Walk to the bus stop, cycle to the train station or drive to the park and ride. Whatever multi-modal trip you decide to make, it’s better than driving alone, for both you and your environment. Below are some of the key health and wellbeing benefits of active travel, which you can combine with other modes to make your journeys more sustainable:
Benefits of cycling and walking
Wellbeing: 20 minutes of exercise per day helps to improve brain function by increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain, helping to reduce the risk of depression by 31% and decreasing anxiety levels, which can make you more productive. Walking all of part of your daily commute can help you get into a positive mindset for the day.
Health: Walking and cycling helps improve your cardiovascular health and helps to burn calories to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). Obesity causes 1 million deaths every year worldwide! Not only that, but physical inactivity costs the NHS up to £1 billion per annum. Half a million people worldwide die of air pollution every year and that number is increasing rapidly, but walking and cycling journeys helps to improve air quality by reducing congestion and pollution, particularly in urban areas.”
Did you know you can take your bike on the bus? Check your local bus provider to make sure they have room for your bike!
The park and ride is a good alternative to driving in and paying for parking.
Simply park your car for free and hop onto the bus, sit back and enjoy your commute, rather than contributing to the stressful grid lock twice a day. Using the park and ride decreases the amount of cars entering the city, helping to speed up your daily commute.
Using the park and ride is normally a lot quicker than driving into the city, plus the benefit of not having to pay expensive city parking prices.
A great multi modal commute that’s easy to try is getting off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of your commute, this will help you achieve your recommended daily exercise and enhance your wellbeing before work.
By combining and incorporating one sustainable method in your daily commute, you’re helping the environment and making roads less congested, which saves everyone time.
Liftshare network is FREE and easy to sign up to their website to find locals to car share with.
Liftshare members save over £1,000 on average every year.
You will save money on fuel, maintenance, and parking, helping you to navigate through the current cost of living challenges.
Eco-Friendly Travel: By sharing car rides, we reduce the number of cars on the road, cutting down carbon emissions and contributing to a greener earth.
Community Connection: Socialise your commute and join a community of like-minded individuals who believe in sustainable living. Make new friends and create a positive impact on your community. Car sharing is more than just splitting the cost of travel with each other, it is a social commute, rather than a solo commute.
Hear from one of Lifshares members John. “I’ve saved around £1500 in 6 months, and often four of us use one car for the usual daily 50-mile trip. Definite friendship has occurred which wouldn’t have happened without Liftshare”.
Read more of Liftshares success stories www.liftshare.com/uk/member-stories and sign up today and start your money saving success story like John.
We practice what we preach at Smarter Travel. Hear from our Smarter Travel employees who successfully lift share together.
Hear from our Travel Plan Coordinator Elizabeth Evans MA who talks about her experience with car sharing.
“I enjoy car sharing to work. I am not a morning person and thought I would find socialising before 08:00am tiresome, but actually it sets me up for the day, good music puts me in a positive mood and the journey allows me to catch up with colleagues outside of work. Not only do we all save money by splitting the cost of fuel each month, but it guarantees a parking space at the office and is much more reliable than rural buses. I feel comfortable car sharing with colleagues because we are familiar, I know where we are travelling to/from and I feel safe in their company. We make it clear to the wider team what days we are car sharing on and if one of us needs to be flexible with our working pattern due to an appointment or event outside of work, we just let management know and agree to make up the time.”
Hear from Oliver Shaw engineering apprentice at Richard Jackson. Oliver currently car shares with Elizabeth at Richard Jackson Smarter Travel.
“I would say car sharing is my most favourable way of traveling to work in comparison to other sustainable modes of travel and including driving alone.
My commute from North Walsham to Norwich typically takes about 45 minutes and I make this journey 5 days a week. I car share at least twice a week, once as a passenger and once as a driver, which allows me to save the cost of one of my journeys to work a week, at about £5, resulting in a total saving of about £230 a year.
I mainly share the journey with one of my friends from North Walsham, who is located along the route. Although I have to divert my usual route to work (making it 10 minutes longer) for my friend’s place of work, it allows extra time in the morning for a catch-up chat and relaxes me for the day.
On some days I also share my commute with a colleague, who is located on the way to work, and this means that we can discuss ideas about work on the way which gets us in the mindset for a productive day.”
In Conclusion: Car sharing is an efficient, easy way to save money, and enjoy your commute.
Together, we can make a difference! Let’s drive change.
