Active travel
Recognising the benefits of active travel Government Business (GB) talks to Mayor Dan Jarvis (DJ) about his vision for walking and cycling in the Sheffield City Region and how lockdown can help create long-lasting changes to our travel habits GB: During lockdown we have seen increasing numbers walking, cycling and running for essential journeys and exercise. As restrictions ease and the threat levels drops, how important is it to sustain this rise in active travel?
taken to two wheels during the lockdown. The benefits of active travel are huge. It improves our mental and physical health – and that of the planet. It can make transport affordable and more accessible, especially for the most deprived. And it improves our quality of life. One thing I will always remember from the lockdown was hearing the birds, rather than the DJ: One of the few positives to come sound of traffic. With less congestion out of the coronavirus lockdown was an and noise, our streets become safer uplift in cycling and walking. Across the and more pleasant places to live. UK, around 1.3 million people Going back to the status have bought a bike since the quo is just not good enough. beginning of the crisis, Cycling and walking are The around five per cent of already at the heart of my numbe the population. Here transport strategy, but the people r of in South Yorkshire, current crisis provides more than 100,000 an opportunity to do around getting by bi extra cyclists have much more. My £1.7
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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT | www.governmentbusiness.co.uk
billion Renewal Action Plan sets out how we intend to transform South Yorkshire’s economy to make it stronger, greener and fairer for all, and as part of that I’ve asked the government for millions of pounds of investment to provide sustainable, affordable and safe means for people and goods to travel in South Yorkshire. This includes implementing parts of our Active Travel Implementation Plan. Developed by my Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey, local authorities and walking and cycling expert Brian Deegan, our plan sets out our plans to make South Yorkshire a place where people can safely walk or cycle for short everyday journeys, to work, school or the shops. The government says they share our vision – now the question is whether they will back it.
