15 years and 12600 miles

Happy Birthday National Cycle Network

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

On September 11, 2010 the National Cycle Network celebrates its 15th Anniversary. The Network is the flagship project for Sustrans - the sustainable transport charity behind its creation and development.

The National Cycle Network was officially launched on September 11, 1995 when it received £43.5million from the National Lottery Millennium Commission the check for which rock legend Meatloaf handed over on national television.

To-date the Network now extends over 12,600 miles and carries 1 million walking and cycling journeys every single day.

There are now more miles of National Cycle Network routes in the UK than there are of motorways, and the Network is the most widespread construction project since the building of the motorways and the Network passes within 1 mile of over 57% of the population.

Per mile an average motorway costs a staggering £29.9 million (Hansard, 30 October 2006), whereas the National Cycle Network costs around £45,000 per mile to build – not only more sustainable but cheaper too.

Urban traffic routes account for only 26% of the Network but carry an astonishing three quarters of all trips – showing that the Network is a key way that people make local everyday journeys.

Almost 3000 volunteers help Sustrans maintain and promote the Network.

But we do not just need a network such as this; we need safe cycle routes along each and every major street and traffic calming on the side street in order to make cycling a safe option of alternative transportation.

Then again, once the cheap oil has come to an end, which could be sooner rather than later, the street should be rather safe for cyclists anyway, as motorists will then very few and far between. Fifteen to twenty pounds a gallon of gas will see to that very soon and I can see bicycle mechanics being very busy as people will be dusting off their old bikes that have been sitting in their garages, sheds and attacks for years and year.

So, once again “Happy Birthday, National Cycle Network”!

© 2010

Re-inventing the wheel…

…the man behind the Brompton bicycle talks about 35 years of the folding bike revolution

'The Genius of the Brompton Fold': An Evening with Andrew Ritchie will be held on Wednesday 1st Septemper 2010 at The Gallery, 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (Farringdon Tube). Doors open 6pm, Talk begins at 6.30pm. Refreshments are available.

Tickets for this event are £7 - all proceeds going to Sustrans - www.sustransshop.co.uk [Code: RG188] - or phone 0845 113 0065 during office hours

Andrew Ritchie, a Cambridge Engineering graduate and inventor of the Brompton bicycle, will be giving a talk at The Gallery in London on 1st September on his own personal story of how he invented the bicycle that was ahead of its time.

Andrew was working as a landscape gardener in London when, in 1975, he conceived the idea for a folding bike. He has guided the Brompton Bicycle Company from its initial production facility in a railway arch to become the largest bicycle manufacturer in the UK producing 26,000 bikes per year and the last transport manufacturer of any kind based in London. Thirty five years later and Bromptons are sold in 33 countries worldwide.

This informal evening is a chance to hear the story behind Andrew's invention in his own words and how it has helped transform the potential for everyday sustainable travel in the UK.

Sustrans is the UK 's leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK 's transport challenges.

This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 11 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.

Sustrans is calling on UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020.

for more information and to download a copy of the call to action visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/call-to-action-for-2020

Please consider attending this even to sponsor, so to speak, Sustrans and with it a new future in the UK for cycling and walking and for sustainable transport.

Michael Smith (Veshengro) © 2010

Summer cyclists reminded to avoid closed route between Airdrie and Bathgate

Cyclists are being reminded that a popular traffic-free route between Airdrie and Bathgate is closed, as an increasing number of people pedal to a dead-end.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has received calls from cyclists attempting to get onto the former 14-mile route, which ran along a disused railway line.

The railway path formed part of the National Cycle Network Route 75 – a cross-Scotland route linking the Clyde Coast with the Firth of Forth – until last October when it closed as part of a £300 million project to reopen the railway.

Katharine Taylor, National Cycle Network Development Manager for Sustrans Scotland, said: “It is great to see more and more people getting out on their bikes. But because this is the first summer since the route between Airdrie and Bathgate closed, it is catching people out – seemingly anyone from day-trippers to experienced cyclists on a long-distance challenge.

“This route was extremely popular so we’d like to remind them once again that it is now blocked off rather than let people make a wasted journey or face a lengthy detour. We are putting up signs in Airdrie and Bathgate to let people know about the closure, but are unable to sign the whole diversion, so advise people to check the alternative routes suggested on our website before setting out.”

Network Rail will construct a new path close to the original Airdrie and Bathgate route, which is scheduled for completion in December 2010.

Sustrans recommends cyclists and walkers use the towpaths of the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals as a cross-Scotland route. The canals are set to become Route 754 of the National Cycle Network.

The charity has also posted details of an alternative route to the south for walkers and cyclists during the route closure on an enhanced version of its online mapping at www.sustrans.org.uk

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Free maps to help tackle childhood obesity in Luton

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Youngsters in schools across Luton are being handed free maps to encourage them to walk and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle.