For many, this
holiday season is a time for celebrations, good food and get togethers, but it
doesn’t have to cost the earth! (pun intended)
Sustainability isn’t
just about smarter travel, it’s embedded in everything we do. That’s why this
month, we wanted to share some top tips for reducing your carbon footprint and
making seasonal savings!
Gifts
Before heading out
to do your seasonal shopping, why not ask people if there is anything they
need? This way, they will be sure to make the most of your gift, helping to
reduce waste.
Wrapping presents
brings us joy, but it’s important to be mindful of the materials we are using.
Some paper wrapping paper has a plastic lining for strength, but that means it
cannot be recycled, so always check before you buy. Avoid glitter, this is made
of plastic too. Do the scrunch test: if it bounces back, it’s not recyclable.
Sellotape, the UKs
most popular UK brand for tape, is made of polypropylene (PP – Plastic number
5) and cannot be recycled, making any wrapping paper it is attached to
non-recyclable, unless you spend your morning separating it (a messy, time
consuming job). Instead, why not try paper-based alternatives, such as
solvent-free glue, made from natural ingredients, or why not try wrapping with
fabric that can be reused! Watch
this simple fabric wrapping tutorial.
Plastic ribbons and
bows might be beautiful, but landfill isn’t. Why not try paper alternatives or
better yet, try twine that can be reused year after year.
Crackers
40 million dad jokes are thrown
away every year! Look out for plastic-free crackers, available in most UK
supermarkets, or better yet, try fabric crackers that can be reused and
refilled with your own small gifts and inside jokes.
If you’re travelling
home to get together with your loved ones over the holidays, could you cut your
costs and carbon by car sharing?
Daily exercise is
important for overall health and wellbeing, so why not try getting out for a
winter walk. The Ramblers organise walks all year round, check out their
website to find your local group.
From all of us at
Smarter Travel, we’d like to wish you a sustainable holiday season!
In the midst of the UK’s cost of living crisis and a global climate emergency, finding budget-friendly and eco-conscious ways to travel has become more essential than ever. Thankfully, the extended “Get Around For £2” bus scheme and Railcard discounts offer a breath of fresh air for both your pocket and the planet!
Bus Travel
The “Get Around For £2” bus scheme, extended until December 2024, is a game-changer for those feeling the pinch of rising prices. With a single fare for just £2, this initiative eases the burden on your wallet. Plus, it helps cut down on the fuel costs, annual maintenance and parking expenses associated with driving, which are only getting more expensive due to the current economic challenges. Check out the list of routes and operators.
Don’t forget, if you are of state pension age, you can get a FREE ‘Older Person’s Bus Pass’ that enables you to travel for FREE between 09:30-23:00 weekdays and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. Apply now!
If you have a disability that limits how you get around, you can apply for a FREE ‘Disabled Persons Bus Pass’ that enables you to travel for FREE on off-peak services from 09:30am until the last bus of the day on weekdays and all day on weekends and Bank Holidays. Apply now!
Train Travel
For train travellers, various railcards provide substantial discounts, making journeys more affordable. The average Railcard holder saves £140 per year ,with 1/3 off train travel! There are 9 main Railcards to choose from, all of which cost just £30 per year or £70 for 3 years:
According to research by Employee Benefits, 59% of employers offer the season ticket loan scheme to employees. It’s one of the most used schemes available, and for good reason! So, if you travel by train regularly, speak to your employer about the potential for an interest free season ticket loan. Learn more about it here!
Compared to the financial strain of driving solo, these transportation options are a breath of fresh air. They help you cut costs and carbon at the same time. This is especially important as people grapple with the economic challenges of today.
By choosing these options, you can navigate the UK affordably and responsibly, easing the financial pressure on your family while contributing to a sustainable future. It’s a win-win!
Here at Smarter Travel, we want to celebrate International Walk to School Month! It’s a time to unite families in hand and in heart, which is why we’re highlighting some of the amazing health benefits of walking (and cycling):
1. Healthy Heart
Walking for 2.5
hours per week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems by 31% (try
walking for 30 minutes on your lunch break!)
2. Keep Fit
Walking and cycling helps you maintain a healthy body and mind, can be tailored to your level of fitness and intensity so you can go at your own pace.
3. Stress-Less
Moving around can make you feel less stressed, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Just 20-minutes a day is proven to increase brain function, so make sure to take a break during the day to reset! It’s like a natural mood booster!
4. Strong Bones
Walking is gentle on
your joints and can help if you ever have achy knees or hips. Maintaining an
active routine helps to alleviate pain associated with osteoarthritis and other
bone ailments. Biking can increase the bone density in your legs, hips and spine,
therefore making them stronger, so it’s like giving your bones a workout!
