Tag: active travel

Walking, wheeling and cycling to be offered on prescription in England

  • trials in 11 areas across England to help people’s mental and physical health
  • GPs will issue social prescriptions such as walking, wheeling and cycling, backed by £12.7 million
  • schemes will include cycling and walking groups, cycle training and free bike loans

Social prescriptions, including walking, wheeling and cycling, will be offered by GPs as part of a new trial to improve mental and physical health and reduce disparities across England, the government has announced today (22 August 2022).

The government has awarded £12.7 million in multi-year funding to 11 local authority areas in England. The funding will go towards several pilot projects in each location, including:

  • adult cycle training
  • free bike loans
  • walking groups

Other schemes include all-ability cycling taster days where people who may not have cycled before can try to in a friendly environment, or walking and cycling mental health groups where people can connect with their communities as they get active.

The pilots must be delivered alongside improved infrastructure so people feel safe to cycle and walk.

The 11 local authority areas that will trial social prescriptions are:

  • Bath and North East Somerset
  • Bradford
  • Cornwall
  • Cumbria
  • Doncaster
  • Gateshead
  • Leeds
  • Nottingham
  • Plymouth
  • Suffolk
  • Staffordshire

The pilots, a commitment in the government’s Gear Change plan published in 2020, aim to evaluate the impact of cycling and walking on an individual’s health, such as reduced GP appointments and reliance on medication due to more physical activity. For the first time, transport, active travel and health officials will work together towards a whole systems approach to health improvement and tackling health disparities.

Walking and Cycling Minister, Trudy Harrison, said:  ”Walking and cycling has so many benefits – from improving air quality in our communities to reducing congestion on our busiest streets.

“It also has an enormous positive impact on physical and mental health, which is why we have funded these projects which will get people across the country moving and ease the burden on our NHS.”

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “As a nation we need healthier, cheaper and more pleasant ways to get around for everyday trips. Active Travel England’s mission is to ensure millions of people nationwide can do just that – so it’s easier to leave the car at home and to enjoy the benefits that come with it.

“Moving more will lead to a healthier nation, a reduced burden on the NHS, less cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as huge cost savings. This trial aims to build on existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact on communities across England.”

The pilots will be delivered between 2022 and 2025 with on-going monitoring and evaluation to support continued learning.

The project is bringing together a range of government departments and agencies including:

  • NHS England
  • Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
  • Sport England
  • National Academy for Social Prescribing
  • Defra
  • Department for Health and Social Care

Miniature vertical farms travel the country as Dandelion’s cubes tour begins

Dandelion’s cubes are going on tour, starting on top of the iconic Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Special cargo bikes, featuring Dandelion’s unique ‘growing cubes’ called ‘Cubes of Perpetual Light’, will be touring Scotland in Dandelion’s latest initiative to bring music, nature, art, science, community food growing and more, to as many people as possible.

The Cubes Bike Tour forms part of Dandelion, a major creative programme demonstrating the power of collective action through an ambitious ‘grow your own’ initiative that aims to reach hundreds of thousands of people throughout Scotland and further afield this summer. 

The creative programme has been following the arc of the growing season, spanning from April to September 2022, bringing together music and art with science and technology to inspire people to ‘Sow, Grow and Share’ music, food, ideas and stories.

Commissioned by EventScotland and funded by the Scottish Government,  Dandelion is Scotland’s contribution to UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. 

A touring fleet of cargo bikes displaying Dandelion’s growing cubes – miniature vertical farms – will travel the Highlands and Lowlands throughout August.

Four custom-made, electrically assisted bikes – each carrying a cube – will visit ten towns and cities, stopping at school playgrounds, green spaces, town centres, and Dandelion’s Unexpected Gardens, among other locations.

The bikes team will also be giving away free seeds to encourage people to grow their own food. As we come to grips with the impacts of climate change, the need to travel sustainably have never been more important, and the cargo bikes show one way to what is possible.

The bikes also embed active travel at the core of the tour by cycling across the country, as Scotland prepares to host the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.

The 1m x 1m cubes are designed to foster accelerated plant growing and have been developed to grow hundreds of seedlings under LED light, combining design craft, traditional horticultural expertise and technological innovation. 

The Dandelion team will also be giving away free seed packets and sharing their expertise, so that everyone can grow their own herbs at home and also find out more about Dandelion’s Harvest celebrations in September.