Actions such as this, I must say, are not before time. The present idea of parents to take the children to school and back from school by car, often even SUVs, does not help the children nor the environment. The parents too could walk with their children, and not only to and from school.

Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, has launched the first in a series of three Active Travel maps for Luton.

The campaign started in South Luton and Farley, which the NHS Luton Obesity Management team has targeted as a key area for its high numbers of overweight children.

Sarah Leeming, Sustrans’ Active Travel Coordinator, said: “The number of children who are overweight or obese in Luton is higher than the national average so it is vital that children, parents and teachers know the benefits of becoming active.

“Children who walk or cycle to school can easily get the recommended levels of physical activity they need by taking part in other fun games and activities.

“The Active Travel map will really help families plan their route to school and inform parents about the health benefits of walking and cycling.”

The map includes details of two Park and Stride schemes which parents can use on the school run to make sure their children walk part of their journey to and from school. There is also information on health walks through areas of natural and historical interest such as Kidney Wood Heritage Trail.

The map has been produced with Luton Borough Council, local schools and community groups and will be distributed via a number of schools in the Farley area.
Children at Hillborough Infant and Junior schools have already taken part in a Stride/Ride and Stamp scheme by walking and cycling to enter a win a bike competition during Walk to School Week, which starts on May 18th.

Mandy Silvester, Family Worker for Hillborough Infant School, said: “The school suffers with significant congestion problems and working with Sustrans has given us a great opportunity to re-launch our Park and Stride scheme from Stockwood Park. The children are really excited about the prize draw and this, together with the Active Travel map, sends an important health message home to the parents.”

Sustrans and Luton Borough Council School Travel Planning team will monitor the impact the initiatives have on walking and cycling rates.

It is time, and I will reiterate this again, that children (with a parent or guardian, if need be) walk to school or cycle, rather than be taken there by motorcar. This just is a non-sustainable affair and harms the health of the children (and parents) as well as the environment.

The great majority of the British population relies too much on the car for everything. It is as if they just have become incapable of walking more than in and around their home and, maybe, around inside stores when shopping.

To go anywhere more than a few yards they seem to have to get into their cars and go there, even to get a newspaper (and why get a newspaper anyway if you can get all the news online, including the stuff from your newspapers) of a pint of milk at the corner store.

Children seem to get the same type of values installed into them and they go to the park for instance, being driven there from just around the corner, by a parent or such, only to go for a few yards to then complain that they are tired.

We must get them out into the countryside, even if it is but the local parks, to at least walk if not also cycle, etc.

For further information contact the Luton Active Travel team 01582 732919, email activelives@sustrans.org.uk or visit www.sustrans.org.uk/activetravelluton and for other information regarding the activities of Sustrans see the website www.sustrans.org.uk

© 2009
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Sustrans helps workers save money and stay healthy

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Employers can now pick up a step by step guide to improving their workforce’s health and productivity by encouraging staff to walk or cycle to work.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans on Monday, April 27, 2009, launched its Active Travel workplace toolkit to coincide with the first ever Walk to Work Week.

The toolkit highlights tried and tested staff travel plans at selected hospitals, superstores, business parks and councils across the UK.

The plans have seen new and novice cyclists take part in cycle training, team up with more experienced cycling colleagues on their journey to work and buy their own bike in a tax free scheme.

Rachel Bromley, Sustrans Active Travel Co-ordinator, said: “Many UK employers now recognise the benefits – to staff and to the business – of encouraging staff to commute in more active ways. The toolkit is packed with clear and up-to-date information, including best practice case studies and ‘how-to’s’ that simplify all the issues involved.

“Physical activity, including walking and cycling, can help reduce sickness absence, improve morale, and increase productivity.”

Lisa Brannan, Project Manager for Leeds UTravelActive, has helped provide new cycle storage and showers among other measures at the city’s universities.

She said: “Walking or cycling to work is one of the easiest ways for staff and students to achieve the daily recommended 30 minutes of activity to benefit their health.

“But it can also be much quicker than driving and journey times don’t vary with traffic.”
An information campaign was launched at Singleton hospital in Swansea to encourage staff to try out walking and cycling, after a travel survey identified more than 100 workers who drove to work lived within two miles.

Joanna Davies, Deputy Director of Planning at ABMU NHS Trust West, said: “Investing money on walking and cycling infrastructure and staff facilities has increased the number of people actively commuting to work.

“We consider this investment excellent value for money and are keen to make similar improvements at our other sites.”

Sustrans’ toolkit includes evidence of the need for active travel. During 2007, 172 million days were lost to the British economy due to sickness at a cost of £20 billion to the business and public sector. Currently only 40% of men and 28% of women are reasonably active.

The toolkit - which can be ordered or downloaded at www.activetravel.org.uk/toolkit - sets out how other organisations have encouraged staff to travel actively to work including Leeds University, Singleton Hospital, Stirling Council and B&Q.