5. Live Longer
A study by “The
Lancet” found that people who walked or cycled for 2.5 hours per week
reduced the risk of premature mortality by 22% – worth a shot right?! Regular
physical activity helps to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and types of
cancer, such as breast and colon cancer.
Unlike the gym, walking is completely free and gets you from A to B! Check out the likes of Sustrans, Living Streets and Cycling UK to find local walking and cycling groups, log your physical activities on apps like Strava to monitor your progress and keep you accountable!
Walking and cycling are the smarter ways to travel and we encourage you to do so whenever possible. Click here to complete the Boyton Place Travel Survey and redeem either a £100 active travel voucher OR a £100 cycle voucher for Aero Cycles, based in Haverhill.
Looking to save some cash while making a positive impact? Look no further!
Liftshare Week 2023, taking place from September 18th to 24th, is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Suffolk Car Share community is completely free and flexible, only share on the days that suit you with people you want to!
What’s in it for me?
When it comes to car sharing, the financial benefits are hard to ignore. With the ever-rising costs of fuel, maintenance, and parking, car sharing can significantly lighten the load on your wallet. Sharing with just 1 other person splits the cost of your journey in half! Can you think of a better way to get a 50% discount on fuel?
During Liftshare Week, an enticing incentive awaits – the chance for 5 lucky members to each win a £100 Love2Shop voucher or a Fitbit Charge 5! Join Suffolk Car Share today to be in with a chance to win! Find out more information via the Liftshare.com blog.
It’s about more than just cutting costs, it’s about cutting carbon too. Car sharing plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. Fewer vehicles on the road means less pollution and cleaner air for all. By participating in Liftshare Week, you’re directly contributing to a healthier planet.
Sign Up and Start Saving!
By joining Suffolk Car Share during Liftshare Week, you’ll not only gain access to a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to creating a sustainable society, but also be eligible to win the prize draw! Be part of the movement that cuts costs and carbon!
Sustrans are known for their active travel promotion and charity work, but arguably most famous for their contributions to the national cycling network.
Initially formed in Bristol in July 1977, ‘Sustrans’ started
with a group of cyclists and environmentalists under the name ‘Cycle Bag’.
The founders were motivated by emerging doubts about the desirability of
over-dependence on the private car.
Luck came their way when the Midland Railway line between central Bristol and Bath closed, in favour of the more direct, former Great Western Railway between the cities. The group leased part of the old route and together with many volunteers, as well as the help of the Avon County Council, it was turned it into route number one, the Bristol & Bath Railway Path.
In 1983 the charity Sustrans was officially founded, and during 1995, it was granted a generous £43.5 million from the Millennium Lottery Fund to extend the National Cycle Network, connecting smaller towns and rural areas. Since the birth of Sustrans, they continue to benefit health and wellbeing, the UK’s economy and play a crucial role in connecting the UK by means of sustainable travel.
Figure 1
National Cycle Routes
Fast forward 20 years from the lottery fund, and we are well connected through the gradual implementation and expansion of cycle infrastructure throughout the UK; and it continues to improve. The National Cycle Network is Sustrans biggest project, owning around 2% (271 miles) of the total Network in the UK. The rest belongs to various landowners, who are partly responsible for their own area. However, Sustran are custodians to the National Cycle Route which commits them to maintaining most stretches of the national routes.
In 2020, around a quarter of the National Cycle Network was scrapped on safety grounds, leaving behind 12,739 miles of signed routes. This includes 5,220 miles of traffic-free paths with the remaining 7,519 miles on-road, 163 miles of those are in London. The routes that have been scrapped will be improved and reopened as part of a plan to enhance safety standards to make cycling more enjoyable and accessible for less experienced cyclists.
Sustrans works incredibly hard to maintain these routes, making
them safe and usable for cyclists to commute on and enjoy leisurely rides. The
network has millions of trips annually, including cycling and walking. The aim is
to remove hinderances and implement new infrastructure so that the cycle routes
can be safe and quick to use, in the hope that cycling could one day become the
primary mode of transport.
Areas in the UK have different goals for the development of the National Cycle Network. In London, the National Cycle Network aims to take car trips off the road, relieving congestion because of the growing population. Elsewhere in the UK a lot of revenue is generated through the National Cycle Network, particularly where there are tourist trips. In Scotland, small businesses are growing up along the network, but it’s also about providing the means to travel your regular journey more sustainably.
