Active Travel

Active travel includes walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys. There are a range of benefits of active travel including improved public health and air quality, increased road safety, reduced carbon emissions and supporting more efficient transport systems. It includes:

• Walking - The most sustainable option, requiring no fuel, and helping people to be more active, with benefits for their health.
• Wheeling - An alternative to foot/pedestrian-based mobility. Includes wheeled mobilities such as manual self-propelled or assistant-propelled wheelchairs.
• Cycling - An active, efficient, low-emission mode of transport that also improves fitness.

The Department for Transport has set out four objectives for active travel to be delivered by Active Travel England, working in partnership with local authorities.

• Increasing the percentage of short journeys in towns and cities that are walked or cycled.
• Increase people’s annual walking activity.
• Double rates of cycling.
• Increase the percentage of children aged 5 to 10 who usually walk to school.