Walking or cycling not only removes vehicles off the road it also benefits the individual in that he or she gets the much needed exercise they often do not get when working in offices. It also saves money; money otherwise so often spent on going to the Gym. So, you can look at it as a win/win situation.

The same we must encourage our children and young people to do, namely walking or cycling to school, in groups if need be. The school run in SUVs must become a thing of the past.

Our children would benefit immensely too as they would lose some pounds for sure and they might escape that way the trap of obesity.

© 2009
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Sustrans celebrates ten years of volunteers

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Sustrans, the UK 's leading sustainable transport charity, is celebrating the ten year anniversary of its Volunteer Rangers and appealing for more people to come forward and help make a real difference to their local cycling and walking routes.

The first Volunteer Rangers began helping the sustainable transport charity in 1999. Ten years on, there are now around 2,500 volunteers giving their time, which amounts to a grand total of 140,000 hours of work every year at a value of almost £1.5million!

Calculated using the Volunteering England 2007 median hourly wage of £10.14 per hour. For every pound that Sustrans invests in its volunteers, three pounds worth of benefits are returned through the work that volunteers carry out.

But, as the National Cycle Network continues to grow - it currently covers more than 12,000 miles across the UK - more people are needed to help maintain and promote it.

Tony Ambrose, Sustrans Volunteer Programme Manager, said: 'A decade of dedication from our Volunteer Rangers is a huge achievement, well worth celebrating. It's the perfect opportunity to say thank you to all those that have given their time during the last ten years, and encourage more people to get involved.

'With the help of volunteers, Sustrans has managed to create and improve a vast network for healthy and environmentally-friendly travel. It's a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit people across the UK for many years to come.'

Volunteer Rangers give an average of four to five hours a month to check on their local section of the National Cycle Network, by bike or on foot, and make it more pleasant and safe for everyone who uses it.

Ranger tasks can involve anything from clearing overgrown plants and branches, putting up route markers or organising litter-picks, to leading guided walks and bike rides for the public.
Rupert Douglas has been a Volunteer Ranger on National Route 7 near Penrith in Cumbria since the very beginning. He said: 'During my ten years as a Volunteer Ranger I've seen the Sea to Sea route in Cumbria grow enormously in popularity.

'It's a great feeling knowing that I'm helping to maintain and improve the route for both local people and visitors to enjoy.'

The National Cycle Network runs within 2 miles of 75 per cent of the UK population, and is increasingly well-used, with more than 354 million trips made on it in 2007.

To find out more about the Volunteer Ranger opportunities in your area, call 0117 9150110, email volunteers-uk@sustrans.org.uk or visit www.sustrans.org.uk and click on 'Support Sustrans'.

© 2009
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Sustrans aims to treble cycling across schools in Cheshunt

The UK ’s leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans is set to launch the highly acclaimed Bike It project across Cheshunt . Around 1500 pupils from five schools across the borough will be encouraged to saddle up as they welcome their new Bike It Officer, Bart Smith. This unique project works with over 400 schools across England and Wales to encourage children and young people to choose two wheels instead of four for the school journey.

Bart will be working directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school – by organising cycle training, helping to install new bike sheds, contributing to classroom work and providing information about safe routes to schools.

Sustrans Bike It Officer, Bart Smith said: “It is great to be involved with a groundbreaking project such as Bike It. The enthusiasm of the staff and pupils at all the schools I am working with has been tremendous and I am sure we can work together to treble cycling levels over the coming years.

“Cycling to school has so many benefits for pupils such as improved health, confidence and concentration as well as the obvious benefits for the environment in which they will grow up in. We know from our research that 47% of children would like to cycle to school when only 2% currently do - there’s an enormous potential for increasing cycling levels across the borough.”

Stuart Pile, Hertfordshire County Council's Executive Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said: "Hertfordshire County Council is pleased to be working with Sustrans on this new Bike it project as it will encourage healthier, greener and safer journeys to school. Our work with Sustrans on the first Hertfordshire Bike it in St Albans has resulted in more young people using their bikes to get to school and we hope the same will be true in Cheshunt."

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Nationally the project is funded by Cycling England, and the cycle industry through the Bike Hub, locally Bike It is supported by Hertfordshire County Council.

Staff, parents and teachers who are interested in promoting cycling and walking in their school are encouraged to call the Sustrans School Travel Team on 0117 915 0100 for free information and advice.

Source: Sustrans
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Tower Hamlets school pupils race to a healthy life

Sustrans, the UK ’s leading sustainable transport charity and Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust have joined forces to bring a week long programme of cycling activities in a bid to get the borough’s children fit and healthy. Over 880 pupils at Stepney Green pupils have been taking part in an inspirational week to encourage more and more pupils to cycle to school. The week involved a series of events including: mountain bike training, BMX stunt shows and a static bike race. Children have also been learning about the benefits of cycling for their health and the environment in classroom sessions.