At each stop, the cubes will play new music specially commissioned for Dandelion by Scottish and international artists, inspired by the natural world and can only be heard at the sites, including Vendanth Bharadwaj, Arooj Aftab & Maeve Gilchrist, 2022 Mercury-nominated Fergus McCreadie, Ravi Bandhu, Trio Da Kali, and amiina & Kathleen MacInnes.

Featuring programmable, immersive lighting integrated with speaker systems designed to best showcase the new music playing from the cubes. Each new music piece is commissioned by Dandelion with additional support for international work from British Council Scotland.

Neil Butler, Director of Festivals and Events at Dandelion, said: ‘We can’t wait for the Cubes Bike Tour to begin. It’s a great way to share Dandelion’s message and reach people in locations throughout Scotland.

“The bikes will be travelling all over the country so we’d love to see people coming along to witness some of the magic, get seeds to grow your own at home and hear more about our upcoming Harvest celebrations.’

Paul Bush OBE, Visit Scotland Director of Events said: “The Dandelion programme is creating an incredible array of events across Scotland this summer, each finding unique moments to connect with people all over the country through growing.

“The Cubes Bike Tour is another engaging example of this, taking Dandelion right into the heart of locations right across Scotland to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

“It’s also fantastic to see events like this embed active travel as part of their programme, and it’s particularly exciting to see biking at the core of this tour as Scotland gears up to celebrate cycling on the world-stage in one year’s time, hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships”.

Cosmo Blake, Network Engagement Manager at Sustrans Scotland “We are delighted to be able to support Dandelion by supplying four cargo bikes for the Cubes Bike Tour this August.

“By utilising the National Cycle Network, the UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling and cycling, the tour will be able to reach communities sustainably. With the ever-present impacts from climate change, the importance of both food and transport sustainability are becoming more and more relevant.

“Bringing together active travel, growing, and the arts is a fantastic way to demonstrate the huge breadth of possibilities of cycling for transport as well as for leisure.”

The Cube Bikes will be passing through the places below:

Edinburgh, Tue 2 August

1pm, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

4pm, Unexpected Garden, Lauriston Farm

Hawick, Wed 3 August

4pm, Hawick Museum, Wilton Lodge Gardens

Stranraer, Fri 5 August

1pm, Unexpected Garden, Harbour Street

Greenock, Sat 6 August

10.30am, Battery Park and along the esplanade

11.30am, Beacon Arts Centre

2pm, The Drying Green, Inverkip Road

Glasgow, Sun 7 August

10.00am, Govan Cross

12noon, Glasgow Science Centre

Forres, Tue 23 August

1pm, Market Square

7pm, Grant Park

Inverness, Wed 24 August

5.30pm, City Centre

Alness, Thu 25 August

Schools tour only

Wick, Fri 26 August

11am, Harbour tour

1pm, Market Square

Thurso, Sat 27 August

1pm, Town Centre

7.30pm, Unexpected Garden

Further locations to be announced throughout August.

For more information and location updates, please see: www.dandelion.scot

Dandelion is commissioned by EventScotland, funded by the Scottish Government and is part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. The bikes were commissioned for Dandelion by Sustrans. The Cube Bikes Tour route will follow the National Cycle Network where available. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network/

New report shows urgent action is needed to stop traffic fumes contributing to dementia

Environmental campaigners say bold action to limit polluting traffic is needed as a new report showing the links between air pollution and dementia is released.

The report, published yesterday (25 July 2022) by COMEAP, the UK Government’s Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, suggests the most likely way that pollution impacts cognitive impairment is through circulation. Air pollutants, particularly small particles, can affect the heart and blood vessels, including the brain.

Environmental campaigners say that the Scottish Government and local councils are not taking enough action to reduce pollution from transport and other sources. Earlier this year, research by Friends of the Earth Scotland showed that Scotland breached air quality limits in 2021 after a historic low in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s transport campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “Today’s report from the UK Government is further evidence that air pollution is devastating for human health, and it’s really worrying to see the links with dementia being strengthened.

“We have known for a long time that traffic fumes cause asthma and heart conditions, and evidence has been growing about the risk that tiny particles – from exhaust fumes, tyres and brakes – pose to our cognitive health. It is particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.

