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<\/p>\nAs January comes to a close, we’re keen to hear how you’re doing with your resolutions, and whether there’s room for one more? Here in our team, we’re working to champion a shift towards walking, wheeling and cycling; also known as active travel.\u00a0 By prioritising these sustainable modes of transport, we aim to create greener, healthier, and more connected communities across the region.<\/p>\n
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Making a modal shift to active travel not only reduces congestion and noise pollution but is also one of the most cost-effective ways to cut transport emissions. The benefits extend far beyond environmental gains, improving public health, and boosting the economy. It’s a no brainer, really. Setareh, our intern at Western Gateway STB, tells us why:<\/p>\n
Tackling carbon emissions and air pollution<\/strong><\/p>\n Short journeys offer the chance to choose walking or cycling over driving. By making these small changes, we can\u00a0 reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and minimise noise pollution. And active travel doesn\u2019t just benefit the environment; it also supports well-being. Poor air quality also has known health implications. \u00a0Encouraging active travel can be a crucial step in reducing these health impacts, saving lives, and lowering healthcare costs.<\/p>\n Boosting physical health<\/strong><\/p>\n Physical inactivity places increasing pressure on the NHS each year, with a clear link between travel behaviour and obesity levels. Countries with higher rates of cycling and walking tend to have lower obesity rates. Regular cycling or walking has been shown to lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Walkers and cyclists are often exposed to less air pollution than drivers, even when traveling along the same routes. Beyond these benefits, walking strengthens muscles, bones, and joints and reduces the likelihood of conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and back pain.<\/p>\n Boosting mental health<\/strong><\/p>\n Exercise is a powerful tool for mental well-being. According to the NHS, regular exercise can protect against anxiety and depression. Outdoor exercise has been shown to reduce stress. By committing to just 20 minutes of active travel each day, we can reduce our risk of depression, improve focus, and even enhance workplace productivity.<\/p>\n Unlocking economic benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n Active travel contributes to economic growth by easing road congestion, particularly in urban areas during peak times. This improves the movement of goods and services, reduces travel delays, and Let\u2019s make 2025 a year of positive change<\/strong><\/p>\n As we enter 2025, let\u2019s embrace a healthier, more active, and greener lifestyle. Together, let\u2019s step into the future sustainably!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As January comes to a close, we’re keen to hear how you’re doing with your resolutions, and whether there’s room for one more? Here in our team, we’re working to champion a shift towards walking, wheeling and cycling; also known as active travel.\u00a0 By prioritising these sustainable modes of transport, we aim to create greener, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5285,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nincreases productivity. Walking and cycling also support local businesses. Well-planned walking and cycling infrastructure improvements are often associated with increased footfall, boosting local economies and fostering thriving high streets.<\/p>\n