscapes in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. It includes some of the most historic towns and cities in Northern England, heritage sites and the Peak District National Park. As well as the main coast to coast route (215 miles) there is an additional North-South section connecting Leeds and Chesterfield, and spurs to York and Kirkburton. Much of the Trail is relatively flat and provides a great safe area for everyone, including families, and those less confident or less able to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

Gillian Ivey, Chair of the Trans Pennine Trail partnership said: ”The route is a great place to encourage an active lifestyle, helping to promote good health through gentle exercise in a safe environment. In addition, in promoting sustainable travel the Trail is dedicated to improving air quality and reducing congestion by encouraging people to adopt green transport in their daily routines.  It is wonderful to have Sustrans joining our 30th Anniversary celebrations.”

Sustrans is a partner of the Trans Pennine Trail and owns and manages some sections of the long distance path. The UK charity has active volunteer groups along the route and also helps attract funding to improve and maintain it. In 2015, Sustrans supporters voted the Trail as their favourite long distance route on the National Cycle Network.

Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans Director for the North of England said: “The Trans Pennine Trail is one of the early success stories of the National Cycle Network and a fantastic example of how local partners can work together to create a resource which helps thousands more people get active for leisure and everyday journeys. As we celebrate 30 years we are looking at ways to maximise the benefits of the trail for all user groups and to create links with local cycling and walking networks. As part of our review of the National Cycle Network, we are seeking funding to invest in areas such as improving access along the Trail, on road safety, road crossings, way-finding and surface quality.”

First discussions about the development of a Trans Pennine Trail began in 1987. The coal industry in South Yorkshire had declined, leaving a network of abandoned railway lines. Barnsley Council commissioned Sustrans to carry out a feasibility study, looking at the possibility of creating a major recreational network based on the town’s old railway lines, but spreading as far as possible across the north of England.

Today the Trail start and end points at Southport and Hornsea are marked by striking Seamark features.  Many users choose to travel from Southport to Hornsea for the prevailing winds and from here the route travels southwards to Liverpool and eastwards across the Pennines and the Peak District National Park, towards Hull and eventually terminates at Hornsea on the east coast. It passes through 27 Local Authorities, with northern sections linking in York, Leeds and Wakefield and a southern link to Sheffield, Chesterfield and Kirkburton. The latest addition - Penistone to Kirkburton section, officially opened in 2012.

Much of the Trail is now part of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network, which includes 16,575 miles of cycling and walking routes across the UK. The walking route between Liverpool and Hull is also the British part of the E8 European Long Distance Footpath, which runs from Ireland and will eventually reach Turkey.

Visit the website for more information on the Trans Pennine Trail and the events programme or contact Hannah Beaumont at the national Trans Pennine Trail Office on T: 01226 772574.
Or Sarah Roe, Marketing & Communications officer for Sustrans in the North of England on m: 07847 372647.

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Dams for wildlife on Yorkshire path

22 May 2019
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Our volunteers and local team have built three new dams on the Spen Valley Greenway to help attract frogs, birds, bats, insects, and wildflowers.

The team built the dams, which are up to 18 foot wide, from logs removed from another greenway and mud from the surrounding wetland. We own the popular walking and cycling path, which is a haven for wildlife, and recently widened the wetland to help prevent flooding.

Spen Valley Greenway is part of a network of traffic-free wildlife corridors on the National Cycle Network, which are managed to help boost biodiversity. The charity holds regular wildlife workdays and events on the path, and there will be a free guided bird walk on the route on Sunday 9th June.

Sarah Bradbury, our Greener Greenways officer in Yorkshire said: “We had great fun building dams to enable pools to form in this wetland area to help local wildlife. We could see on the day that pools were already starting to form due to our efforts and an inquisitive blue tit was taking a look at them.

You can find out more about the wide variety of birds which use the Spen Valley Greenway at our bird walk on 9 June.”

Find out more about Sustrans events in Yorkshire on Facebook

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Success two years in a row at prestigious London Transport Awards

22 May 2019
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We were thrilled to see three projects we have worked on with the London Borough of Brent and the Royal Borough of Greenwich recognised at the London Transport Awards in March.

Congratulations to Brent for its Meeting the challenge initiative

Coming top in the Excellence in Cycling and Walking category at the London Transport Awards recognises Brent’s £5 million investment in cycling, walking and public realm schemes, successfully integrating active travel into its regeneration plans. We played an integral part in the borough’s success.