“Four cities in Scotland will soon have small clean air zones limiting polluting vehicles from the city centre. This is the first action we’ve seen to tackle air pollution but it’s nowhere near enough. To improve air quality in our communities and neighbourhoods, we need significant investment in public transport so that everyone can access it, while providing more space for walking, wheeling and cycling.”

South Queensferry: Have your say on active travel at drop-in session

Do you live in Queensferry? The city council wants to improve walking, wheeling and cycling conditions there, creating more travel options for daily trips to school, work and in your local community.

Come to their drop-in at South Queensferry Community Centre, School Lane on Thursday, 30 June between 3pm and 7pm to meet the project team and find out more

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/southqueens…/

Pandemic paved way for more walking and connecting to nature

More people recognise the wellbeing benefits of walking are encouraged to spend more time outdoors due to their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic according to new findings.

The research was commissioned by natural heritage body NatureScot in the aftermath of three waves of the Coronavirus crisis to better understand outdoor visit behaviour and how people engaged with nature.

The survey looked at the behaviour of more than 3,000 people who revealed details of how they spent time outdoors as coronavirus restrictions relaxed.

The survey found that people will encourage their children to spend more time outdoors, make more use of local green space, and try to walk more, have been welcomed by Scottish walking charity Paths for All who, along with other partners, supported these 3 studies.

Evidence gathered from respondents following the 2021 third wave found that 68% of people agreed they will encourage their children to spend more time outdoors, 62% will minimise non-essential travel and the same figure will make more use of local greenspace.

The survey also found almost two-thirds (64%) of people will try to walk, wheel or cycle more in favour of using a car, more than half would like to do more to look after local nature and wildlife, while more than one-third (36%) would be willing to volunteer time to help nature.

Kevin Lafferty, chief executive of Paths for All – which champions everyday walking to create happier and healthier lives – welcomed the survey and believes the impact of the pandemic has reset people’s views on how they can interact with nature and enjoy more active lifestyles.

He said: “The negative impact of the wholly necessary Covid-related restrictions on our movements and ability to get out and about cannot be underestimated and it caused great stress and anxiety for all age groups and social classes living throughout Scotland.

“But this survey is hugely encouraging and offers some very positive messages on how people are more willing to incorporate walking and getting closer to nature in their post-lockdown lives.

“NatureScot has delivered an impressively comprehensive insight into what is motivating people to embrace nature more, be that on their urban doorsteps or by taking advantage of our vast array of rural landscapes.”

Seventy three percent of those questioned said spending time outdoors after Wave 3 helped them to destress, relax and unwind, while 66% stated that it made them feel energised and revitalised – an increase on both 2020 waves.

Almost three in five (58%) agreed that since the pandemic began nature had become more important to their health and wellbeing, up from 49% in the first survey – but their enjoyment was curtailed by a number of issues.

Litter was a bugbear on visits to the outdoors for almost half of respondents (48%), while nearly one-third cited a lack of public toilet facilities as a factor, followed by pavement cyclists (26%) and cars parking on pavements (25%).

Frequency of participation in outdoor visits remained high during all three waves – between 71-80% – and the survey revealed a marked decrease in the number of adults who took no outdoor visits – down from 19% in May 2020 to only 10% in the final period last September.

More than half of those surveyed said their outdoor activity after Wave 3 consisted of walking under two miles, 43% walked between two and eight miles, a healthy 15% said they walked more than eight miles, with a further 11% taking part in hillwalking.

Kevin Lafferty added: “Everyday walking is key to improving the health and wellbeing of the Scottish people so it is heartening to see such high numbers of people shaking off the restrictions of lockdown and getting out into the fresh air to walk and enjoy the abundance of nature all around us.

“The research indicates a marked drop in the number of people who latterly were not managing to get outdoors at all – probably due to vaccination uptake and rising confidence that Covid-19 is more controlled – and we hope those people have continued to enjoy all the benefits of the great outdoors.”

More than one-third (37%) of respondents reported taking more visits to the outdoors after Wave 3 than pre-pandemic. The key reasons given for the increase were a “pent up demand” following the easing of lockdown restrictions, increased levels of appreciation of the outdoors acquired during the pandemic, seeking to get fit or exercise, and having increased amounts of free time.

However, those who spent less time outdoors during this period, put it down to continued adherence to rules, general health or old age issues and/or continued nervousness about going outside due to the risks of infection or transmission.