Sustrans Bike It Officer James Scott said: “This week has acted as a great way to get as many pupils as possible saddling up as we approach spring time. Over the week we got around 800 pupils on their bikes. I hope this week will mean pupils have been inspired to keep cycling to school. We know that 47% of children would like to cycle to school and currently only 2% actually do, this means we have a huge potential to increase cycling levels across Tower Hamlets.

“Cycling to school has so many benefits for pupils such as improved health, confidence and concentration as well as the obvious benefits for the environment in which they will grow up in.”

The Bike It project works with over 400 schools and over 60,000 children and young people across England and Wales . It works directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school – by organising cycle training, helping to install new bike sheds, contributing to classroom work and providing information about safe routes to schools. Participating schools across England have seen levels of cycling treble within a year– bucking the trend in declining numbers of children cycling to school.

There are 10 schools in the Borough of Tower Hamlets that are taking part in the Sustrans Bike It project. Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Nationally the project is funded by Cycling England, and the cycle industry through the Bike Hub, locally Bike It is funded by Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust.

Source: Sustrans
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Sustrans explores the sex factor

Visit Sustrans at the Vitality Show 26 - 29 March, 2009

Closing the gender gap in cycling will not only help to improve women's health but could also boost their bank balances. Sustrans will be at this year's Vitality Show at Earls Court 2 (26 - 29 March), to show women how.

Research from Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, shows that 79 per cent of British women don't cycle at all1, but taking to two wheels could significantly improve their health and wellbeing.

Sustrans' Kate Jones will be at the tenth annual Vitality Show this year, which is the UK 's largest health, beauty, fitness, healthy-eating and wellbeing event for women.

Kate said: 'Cycling is a great way for women to get in shape and stay in shape. It can be incorporated into the daily routine - cycling to work or to the shops instead of driving, for instance - and regular cyclists can expect to be as fit as an average person ten years younger!'

To try and redress the gender imbalance in cycling, www.bikebelles.org.uk has been launched by Sustrans this month. The brand new website includes information specifically for women on how to start cycling, what to wear and where to go.

As well as bringing fitness benefits, cycling can be a money-saver too. Over a lifetime, the average woman will spend a staggering £150,164 in their bid to lose weight and shape-up2 through things like gym membership and weight-loss products. But, keeping and maintaining a bike costs an average of just £75 a year, a fraction of keeping a car.

Kate continued: 'Cycling is a cheap, zero-carbon method of travel and there's no need to invest in special clothes or equipment - a bike is all anyone needs to get started!'

All visitors to the Sustrans stand at the Vitality Show will have the chance to win a brand new £569 Diva ladies Dutch bike in lilac, complete with bell, lock, lights and a basket, donated by Littlehampton Dutch Bike Shop.

To find out more about visiting the Vitality Show, visit www.thevitalityshow.co.uk or for more information about Sustrans' work please visit www.sustrans.org.uk

Source: Sustrans
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Sustrans offers free training for schools across Midlothian to help tackle the school run

Pupils, teachers, parents and school representatives from across Midlothian will come together at Lasswade High School for a free day of training on Tuesday 24th March. The focus of the day will be to help boost healthy school travel across the region – and there are still places left!

The School Travel Plan Action Day has been organised by sustainable transport charity Sustrans and is one of a series taking place across Scotland through March to help school champions learn more about promoting healthy and environmentally-friendly travel to and from school.

The free training, supported by the Scottish Government, is designed to help schools proactively tackle the school run, promote walking and cycling as a healthy and fun way to get to classes, and find out more about creating and implementing a School Travel Plan.

Cecilia Oram, Sustrans’ School Travel Project Officer for Scotland , said: “Sustrans has been working with schools throughout Scotland for over 10 years so we have lots of experience in helping make school travel more healthy and environmentally-friendly.

Currently the school run accounts for a fifth of all traffic on the roads every morning and obesity levels in the UK continue to rise with 25% of 11 to 15 year olds being overweight or obese. It is vital that we address these issues by tackling the increasingly car-dependent school run in Scotland and encourage parents, teachers and children to take to two wheels, two feet or use public transport to travel to and from classes. These free training days will give representatives the knowledge and skills they need to champion green and healthy travel in their schools.”

Cllr Russell Imrie, Midlothian ’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Services said: “Midlothian Council is working proactively to try to reduce unnecessary car use, encourage healthy and sustainable travel options and increase safety for children getting to and from school. This free training event will provide an excellent opportunity for individuals who have been involved with successful local initiatives such as walking buses, infant road safety training and the Park Smart campaign to share their knowledge and experiences with pupils, parents and school staff.”

Source: Sustrans
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Could car-free Welsh streets be the answer to growing child health problems?

Car-free housing developments could become part of the solution to childhood obesity in Wales - a debate by Assembly Government Ministers, building contractors and architects have been considering on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.

Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, chairrf the debate set up by Play Wales, the national organisation for children’s play, and sustainable transport charity Sustrans, to discuss ways of reversing the decline of children’s activity levels.