The borough asked us to carry out the detailed design for one of their major projects. The improvements created space for people to cycle on semi-segregated cycle lanes in Carlton Vale,  including four new bus stop bypasses and the first 10m-wide pedestrian crossings in the borough.

“ We’re extremely proud to have been able to support Brent and Greenwich in delivering their award-winning, transformative projects for their residents. It has been very rewarding to see their success in getting more people travelling by bike or on foot rather than by car, reducing emissions and creating a happier, healthier city for everyone. ”

- Matt Winfield, Sustrans Director Co-design

We also supported the borough in their work with residents, businesses and landowners to improve the streetscape and key junctions in Wembley town centre, creating a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. A key part of the design was to improve connections between the town centre and the new development around Wembley Park.

Behaviour change

To help families walk, cycle or scoot to school rather than drive, we worked with Brent to deliver Bike It Plus, its flagship schools behaviour change programme, developing a bespoke package of events and activities in 17 Brent schools.

Delivering positive results

Brent’s cycling strategy has resulted in a higher percentage of journeys made by bike than in all other outer London boroughs.

Our Bike It team makes a difference (2017-2018 academic year results): We trained 742 adults to ride bikes and trained 3,345 school pupils and under 15s. For three months, we worked with nine mothers who were previously unable to ride a bike. They can now ride confidently at Bikeability level 1. Our work with pupils at Convent Language School and the cycle club members at Preston Park has increased their cycle skills and confidence.

“  I have been working with Sustrans on schemes since 2015 and they have provided excellent support with the preliminary design, consultation and detailed design of both schemes as well as overall project management. They continuously demonstrated that they are willing to go the extra mile. ”

-  Adam Smith, Traffic Engineer, Highways and Infrastructure Service, Brent Council Great news for Greenwich’s work on the Thames Path

A Highly Commended recognition in the Excellence in Cycling and Walking category for Greenwich recognises the borough’s great work on the Thames Path, which completed a missing link for pedestrians and cyclists along National Cycle Network route 1 and Quietway 14. Sustrans project managed the work as Transport for London’s Quietway delivery agent, involving the construction of a new cantilever bridge alongside the Thames Path, blasting through a wall to open access to an industrial estate and negotiating permissions with landlords to complete the missing link.

The route is on Quietway 14 and also forms part of the iconic National Cycle Network 1, which goes from Dover through Greenwich to the Shetland Islands. The new route takes walkers and people on bikes away from the busy Woolwich Road along a traffic-free section on the Thames Path, making journeys more pleasant and shorter.

Transforming a local business’s environmental performance

Our work with Greenwich local traditional butcher, Drings, was recognised at the London Transport Awards, achieving a Highly Commended in the Contribution to Sustainable Transport category which included inspiring projects from all sectors.

The zero-emissions project for the Royal Borough of Greenwich saw Drings’ owner, Michael Jones, pit his usual diesel delivery van against a brand new e-cargo bike to see which was better for both the environment and for his business.

Our workplaces team, which works with businesses on environmentally-friendly travel options, commissioned e-cargo bike manufacturers Riese and Mueller to provide the bike. We trained four butchers to operate the bikes and identified the best routes to cycle, advising them on their delivery routes and our research team carried out a thorough analysis and evaluation.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich financed the pilot scheme through the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund and it is one of a number of cleaner air initiatives in the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Low Emissions Neighbourhood.

Find out more about our work in London. Read our latest London Review.

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Children in Scotland’s poorest areas nearly 3 times more likely to be injured by road traffic than those in the richest

22 May 2019

Walking and cycling charity, Sustrans Scotland has done analysis that highlights that children on foot or bike are more than 3 times as likely to be involved in a traffic accident in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland than the 20% least deprived areas. 

The findings will be presented at today’s (Wednesday 22nd) Scottish Transport Applications Research conference as part of a presentation entitled “Investing in cycling to tackle transport poverty and promote equity” by Sustrans Scotland Senior Policy Officer, Alex Quayle. 

Though it is well-established that there are more road traffic accidents in more deprived areas, this data looks at children travelling on foot or by bike only and maps clusters of accidents.  It also made a direct comparison between the most deprived and least deprived areas in Scotland.

Commenting on the analysis, Sustrans Scotland National Director, John Lauder said:

“This analysis shines a light on a ‘double injustice’ being done to Scotland’s poorest communities.  Firstly – communities are locked out of opportunities through transport poverty.  Secondly, children in those communities are at 3 times higher risk of death or injury while out walking or cycling – simply due to their postcode.