Kevin added: “A third of us in Scotland are not active enough and walking is by far the best way for many of us to be more active.

“A brisk 30-minute walk five days a week can prevent illness, improve physical and mental health and improve our connections with our community and the environment.

“This report is important in understanding how Covid-19 impacted the daily habit of taking a walk that many of us take for granted, and hopefully one of the benefits to come out of this global health crisis is that more of us now have a stronger connection to the outdoors.”

Council consults on sustainable transport connections across city

Views are being sought on proposals to improve walking, wheeling and cycling, plus public transport links, parks and public spaces, around new and future residential developments across the city.

Plans have been developed for four neighbourhoods identified as significant areas of new residential development in Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan – Leith, Lochend and Easter Road, Queensferry and Burdiehouse.

Amongst the potential measures are walking, cycling and public realm upgrades complementing changes already proposed through the Leith Connections project, pavement widening, dropped kerbs and placemaking improvements around Lochend and Easter Road and segregated cycle lanes and enhanced crossings in the Burdiehouse area.

These have been drawn up in close collaboration with the Council’s public transport team and in discussion with bus operators – improving access to bus stops is an important component of the schemes.

In Queensferry, changes in the Echline Estate, the Builyeon Road development, Viewforth Road, Scotstoun Avenue and Queensferry High School would make it easier and more pleasant to travel by foot, wheel or bike, especially to Dalmeny station and a planned new primary school at Builyeon Road.

A new linear park would be introduced on part of the current Builyeon Road route as well as ‘pocket parks’ and tree-planting.

Proposals support Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan by encouraging people to make healthier, more sustainable transport choices, and align to our 20-minute neighbourhood strategy. This aims to help residents meet their daily needs within 20 minutes of their homes by walking, using public transport, wheeling or cycling.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Over the coming years we’re going to see tens of thousands of new houses built in Edinburgh, and it’s essential that we support residents in these homes, and those living nearby, to make healthy, sustainable transport choices.

“These proposals target areas where new developments are planned or are already underway and look to make improvements or introduce new infrastructure – like cycle lanes, widened pavements and safer crossings – to help people move around their neighbourhood, and further afield, by foot, wheel or bike.

“It’s crucial that we support travel by bus, tram and train as well as active travel, which is why we’ve worked closely with our public transport team and with providers to develop these plans – for example they will significantly improve access to bus stops and will transform travel on foot and bike from the Builyeon Road area in Queensferry to Dalmeny rail station.

“Recent research has shown that most people would walk, wheel or cycle more if they could access local amenities more easily. We need to encourage this kind of behaviour change if we are to achieve net zero goals, healthier lifestyles and a more pleasant city for future generations.

“This is how things used to be, and it is a great way of supporting local jobs. People’s feedback and ideas will be really important as the Council develops these proposals, and I’ll also be working closely with local councillors to ensure your voice is heard.”

Four separate consultations will run until 17 July and feedback will help inform the design process in each of the areas.

Drop-in events, where people can view proposals and provide feedback, will take place over the period of the consultations. Proposals for Queensferry will be on show at Queensferry Community Centre on 30 June (3pm to 7pm) and for Burdiehouse at Valley Park Community Centre on 30 June (3.30pm to 7.15pm). Further drop-ins are being arranged and will be announced in the coming weeks and publicised on the Council’s consultation web pages.

In Leith, proposals form phase three of Leith Connections. Consultations have already been undertaken on recommendations for phase one, a high-quality cycle track between Foot of the Walk and Ocean Terminal, and phase two, a low traffic neighbourhood where through traffic is removed and new community spaces are created.

View the full proposals and take part in the consultations online:

Walk Wheel Cycle Burdiehouse 
Queensferry – walking, wheeling and cycling improvements 
Lochend and Easter Road – walking, wheeling and cycling improvements 
Leith Connections: Phase 3 west – east proposals.

£5M fund to boost sustainable travel in Scotland now open

A multi-million pound grant fund has opened to support people across Scotland to travel in more active and sustainable ways.

Community, public and third sector organisations can now apply to the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund which has £5 million worth of grants available this year alone – double the amount available previously.

Now in its fifth year, the fund has already awarded over £9.3million to hundreds of projects across Scotland that aim to get people out their cars and walk, wheel or cycle for short journeys or use public or sustainable travel for longer trips.

