Active travel

Short Journeys: walking and cycling

To make walking or cycling the first choice for short journeys we need safe roads, cycle paths and footpaths so people of all ages can enjoy using them.

Nationally, transport spending currently favours cars over all other forms of transport, including active travel (walking and cycling) so policy changes and investment are required to encourage the transition to active travel.

Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

Shropshire Council commissioned a Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) focusing on seven market towns during 2022/23.

Proposals include a network of segregated cycle lanes, improved road and paving surfaces, reduced speed limits and safer crossings at road junctions and roundabouts. Implementation takes place over 10 years.

Actions you can take

Try using public transport, walking or cycling once a week to replace shorter journeys
Share transport as much as possible
Consider joining or starting a car or lift-share club

Sustrans is a charity which aims to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. They are the custodian of the National Cycle Network – the UK-wide network of over 12,000 miles of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling, cycling and exploring outdoors. And they have lots of tips for getting active by using a bike or walking
Shropshire Cycle Hub is a community charity focused on improving access to healthy sustainable transport across Shropshire. Find out about the services they offer including bike servicing, rickshaws and how you can get involved.

Actions schools can take

DfT School Streets programme in Shropshire helps schools to create an active travel plan. See link for more details about the wider initiative. Not all schools are eligible. The programme is being trialled by 6 schools across the county
Bikeability is a national cycle training offer for schools supported by Shropshire Council

Living Streets is the UK charity for everyday walking. As part of their Walk to School Outreach project, they are working with Shropshire Council and Active Travel England (ATE) to encourage more Primary school children and their families to walk to school and be active. Their WOW challenge has been shown to increase walking rates by an average of 23% in the first 5 weeks. With funding from ATE, schools across Shropshire are being offered the WOW challenge for free (usual cost £500). See if your primary school is eligible here.

Living Streets also offers support to communities and workplaces to make walking a natural choice for all. See the website for information about their walk leader training and their project work.

Sustrans organises:
- Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel the UK's biggest school cycling, walking and scooting event
- Cycle to School Week
- Sustrans School Streets is a test programme to address congestion, poor air quality and road safety concerns that many schools experience during drop-off and pick-up times. This project is being delivered in association with Playing Out
Big Street Survey is a free curriculum resource enabling pupils to investigate the area around their school and create a manifesto on how to make their streets safer and greener