“We are calling on local authorities and government to implement more widespread high-quality infrastructure and slower speed streets to make children and young people safer, especially in Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas”.

Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance, one of Scotland’s leading anti-Poverty charities commented: “These figures from Sustrans are very concerning. We know that living on a low income can damage young lives in a variety of ways, impacting on health, education and future employment prospects. But there is a pressing need to better understand the precise reasons why children living in some parts of Scotland are more likely to be the victims of road traffic accidents.

“Whatever the reasons, we need to ensure that resources are made available to improve safety standards in communities across Scotland.”

Read Alex Quayle’s analysis of the data  Read more about our work in Scotland
 

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Cardiff Car Free Day: Sustrans calls for more

17 May 2019
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Travelling in an environment with no congestion or air pollution may seem like a far-fetched desire but Cardiff’s Car Free Day is proof that it doesn’t have to be.

Cardiff’s Car Free Day, which took place on 12 May, allowed people to experience what the city centre could look and feel like if active travel was prioritised over motor transport. People were encouraged to socialise, play and exercise in a space that is usually dominated by traffic, pollution and noise.

By taking over a part of the city that is normally taken up with cars, congestion and exhaust fumes, Cardiff city centre was transformed into a space where there was space to walk, cycle, scoot and enjoy the quiet, clean city.

“ We want to see the council pedestrianising the entire city centre, allowing access for busses and traders but essentially restricting cars from coming into the city centre. This will improve the environment for everyone and will make Cardiff a cleaner, healthier and better place to be. ”

- Steve Brooks, director of Sustrans Cymru.

Steve Brooks, director of Sustrans Cymru said:

“Over reliance on the car is damaging our health, harming our environment and hurting our economy.

“Events like Cardiff Car Free Day are fantastic, but we want to see more.

“Cardiff Council pedestrianised Queen Street in the 1970’s and we had to wait another thirty years for them to pedestrianise the High Street.

“We want to see the council pedestrianising the entire city centre, allowing access for busses and traders but essentially restricting cars from coming into the city centre. This will improve the environment for everyone and will make Cardiff a cleaner, healthier and better place to be.”  

Cardiff Council has been undertaking a detailed study into air quality across the city, and are rolling out a plan of work which will aim to bring the levels of air pollution within legal limits in the quickest time possible, this work is a result of a legal challenge by Client Earth.

Find out more and have your say 

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Record year for Big Pedal 2019 competition

17 May 2019

 Record number of children cycled, scooted and walked in a bid to ditch cars on the school run.  From Brighton to Inverness, dozens of schools organised School Streets, to ban cars and cut air pollution.  Sustrans says the competition helped grow awareness and called on national governments to enforce School Streets

This year’s Sustrans Big Pedal, the UK’s largest cycling, scooting and walking competition for schools, saw a record 3.8 million journeys made by bike, foot or scooter as children and parents ditched their cars for their journey to and from school.

The largest number of pupils took part in the 10-day challenge to date, with 559,629 participants walking, scooting or cycling the equivalent of 11.9 million miles – that’s 50 trips to the moon and back or 480 trips around the world.

Forty of the participating schools, working with Sustrans and their local authority, trialled School Streets where they closed their streets to motor vehicles during pick up and drop off times, to create a safer, car-free environment for families to cycle, walk and scoot. 

Overall the number of sustainable trips prevented 4.7 million car journeys, saving parents an estimated £1.6 million on petrol.

Xavier Brice, Sustrans for CEO, said: “This year’s Big Pedal saw the highest number of pupils and parents take part since we first launched the competition back in 2010. This is a fantastic achievement, which tells us that children want to cycle, scoot and walk to school.

“It also demonstrates there’s a growing public awareness of the effects of motor emissions and the role more walking and cycling can play in reducing them. But to make it easier for parents and pupils to continue travel by bike and foot, the roads outside schools need to feel safe. One of the best ways to do this is by making streets outside the school gates car free. 

“That’s why we are calling on national governments to support local authorities to enforce School Streets and implement clean air legislation to tackle motorised traffic, including large-scale investment in walking and cycling.”

Claudine Richardson, Bike It Champion at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College said: “We decided to take part in the Big Pedal this year as a survey of our students revealed that air pollution and congestion outside the school gate was a big concern.