Heavy snowfall postponed the original meeting on 3 February, appropriately leaving many vehicles immobile and giving children the chance to claim back their streets for play.

Sustrans Director Lee Waters said: “The heavy snow that postponed this debate first time around was a very real demonstration of how, when cars are taken off the roads, children take the opportunity to play freely outdoors, socialise with friends and neighbours, and connect with their surroundings. This is precisely the vision we have for a network of car-free streets in Wales .”

New research has shown that between 1973 and 2006, the proportion of children playing out on the streets fell from 75 per cent to 15 per cent*, and this inactivity is part of a growing obesity problem among young people in Wales .

One in five thirteen-year-olds in Wales is overweight or obese, and Welsh children have some of the highest body mass indexes in the World, according to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Lee continued; “The lack of opportunity for children to play safely in their own street is contributing to an obesity epidemic which puts Wales near the top of the world’s fat league tables.

“Too many urban areas are clogged by traffic when they could be safe public spaces where children can play safely outside their front doors and travel independently.”

The event will hear from Millennium Centre architect Jonathan Adams of Capita Percy Thomas and representatives from groups including the South Wales Highway Development Control Forum and building contractor Leadbitter.

Sustrans and Play Wales will call on planning authorities to lead the UK in creating housing which gives a high quality of life for all its residents, particularly children and young people.

Play Wales Assistant Director Marianne Mannello said: “Time after time children tell us that they prefer to play outside with their friends than anywhere else – it is time that we adults heard and responded to what they have to say. Where children feel they can play out there is a sense of community and vibrancy that benefits everyone – let’s take steps to make every community a play-friendly place.”

The debate will take place in Ty Hywel in Cardiff Bay at 6pm, and follows on from calls by Assembly Members to urgently address the shortage of affordable housing in Wales.

Source: Sustrans
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Get fit, save money, turn the clock back 10 years - what's the secret?

With many women spending vast amounts of money trying to lose weight, it seems we are still rejecting the cheapest, most efficient way of reaching target weight and shaping up - cycling.

Research from sustainable transport charity Sustrans shows that in spite of high profile women such as Duffy, Hannah Montana and Madonna taking to two wheels - the majority of women, 79%, are coming up with a variety of reasons why cycling's not for them, with less that one in ten women cycling more than once a month. Something that Sustrans is keen to change.

Concerns for safety rank high amongst women's reasons but, ironically, so does a lack of fitness and motivation.

Age is also a factor with 17 per cent of women considering themselves too old to cycle, this compares dramatically to the Netherlands where women over 65 ride three times the distance of 19 year old British men.

The research, commissioned from BMRB, shows that whilst women aged 35-44 are the most likely to cycle, (and are cycling 50% more than many women half their age in the 15-24 age group), even 69 percent of this age group never cycle despite 68% of them having access to a bike. Women in the South West of England and Wales are most likely to cycle (with the weather and hills not putting them off). While women are cycling the least in Scotland and the North West (where one in five women thought they were too old to cycle).

Melissa Henry, Sustrans' Communications Director, underlines the reasons for the campaign: "Getting on a bike brings many benefits. Cycling raises your metabolic rate, helping the weight to stay off; it costs a fraction of keeping a car or even a gym membership; and regular cyclists are as fit as an average person ten years younger."

Many men are already feeling the benefit cycling much more than women, with around eight per cent travelling by bike every day.

This year Sustrans would like to help women redress the cycling gender imbalance with activities designed to get more women on their bikes.

A new website www.bikebelles.org.uk went live on Wednesday 11 March with information on getting cycling, what to wear, where to go and how to do it. Cycling celebrities including Dawn Porter and Alice Roberts are lending their support, and a specially recruited women's panel who range from non to fair-weather cyclists will share ideas and experiences, try out bike training, and "road test" cycling products such as lights, bags and clothing. Sustrans will also be organising female-friendly cycle rides in the summer using traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network.

Later in the year Sustrans will use the thoughts and concerns of women, gathered throughout the year, to inform its approach to UK governments with proposals on how to help more women get out and about on bikes, to the benefit of their health, the environment and, ultimately, our economy.

Source: Sustrans
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City of Edinburgh offers free training for Edinburgh schools to help tackle the school run

Pupils, teachers, parents and school representatives from secondary schools across Edinburgh will come together at the Apex International Hotel for a free day of training on Thursday 12th March. The focus of the day will be to help boost healthy school travel across the city.

The School Travel Plan Action Day, which includes representatives from PP2 schools, has been organised by Edinburgh City Council in collaboration with sustainable transport charity Sustrans. It is one of a series of events taking place across Scotland throughout March to help school champions learn more about promoting healthy and environmentally-friendly travel to and from school.