The launch of this year’s grant fund has been welcomed by Scotland’s Active Travel Minister Patrick Harvie MSP. He said: “I’m delighted we have been able to double this year’s Open Fund to £5 million – reflecting both the popularity of the fund and the effectiveness of giving community groups the flexibility to draw down funding and spend as they see fit to deliver initiatives that provide the best value for money in the communities they serve. 

“This increase is part of our record funding for active travel this year and another step in our commitment to make walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choice for our daily short journeys in Scotland, and I commend Paths for All for their excellent stewardship of the Open Fund.”

Managed by national walking charity Paths for All and supported by Transport Scotland, the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund aims to encourage people to change their behaviour and to walk, wheel or cycle for short, everyday journeys.

It also encourages people to use sustainable travel choices, including buses, trams, trains for longer journeys to help cut Scotland’s carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Since 2018, the SCSP Open Fund has supported charities, colleges and universities, social enterprises, third sector organisations, community groups and health and social care partnerships to realise their active travel ambitions.

It’s funded dozens of new active travel jobs and has boosted hundreds of initiatives to get people moving as part of their daily journeys, funding everything from information apps to active travel hubs.

Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive Officer at Paths for All said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to offer £5million in grants this year to support more people to travel in ways that benefit their health and wellbeing and that helps protect our environment too.

“It’s been incredible to see what has been achieved so far, and we are looking forward to this seeing more projects coming forward with new and creative ways to make walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport the natural choice when getting from A to B.

“I’d encourage anyone with an active travel idea to get in touch with us and find out how we can help get projects off the ground. Together we can work towards creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland.”

STIRLING, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 20: A Paths For All workplace walking project is pictured at Kintail House, on November 20, in Stirling, Scotland (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

For information on how to apply for a Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund grant of between £5000 and £50,000, visit Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund | Paths for All

To read inspiring examples of how our funding has been used to further active travel, visit https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/active-travel/at-success-stories

On your feet! New WHO report shows health and environmental benefits of active travel

Scottish Government welcomes study, co-authored by Edinburgh Napier University academic, that highlights the societal advantages of walking and cycling

A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that swapping driving for cycling just one day a week saves the equivalent emissions of a flight from London to New York – about half a tonne of carbon dioxide.

The report, co-authored by Dr Adrian Davis, Professor of Transport and Health at Edinburgh Napier University, provides the latest evidence on the benefits and risks of active travel. It clearly shows that for individuals and societies, promoting active travel is good for population health and the environment.

For example, if just one in five urban residents can be convinced to permanently swap the driving seat for the saddle one day a week, it would cut emissions from all car travel in Europe by about 8%.

The health benefits of active travel are also laid bare with the report showing that active travellers have as much as a 40% lower risk of dying from cancer and a 52% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to those commuting by car or public transport. They also have a 46% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 45% lower risk of developing cancer at all. This means a poorer quality of life.

The report also contains the latest evidence on the benefits of e-bikes which are bringing more people to cycling, including older adults for whom there is a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

The report has been warmly welcomed by the Scottish Government. Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie said: “I’m pleased to welcome this new report from the World Health Organisation on the many benefits of active travel.

“This peer-reviewed publication – co-authored by Dr Davis from Edinburgh Napier University – provides the latest evidence base for policy makers across the globe on why investment in walking, wheeling and cycling is so important for our health, our cities and our environment.

“The vital role active travel can play in building healthier and happier lives is well recognised in Scotland. That’s why I’m proud the Scottish Government has committed to spend at least 10% of the transport budget on active travel by 2024/25, enabling a transformational investment in communities across the country. This report sets out all the benefits that we will see as we make that shift.”

Professor Adrian Davis outside the Scottish Parliament with his Transport Policy Paper. Neil Hanna Photography www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823

Co-author Dr Adrian Davis said: “This report clearly shows that for individuals and societies active travel is good for health and that we can all play our part in tackling climate change. As Individuals, we can take actions which benefits our own health and that of others.

“People who walk or cycle as well as use cars have lower carbon footprints from all daily travel. More people switching some of their journeys to active travel would lower carbon emissions from transport on a daily basis.

“The report provides timely evidence to support policy makers and practitioners, coming as it does shortly after the Scottish local government elections.”

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