“During the competition we saw a huge surge in the number of pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school and this has continued even after the challenge. It is fantastic to see the pupils come in so energised in the morning after a brisk walk or cycle.”

The 10-day challenge saw more than 1,682 schools take part in the competition.

The switch to an active journey to school burnt over 226 million calories in total, which is the equivalent of 936,704 donuts.

Currently almost a third (28%) of all children aged two to 15 in England are overweight or obese  and half of seven-year-olds are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity . Walking, scooting or cycling to school could play a key role in helping children get their recommended hour of physical activity a day and enable them to maintain a healthy weight.

Organised by Sustrans, and sponsored by Micro Scooters and Tonik Energy, the Big Pedal, which took place from 25 March to 5 April, is the largest inter-school cycling, walking and scooting competition of its kind in the UK.

Find out more about Big Pedal 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook 

 

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Bikes & Boats Fest in Ellesmere Port

16 May 2019

The popular ‘Bikes and Boats’ Festival inspired by Ellesmere Port’s bike carnivals of the 1900s, will be back on Sunday 26 May for the third year running.

The fun-packed day, which is organised by us and the National Waterways Museum, includes a decorated boat-themed bike ride from Whitby Park to the National Waterways Museum, with a send-off by Ellesmere Port brass band. There will also be a Mini Bikes & Boats in Whitby Park for youngsters on scooters and stabilisers.

The National Waterways Museum will offer free admission on the Festival day, with donkey rides from the Museum and a packed programme of bike and boat activities, including traditional swing boats, traditional games such as hook a duck, beat the buzzer, craft activities, hoola hooping and a quiz trail.

The National Cycle Museum will have a display of vintage bikes and there will be a competition for the best dressed bikes.  On Saturday 25 May, there will be a bike decorating workshop and a ‘Dr Bike’ session at the monthly community café in the National Waterways Museum to help get bikes ready to ride and ‘blinged’ up for the festival.

Our Community Street Designer, Ali Dore, said: “The Bikes and Boats Festival recreates the spirit of Ellesmere Port’s bike carnivals and celebrates the town’s rich boat heritage.

“The National Waterways Museum will offer free entry on the day and this year we’re excited to include old fashioned fairground swing boats and donkey rides, so it will be a fun day out for all the family!

"This is a great chance to try out cycling on the National Cycle Network through the town and along the canal. Please find us on facebook at Sustrans North West and sign up.”

We have been working with the local community in Ellesmere Port for three years to help identify ways to improve public spaces and encourage more walking and cycling. Route 563 of the National Cycle Network (NCN) links Ellesmere Port to the canal and the National Waterways Museum.

The Ellesmere Port Community Places project is based on a concept first developed on the streets of New York. Our community street designers use simple ideas such as pop-up outdoor cafes, plants and temporary art installations to calm roads and encourage people to reclaim the streets as public spaces for community events, walking and cycling.

Ellesmere Port Community Places project is funded by the Peoples’ Health Trust using money raised by HealthFit.

Make sure you register for the Bike and Boats event in Whitby Park.  Find out more about Sustrans Community Street design project in Ellesmere Port  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with Sustrans North West! 

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Isle of Man route plan launched

16 May 2019

The Isle of Man Government has launched an Active Travel Investment Plan, developed by us, to highlight priority routes for cycling and walking.

We were commissioned by the Isle of Man Government as part of a £3.8million Active Travel programme to boost the numbers of people cycling and walking to over 20% by 2021 (compared to 14% in 2011).

The plan, which was developed in partnership with local communities, focuses on a 2.5 mile radius of Douglas town centre with around 35% of the island’s population. It recommends the development of walking and cycling routes along the river valley and promenade, linking up new and existing routes between Douglas and the surrounding communities.

The proposed network will include the existing traffic-free Heritage Trail, which is currently being upgraded to a multi-user path. There will also be continued development of cycling on the promenade in Douglas, with improved links to adjoining roads.

We highlighted the need for a major cycling route through Douglas towards Noble’s Park, leading to Onchan, as well as smaller measures, such as traffic calming, improved signage, dropped kerbs and pedestrian crossings, to make it easier for more people to walk and cycle.

Rosslyn Colderley, our Director in the North of England, said: “The Active Travel Investment Plan is the start of an exciting journey to help make it easier for more people to walk and cycle on the Isle of Man. We have assessed the road networks and communities around Douglas to find out the areas where we can have the most impact to increase travel by foot or bicycle. Now the next stage is to discuss our proposed routes and facilities with local people, work with them to tackle any issues on the ground and help inspire long term change to active travel.”