The free training will be run by Edinburgh City Council and is designed to help schools proactively tackle the school run, promote walking and cycling as a healthy and fun way to get to classes, and find out more about creating and implementing a School Travel Plan.
Cecilia Oram, Sustrans' School Travel Project Officer for Scotland , said: "Sustrans has been working with schools throughout Scotland for over 10 years so we have lots of experience in helping make school travel more healthy and environmentally-friendly.

Currently the school run accounts for a fifth of all traffic on the roads every morning and obesity levels in the UK continue to rise with 25% of 11 to 15 year olds being overweight or obese. It is vital that we address these issues by tackling the increasingly car-dependent school run in Scotland and encourage parents, teachers and children to take to two wheels, two feet or use public transport to travel to and from classes. These free training days will give representatives the knowledge and skills they need to champion green and healthy travel in their schools."

Edinburgh's Transport Convener, Cllr Phil Wheeler, said: "The Council is committed to offering a broad range of intelligent and sustainable transport choices for Edinburgh - which naturally includes encouraging as many people to cycle as we can.

"Last year the Council invested £380,000 on several cycle projects including improvements to cycle lanes and a further £100,000 on the completion of the Rodney Street Tunnel project, which, on opening next month, will link up many of Edinburgh 's cycle routes. This year, we will continue to invest in high quality cycleways, with a further £130,000 being made available for other cycling projects. Of course, the benefits of cycling stretch well beyond the environment - it's a great way to keep fit and healthy - which is why the Council is working with Sustrans to offer this exciting training day."

Source: Sustrans
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Bristol teachers to get a master class in tackling the school run

Wednesday 11th March between 12:15 – 13:15 Teachers from over 40 schools across Bristol and South Gloucester are being offered a day of free workshops to get practical advice on how to promote cycling to school.

The day is being hosted by the city’s four dedicated Sustrans Bike It Officers who are working with schools across the region to promote cycling as a real alternative to the school run. Teachers will be encouraged to cycle to the event and experience one of the famous ‘Sustrans Bike It Breakfasts’ which are common place in Bike It schools across the country.

The Bike It Action Day will give school travel champions a chance to learn from other schools on how best to introduce cycling in their own school community. The workshops will also cover safety issues, how to access bike training and an update on how the Cycling City project will benefit schools in the region.

Sustrans Bike It Officer Ben Bowskill said:”This is a unique chance for teachers from all over the region to come with any questions they may have about promoting cycling in their school. It is very much an interactive day and an opportunity to share ideas as well as get new ones. We know that 47% of children would like to cycle to school and currently only 2% actually do, this means we have a huge potential to increase cycling levels across Bristol and South Gloucestershire .”

Cllr Dr Jon Rogers, Bristol City Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability said: “Cycling is a healthy, quick and fun way of getting about Bristol . Just 100 metres from the venue is one of the best cycle and pedestrian routes in Bristol , the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path. Come and enjoy the best ribbon park in the city.

"Bike It, is all about enthusing our children (and their parents and grandparents) with the pleasures of cycling. This tested programme works and complements the efforts of Cycling City to double the number of cyclists in Bristol in 3 years. We can make it happen.”

The Bike It project works with over 400 schools and over 60,000 children and young people across England and Wales . It works directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school – by organising cycle training, helping to install new bike sheds, contributing to classroom work and providing information about safe routes to schools. Participating schools across England have seen levels of cycling treble within a year– bucking the trend in declining numbers of children cycling to school.

There are nearly 50 schools across Bristol and South Gloucestershire that are taking part in the Sustrans Bike It project. Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Nationally the project is funded by Cycling England, and the cycle industry through the Bike Hub, locally Bike It funded by Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Active Bristol through NHS Bristol.

Staff, parents and teachers who are interested in promoting cycling and walking in their school are encouraged to call the Sustrans School Travel Team on 0117 915 0100 for free information and advice.

Source: Sustrans
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Overwhelming support for Bridport to Maiden Newton traffic-free path

People in Bridport and Maiden Newton are overwhelmingly in favour of Sustrans’ proposed traffic-free path between their two towns.

Over 250 people attended the recent consultation meetings – one in each town. Of 180 survey forms returned, 179 were in favour of the proposal.

The ten-mile route would follow the disused railway between Bridport and Maiden Newton. Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, plans to resurface the line to enable year-round access by cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users.

Sustrans land negotiator Peter Henshaw said: “We are delighted to have such overwhelming public support for this proposal. People were saying how this path would be a real asset to the area and that they only wish we could start tomorrow.

“This enthusiasm clearly shows how popular the path would be and that it would give a huge health and fitness boost for people living in both towns.”

Walkers and cyclists were almost equal in their enthusiasm – 79 per cent of respondents said they would walk the path at some point, 78 per cent would cycle. Over 60 per cent would do both.

The path would have regular use, with 31 per cent saying they would walk it at least once a week, and 32 per cent cycling at least once a week.

Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) would use the path for leisure or recreation, and half to improve personal fitness. A further 14 per cent said they would use the path for shopping trips. The route also feeds in to schools in both Bridport and Maiden Newton, offering the prospect of a traffic-free school run.

