What is Active Travel?
Active Travel is a government initiative which focuses on getting more people active, to walk and cycle for shorter journeys, instead of relying on using their vehicles or public transport. The initiative aims to improve the health and fitness of communities, and also to reduce congestion and related environmental impact caused by vehicles.
Active Travel routes are typically off-road, aimed to maximise the safety of those who are walking, wheeling and cycling. When you're driving along and you see a pavement which is also a cycle path, that is likely an Active Travel path.
The initiative is overseen by Active Travel England, an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Transport.
Active Travel England's vision is for walking, wheeling and cycling to be an affordable, safe, and accessible choice for everyone and to ensure that more people are making that choice every day.
They are doing this by:
Enabling cheaper, safer, healthier journeys, particularly to school
Creating healthier, better-connection new developments
Building local skills and capacity to plan, design and deliver high-quality initiatives
Q: What do you mean by "wheeling"?
A: Wheeling includes using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, or other activities such as rollerblading, skateboarding or riding a push-along scooter.
Q: Does walking include walking a dog, or pushing a pram?
A: Yes, it includes walking with a dog, or with a pushchair or wheelchair.
But what about horses?
Currently, equestrians are not consistently considered or included in Active Travel scheme designs.
We want this to change.
And we need your help to make this happen.
What can I do?!
Get involved.
Find out what's going on in your local area. Is there an Active Travel route planned where you currently ride?
Have your say. Contact your local councillor or MP and get them supporting equestrians too.
We've made it easy to have your voice heard. Below you'll find information on how to identify your local councillor and MP, template letters to use, and a simple form that generates a ready-to-send email for you to send on to your local councillor or MP.
How to find Active Travel routes/plans in your area
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Search on your local authority’s website for Active Travel routes near you, and check whether they include horse riders.
You can also find routes via the Walk, Wheel and Cycle Trust website.
Q: How do I find out who my local authority is?
A: You can find your local council here.
Write to your local councillor or MP
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By writing to your local councillor or MP, you can ask for their support to include equestrians in local Active Travel and other multi-user schemes in your area.
Scroll down to get your letter template started.
Q: Who is my local councillor or MP?
A: Find your local councillor here, and your local MP here.
Q: What does a local councillor do?
A: Your local councillor represents their ward or division, and the people who live in it. They provide the connection between the community and council. Councillors aim to understand and represent local views and ensure priorities are heard, as well as supporting and advocating for local residents on a variety of matters.
Q: What does an MP do?
A: Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent the people in their constituency. They help constituents with local issues and casework, raise concerns on behalf of their communities, take part in debates and votes on laws, scrutinise the work of the Government, and hold ministers to account by asking questions and challenging decisions.
Q: What do I say to them when I write a letter?
A: You can send one of our template letters in the section below, or use them for inspiration to write your own letter.
Q: Do I have to include any specific information when writing to my MP?
A: Yes - you must include your full name and address to confirm you are a resident in the MP's constituency. Our template letters have been set up to ensure all the essentials are included.
Write your letter
Choose one of our template letters to send, or use them to inspire you to write your own letter. Once you receive the email with your pre-populated letter, you can simply copy and paste it to send on, or customise the content should you wish.
Inclusion in area plans
Inclusion on a specific route
BHS statement on Active Travel
TO ADD
Take a deeper dive into Active Travel here (LINK TO PAPER).