The Isle of Man Government launched the island’s first Active Travel Strategy in July last year.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said: “A lot of work has taken place since Sustrans were commissioned last year to use their experience and expertise in this area and produce an Active Travel Investment Plan.

“This document highlights the most effective way to enable people in and around Douglas to walk and cycle to work and school. A number of routes have been identified and prioritised and will inform how funds should be committed to make effective changes to the way we move around.”

Research for the plan included workshops and discussions with local community groups and computer modelling work to assess peoples’ ‘propensity to cycle’, assessing the area’s topography, numbers of commuter journeys between key locations, and existing levels of active travel commuting. The plan is based on the UK Department for Transport’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans which help foster a long term approach in increasing walking and cycling for travel.

The next steps include further engagement with local communities to help identify current barriers to people travelling actively to work and school. As part of the Active Travel programme, we have also appointed two new officers who will work directly with local businesses, schools and communities to encourage more people to travel by foot or bicycle.

Find out more about our work on the Isle of Man or visit either www.gov.im/doi or www.facebook.com/iominfrastructure

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Belcycle is back! Belfast’s cycling festival returns to CS Lewis Square

13 May 2019

Belcycle is back!  Belfast’s family-friendly festival dedicated to all things cycling will take place on Saturday 15 June at CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. Be inspired to get on your bike – whatever your age or ability and join in the FREE festival.

There will be bikes of all shapes and sizes to test ride on the day including tandems, a side- by-side bike and balance bikes. You can join in activities such as children’s cycle training, including the ever-popular ‘Ditch the Stabilisers’ sessions. There will also be bike maintenance workshops to help you deal with punctures, as well as led rides, giant outdoor games and a slow bike race!

Pick up advice and tips from local cycling retailers on bikes, clothing and accessories, as well as information on cycling adventures, holidays, clubs and events. There will be lots of competitions and spot prizes and no festival would be complete without some tasty food and refreshments including a BBQ.     

Ashley Hunter, Sustrans Northern Ireland Director said: “This is a fun festival for all the family focusing on cycling. Leisure and commuting cycling has increased across Belfast with more people realising not only the health and environmental benefits of cycling but also how convenient, cheap and fun it is to travel by bike.

“We know that 71% of residents say Belfast would be a better place to live and work if more people cycled which is why our work to encourage more people to cycle is so important. Events like Belcycle bring people together, to celebrate all things cycling [1].”

CS Lewis Square is the ideal location for the festival as it is where the Comber and Connswater Community Greenways intersect. The square is also home to Sustrans Active Travel Hub, an EU-funded CHIPS project that encourages commuters in east Belfast to try alternatives to the car such as public transport, or cycling and walking.  Sustrans will be at the Festival to offer travel advice, route planning, cycle training and fun pedal-powered activities such as a bike smoothie-maker and paint-spinner.

So bring your family, friends and a picnic for a free fun-filled day that will keep the whole family entertained.

Belcycle will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 15 June at CS Lewis Square, east Belfast. There will be provision of on-site cycle parking and it is well connected to the city centre by bus or Glider from the nearby Newtownards Road. For more updates to go www.sustrans.org.uk/belcycle

[1]Bike Life 2017 Report, produced by Sustrans and the Department for Infrastructure

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Wales catching up with Scotland: Sustrans welcomes further funding boost for green transport

9 May 2019

Sustrans Cymru has today (9th May 2019) welcomed an announcement from Welsh Government that there will be an increase in active travel funding in Wales. 

Sustrans have been calling for a long term investment plan in active travel and welcome today’s announcement.  The charity has previously warned that Wales was under investing in walking and cycle, and compared the slow pace of progress in Wales against spending in Scotland where £16 per person per year is invested. 

However, last year, Welsh Government announced an extra £60million over three years to improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists – a move warmly welcomed by Sustrans.

“ “Wales’ over reliance on the car is damaging our health, harming our environment and hurting our economy.  Sustrans is delighted to see further investment which will fix pavements, make crossings safer and build new cycle paths separated from traffic.” ”

- Steve Brooks, Director of Sustrans Cymru.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Steve Brooks director of Sustrans Cymru said:

“Wales’ over reliance on the car is damaging our health, harming our environment and hurting our economy.  Sustrans is delighted to see further investment which will fix pavements, make crossings safer and build new cycle paths separated from traffic. 