The drop-in meetings were held last month at Bridport Town Hall and Maiden Newton Village Hall.

Sustrans expects the project will take three to four years to complete. But the charity hopes to start work on a two-mile central section between Toller Porcorum and Powerstock Common later this year, following an ecological audit.

Source: Sustrans
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Plans revealed for £2million walk and cycle route in Ynys Mon

Ambitious plans are underway to regenerate a former railway line in Ynys Mon by investing £2million in a new walking and cycling route.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans Cymru has conducted a feasibility study in the first step to creating a safe, convenient and attractive traffic-free route for locals and tourists.

The Lon Las Mon path would stretch for 16 miles along the old Lein Amlwch railway between Gaerwen and Amlwch.

Sustrans Cymru, the charity behind the National Cycle Network, has concluded it is possible for Lein Amlwch to be used for a dual purpose heritage railway and greenway for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Glyn Evans, Sustrans Area Manager for North Wales, said: “The development of Lein Amlwch would provide an ideal location for local people to walk and cycle in a traffic free environment which would benefit the health of the communities. The route would also result in more daytrippers and holidaymakers heading into the north of the island, which will give a real economic boost to Ynys Mon.

“Our report shows that it is entirely feasible to develop a walking and cycling path along Lein Amlwch as well as accommodate a heritage railway over the central section.

“This project would result in a high quality and long-lasting facility that will not only be a popular leisure route but will also help local people go about their everyday journeys in a healthy and environmentally friendly way.”

The Lon Las Mon Greenway would form part of National Cycle Network Route 5 which currently consists of an on-road loop from Bangor to Holyhead. It would follow the development of the popular Celtic Trail and Taff Trail in Wales which give a total impact of £75 million per year in the local economies.

Sustrans and Ynys Mon County Council aim to work with Network Rail, Anglesey Central Railway Ltd and local landowners on land negotiations before submitting planning applications. The greenway could be opened to the public by 2012.

Source: Sustrans
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Adventurer Alastair Humphreys challenges 20,000 children to race around the world

Monday 2nd March 2009 marked the launch of a month long national virtual bike race around the world. Cycling adventurer Alastair Humphreys will be inspiring pupils, parents and teachers from over 140 schools across England as they set out on a 46,000 mile race. Pupils will be virtually following in the footsteps of Alastair who spent four years cycling through 60 different countries as he travelled around the world. This huge feat was described by Sir Ranulph Fiennes as “the first great adventure of the new millennium”.

The race has been organised by the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. The race aims to inspire and get pupils, parents and teachers cycling on a regular basis. Over the next four weeks 19 Sustrans Bike It Officers will be aiming to get over 20,000 children cycling to and from school.

Bike It Officer, Kathy Bashford said: “This unique race will act as a great way for the whole school community to join together as they take on other schools from across the country. The most important part of the month long race will be to show pupils, parents and teachers how easy choosing two wheels instead of four for the journey to school can be.

“It is vital that we give young people in communities across the country the opportunity to travel in ways, which are healthy, sustainable and fun. Cycling to school has so many benefits for pupils such as improved health, confidence and concentration as well as the obvious benefits for the environment in which they will grow up in.”

Alastair Humphreys said: “It is fantastic to be able to team up with Sustrans and use my own adventure to encourage children from across the country to choose cycling as a real alternative for the school run. Cycling to school is great way for young people to get fit and healthy. I would encourage as many pupils as possible to join their Bike It Officers in this great challenge. Good luck to all those taking part and I look forward to tracking your progress around the world."

The Bike It project works with over 400 schools and over 60,000 children and young people. It works directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school – by organising cycle training, helping to install new bike sheds, contributing to classroom work and providing information about safe routes to schools. Participating schools across England have seen levels of cycling treble within a year– bucking the trend in declining numbers of children cycling to school.

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Nationally the project is funded by Cycling England, and the cycle industry through the Bike Hub, locally Bike It is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and local county councils.

Staff, parents and teachers who are interested in promoting cycling and walking in their school are encouraged to call the Sustrans School Travel Team on 0117 915 0100 for free information and advice.

Source: Sustrans
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Volunteers needed to help people get active in Kent

Keen cyclists and walkers are needed to help encourage more people in Kent to get about in healthy and environmentally friendly ways.

Volunteer rangers for Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, are inviting new recruits to join them at an information evening in Canterbury on Thursday (March 5).
The event will be a chance for newcomers to find out more about rangers’ variety of tasks to keep the National Cycle Network safe and attractive, from cutting back brambles to resurfacing paths.

A new partnership has been agreed between Sustrans and Kent County Council (KCC) which has been driven by their determination to keep routes well signed, well maintained and accessible. In return for funding, Sustrans aims to provide 50 new rangers to help strengthen existing groups and create six new groups for the county.