“Whilst money is important, it’s not the only answer.  We need to ensure that this additional investment is spent wisely.  We know that when councils cut corners and roll out quick fixes, it’s pedestrians and cyclists who suffer.  That’s why we welcome Lee Waters’ emphasis on funding quality schemes.”

ENDS

For more info please contact: Sara Jones sara.jones@sustrans.org.uk or 07376365222

Find out more about our work in Wales

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20’s plenty: Sustrans backs Welsh Government review of residential speed limits

8 May 2019

Sustrans Cymru has welcomed an announcement from Welsh Government that speed limits on Welsh residential streets will be reviewed. In a question from Welsh Conservative AM David Melding, the first minister Mark Drakeford announced a special Welsh Government taskforce would be set up with local councils to look at how 20 mph zones could be rolled out in residential areas.

Sustrans welcomed the cross party support in the Assembly and urged ministers to press on with its plans. Sustrans supports lowering the default speed limit on urban streets to 20mph, arguing the move would make Welsh roads safer.

Currently the default speed limit on streets in built-up areas is 30mph, and last year powers to alter the rules were devolved to Wales. Campaigners, including Sustrans, have called on ministers to use their news powers and implement a lower, safer speed limit in Welsh towns and cities.

“ Sustrans warmly welcomes the cross-party support for the Welsh Government review. Evidence shows that where lower speed limits have been introduced, there has been a significant fall in road causalities. ”

- Steve Brooks, National Director Wales, UK Policy & Public Affairs Director.

Welcoming the news, Steve Brooks, director of Sustrans Cymru said:

“The thought of your child being hit by a car is every parent’s nightmare, yet we know we could make Welsh roads safer if we reduce the speed limit on our residential streets.

“The grim reality is that if you’re hit by a driver travelling at 30mph you’re 5 times more likely to die than if the driver was going at 20 [1]. That’s why the government’s own independent public health advisors back this move”.

“Sustrans warmly welcomes the cross-party support for the Welsh Government review. Evidence shows that where lower speed limits have been introduced, there has been a significant fall in road causalities. A recent study in Bristol showed a 40% drop in casualties, with the biggest fall amongst the number of children being killed or seriously injured.” .

Notes to editors

1. Rosén, E. et al. (2011) ‘Literature review of pedestrian fatality risk as a function of car impact speed’, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 43: 25-33.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Sara Jones on sara.jones@sustrans.org.uk or 07376 365 222

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Sustrans relocates London office to Tower Hamlets by Cargo Bike

8 May 2019
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We have relocated our London offices from Farringdon to Tower Hamlets. This is a significant and exciting change for our development as we focus on our strategic objectives including an overhaul of the National Cycle Network.

Cargo bikes are the way to go

With London-based company, Pedal Me, we carefully stacked the bike trailers, securing them tightly for the journey to our new home.

We moved all equipment and belongings for our 53 strong London-based workforce sustainably, a distance of 2.7 miles across the capital. Using electric cargo bikes we transported a117kg printer, 100 storage boxes, 50 crates full of IT equipment, three cupboards and two smoothie bikes.

Working with Tower Hamlets

Our move brings a significant brand to the borough along with a committed and experienced team who focuses on making streets better for everyone, and making it easier for people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.

Relocating to Tower Hamlets builds on our strong relationship with the borough over many years of working together. Tower Hamlets is the first London Borough to take part in our Bike Life study, the UK’s largest programme of research into attitudes to cycling across the country. The borough also works with us on initiatives to make streets safer and encourage cycling and walking for everyday journeys within schools, creating young cycling ambassadors throughout the borough.

Pushing for change and a healthier, happier city

We have a long history of pushing the political and social agenda for change and founded the 16,000 mile National Cycle Network in 1995. In London, we work with London boroughs, Transport for London (TfL), the Mayor of London as well as community groups, schools and businesses to build a healthier, happier city where people choose to leave their car at home and walk or cycle instead.

Recent achievements we are proud to have been part of in London are; helping deliver 110km of Quietways cycling and walking routes as Transport for London’s delivery agent, unlocking huge potential in Bromley for liveable neighbourhood funding, working on ambitious cycling and walking designs with Greenwich, and launching a London-wide action plan to improve the National Cycle Network.

Matt Winfield, Sustrans London Director, said:

“We’re delighted to have moved to Tower Hamlets, a borough with great potential for cycling and walking. Our office move here using cargo bikes just goes to prove it is possible to relocate the contents of a sizeable workplace in a busy capital city like London, in a way that is environmentally sound.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our exciting work, empowering communities across London to create happier places.”

The charity’s move is welcomed by Tower Hamlets, complementing their own commitment to walking and cycling.

Cllr Kyrsten Perry, Tower Hamlets Cycling Champion said:

“It’s fantastic that Sustrans has chosen Tower Hamlets to be its new home. We welcome the charity with open arms as a major player in making London a place that is safer and healthier to travel around by bike and on foot. 

“We know Sustrans well, having worked with them on projects that make streets work better for everyone and in schools across the borough, where they help get children thinking about air quality, health and being more active in their daily lives. We’re also very excited and proud to be the first London borough to be part of Sustrans’ Bike Life initiative, the UK’s biggest survey on attitudes to cycling.

“We, as a council, have lots to look forward to as we continue to work with Sustrans in borough and I am sure Sustrans’ London team will enjoy being part of their new local community with all the vibrancy that Tower Hamlets has to offer.”

Get in touch

We’re now at 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9DA.

You don’t have to use petrol or diesel power to move an office. Get in touch and we can work with you on how to move with pedal power.

Tel: 020 7017 2350
Email: london@sustrans.org.uk

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Sustrans response to UK Parliament’s environment and climate emergency declaration

2 May 2019

On Wednesday 1 May 2019 MPs passed a motion making the UK Parliament declare an “environment and climate emergency”.

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Andy Cope, Director of Insight at Sustrans, said:

“We are very pleased Parliament has declared an environment and climate emergency.

“This calls for urgent and quick action on carbon emissions, including transport, which is the only sectoral source from which emissions continue to grow.

“This declaration by Parliament is a major opportunity to increase walking and cycling and reduce the car use to achieve its zero-carbon target.

“Energy consumption and emissions from transport are influenced not only by technical efficiency, mode choice and but also by lifestyle choices and socio-economic factors.

“To make it easy and attractive for people across the UK to choose active and cleaner ways to travel for everyday journeys, we need cross-government action and large-scale investment in walking and cycling.”

See our evidence submission to a Scottish Oarliament Commission on Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill

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Honour for Harrogate volunteer

1 May 2019

One of our long standing volunteers in Harrogate has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to cycling.

Malcolm Margolis attended the medal presentation on 9 April with his wife Gia, at Camp Hill, the home of the current Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, who presented him with the award.

He was one of seven award recipients to attend the ceremony, which was followed by afternoon tea and cakes with Jo Ropner, who is herself a keen cycling advocate.

Malcolm has been a volunteer since 2006 and was instrumental in campaigns to develop the Nidderdale Greenway, from Harrogate to Ripley. The popular five-mile traffic-free cycling and walking route runs from North Harrogate, through Bilton,  Ripley and Clint and links to the Way of the Roses.

He worked tirelessly to attract support for the route from local businesses, councils and communities and continues to support us to develop the route a further 22 miles as far as Scar House reservoir, helping raise £17,000 so we could conduct a feasibility study. He is currently campaigning against plans to develop two bypasses which will cut through the Nidderdale Greenway and the wildlife-rich Nidd Gorge.

Malcolm also founded the Harrogate-based cycling group Wheel Easy, with Gia, and he has been a long term campaigner to develop cycle routes on The Stray, a 200-acre park in the centre of Harrogate, where cycling was forbidden.  He is an active member of the Harrogate District Cycle Forum.

Malcolm says: “It was a huge honour to receive the medal along with six other champions of their local communities, and a wonderful ceremony which my wife Gia and I will never forget. A big surprise was to discover that the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, who presented our medals, cycles around 5,000 miles a year, including tough challenges in the UK, and stages of the Tour de France. Altogether, an impressive lady!”

Mike Babbitt, Head of Network Development for Sustrans for the North of England said: “Malcolm is a fantastic advocate of walking and cycling for Harrogate and his efforts have been invaluable to our work. He helped us and local authority partners to develop routes and garnered support from a wide range of people.

“He is a very positive and tenacious individual who has inspired many people about the value of active travel and he continues to campaign tirelessly. If you visit the Nidderdale Greenway look out for the portrait bench which features Malcolm, as part of our series of artworks along the National Cycle Network celebrating local people.”

Interested in volunteering with us? Find out more about our volunteer programme.

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