Simon Allum, Mobility Management Team Leader at Kent Highway Services (KHS) said: “The agreement is an exciting opportunity to build on our existing strong relationship with Sustrans and to facilitate the building of strong relationships with cyclists across the county. It will enable greater engagement between KHS and the cycling community and will hopefully lead to a sense of ownership with the cycle network and the forging of strong partnerships for the benefit of all.”

Sustrans Ranger Sheila Webb, a volunteer since 1991 and a founder member of East Kent cycle campaign Spokes, said: “It’s really quite satisfying to see so many people take up cycling again or enjoying a long walk because they have lovely routes nearby such as the Crab and Winkle Way from Canterbury to Whitstable. There are many different tasks for rangers to maintain and improve the routes from cutting back vegetation to painting a milepost or building a seat out of an old railway sleeper.”

Sustrans Volunteer Ranger Coordinator Julie Tublin said: “This is a great opportunity for people to make a positive difference in their community. Volunteer rangers act as the eyes and ears for Sustrans and local authorities, making sure that routes are kept as safe and attractive as possible for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users.

“Rangers can put in as much or as little time as they can manage and any level of involvement will really help lighten the load. We are really looking forward to welcoming more people into the fold.”

The meeting will be held on Thursday 5th March from 6.30pm to 8pm at The Friends Meeting House, 2 The Friars, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2AS.

For more information or to register your interest call 0207 0172356, email volunteers-london@sustrans.org.uk or visit www.sustrans.org.uk and click on ‘Support Sustrans’.

Source: Sustrans
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Rochdale 's canals to be refurbished for everyday journeys by foot and bike

Just over a year ago, local communities in Rochdale, Oldham, Middleton and Heywood voted in their thousands for Sustrans Connect2 to win the lottery vote to bring £50million from the Big Lottery Fund to 79 communities across the UK to create networks for everyday journeys for people travelling by foot and by bike - including Rochdale 's towpath.

Now, the £1.6million pound project to connect walkers and cyclists via a tranquil and pleasant green corridor running the length of the canal is a step closer as sustainable transport charity Sustrans and its Connect2 partner at Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council sign the paperwork that will guide the development for the coming years.

This agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding, confirms partners' continued commitment to the project and pledges £450,000 from Sustrans' Connect2 lottery award to complete the network of paths along the Rochdale canal and links into the community across the Borough.
More than 300,000 people live within a mile of the network, and when open, it will offer a pleasant waterside route along the canal, in contrast to the busy A627.

Howard Gott, at Rochdale Borough Council says: "We are delighted that
funding from the Big Lottery Fund is now in place to regenerate Rochdale 's canal for everyday journeys by foot and by bike. We anticipate that work will begin in summer 2010 and I look forward to the grand opening in summer 2012."

Peter Foster, Sustrans' regional director says "We are really excited about this new route to connect communities along the entire length of the borough. There's already an extensive walking and cycling network, but once open, this greenway will link them all up to offer people a more enjoyable way to get to where they need to go."

This scheme has been made possible through the enormous popular support for Sustrans' Connect2 - as voted for by the public in the UK 's largest lottery competition last December.
The anticipated cost of the Rochdale Towpath scheme is in excess of £1.6million, with £450,000 coming from the Big Lottery Fund as part of Sustrans Connect2.

The lottery award will join locally sourced match-funding to transform local travel in 79 communities throughout the UK - changing the lives of six million people who live within a mile of a scheme. Over the next five years, nearly £30 million a year will be invested in creating these local walking and cycling networks from Devon to Perthshire.

Source: Sustrans
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Sustrans offers free training for Glasgow schools to help tackle the school run

Pupils, teachers, parents and school representatives from across Glasgow will come together at the GO Business and Conference Centre in Glasgow for a free day of training on Wednesday 10th March. The focus of the day will be to help boost healthy school travel across the city – and there are still places left!

The School Travel Plan Action Day has been organised by sustainable transport charity Sustrans and is one of a series taking place across Scotland through March to help school champions learn more about promoting healthy and environmentally-friendly travel to and from school.

The free training, supported by the Scottish Government, is designed to help schools proactively tackle the school run, promote walking and cycling as a healthy and fun way to get to classes, and find out more about creating and implementing a School Travel Plan.
Cecilia Oram, Sustrans’ School Travel Project Officer for Scotland , said: “Sustrans has been working with schools throughout Scotland for over 10 years so we have lots of experience in helping make school travel more healthy and environmentally-friendly.

Currently the school run accounts for a fifth of all traffic on the roads every morning and obesity levels in the UK continue to rise with 25% of 11 to 15 year olds being overweight or obese. It is vital that we address these issues by tackling the increasingly car-dependent school run in Scotland and encourage parents, teachers and children to take to two wheels, two feet or use public transport to travel to and from classes. These free training days will give representatives the knowledge and skills they need to champion green and healthy travel in their schools.”

Source: Sustrans
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