Community
Other than the infrastructure work, Sustrans have behaviour
changes they have to focus on, working with people to encourage them to cycle
and walk. They have a policy piece where efforts are made to influence the
decision makers in London to do a better job in making cities more liveable.
As a charity, volunteers are the backbone to Sustrans
continued growth and success, and there are several easy ways you can get
involved and help your community.
Look after the National Cycle Network
By picking up litter, cutting back vegetation, if you use a regular route, you can carry out route checks and report anything that is or starting to become a hindrance to users. The cycle route is yours, Sustran designs and maintains routes to the best of their ability, but this is a community asset that if looked after can be useful to all to enjoy all year round.
Protect local wildlife
By becoming a Sustrans wildlife volunteer.Sustrans wildlife volunteers help by keeping records of nature on your local routes, monitoring wildlife, plant and flower growth and creating spaces where people can come and learn about nature and conservation. Making these spaces more than roads and cycle paths, but spaces for people, not machines.
Promote active travel
In your community by supporting people in your local area to be more active. You can run local events, help teach young people in schools to cycle or scoot, lead rides or walks and host information stalls to promote Sustrans.
Have Your Say
Feedback from Smarter Travel surveys indicate that most
residents do not cycle/walk because of unsuitable roads/pathways. As previously
mentioned, The National Cycling Network brings huge benefits to the UK’s
economy and peoples health and wellbeing (see figure 1) So local authorities
need to recognise the benefits and support the network. We have built around
the motorised vehicle for many years, and now is the time to reverse our
actions to benefit our environment, economy, and ourselves for the future.
To find out more on cycling as a primary use of transport
and discover how we can return the streets back to the people, please read our
‘Streets for
The People’ blog.
By definition of the UK government, active travel means making journeys by physically active means.
But it doesn’t have to be limited to walking or cycling, there are many ways you can take part and it doesn’t have to be ‘just making a journey’; it can be fun, whilst benefiting you both mentality and physically.
So, let’s take a look…
A lot of attention is put on cycling as a key player in active travel, and we’re all for it, but what if you don’t like cycling, you’re not the best at it or you’re not confident enough?
Don’t let that stop you from taking part, here are some great alternatives.
Scooters
Something that has caused controversy in the active travel world is the E-scooter. Illegal for personal use on public highways, these scooters are only available to hire from official hiring companies, such as Beryl or Voi. Those that are against e-scooters, are perhaps against the few irresponsible riders that ignore the laws surrounding the scooters; such as no riding on pavements or up one-way streets. However, in Norwich alone, there are some fantastic stats to pull out from trials so far:
Two million kilometres travelled since March 2020 (2 years) – which is equivalent of 50 journeys around the world.
Over a quarter of overall journeys made in Norwich have been replaced by Beryl.
76 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved – equivalent of around 5,073,071 boiled kettles.
Pretty good!
There is also the other type of scooter, perhaps forgotten about slightly, the one that doesn’t do it all for you… The traditional kick scooter.
They’re making a big comeback, and it’s not just children riding them either. People like Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson and TikTok superstar Francois Bourgeois are all strong advocates for scooting.
It’s easy to see why they’re trending, its cheap, fun and doesn’t require a whole lot of skill. They are small and can fold up which makes it super portable; making it easy to take it on public transport and inside buildings.
You can also ride a kick scooter on the pavement as these scooters are not motorised, they are slower, and it would be dangerous to share the space on the road with motorised vehicles. So therefore, this mode of transport may suit those that do not feel confident enough to ride a bicycle and ride it on the road.
Recumbent bike
Still technically a bicycle but not one you’re used to seeing. Recumbent bikes can come in several forms – trike, long wheelbase, and short wheelbase, and when you see one, your first thought isn’t bicycle, more Red Bull Soap Box Race.
Designed for ergonomics, the recumbent bicycle has been directly aimed for comfort and health reasons over the traditional bicycle. They have also have arm powered bikes that have been used as a great way for those with disabilities to remain or get back into cycling. The bike sits at a reclined position with a backrest and no handlebars on most models.
Avoiding the normal upright seated position takes the stress away from your back, glutes, and arms. Especially on the longer rides, this spreads your body weight instead of the stress directly through the top and centre of your body.
Designed for comfort but also for speed, though it may seem strange, they’re actually faster than normal bikes – once you get the hang of it of course.
Due to the seating position, there is less drag, which means cutting through the air with less resistance therefore coming out on top. This is where they get further away from your typical bicycle and closer to a soap box.
So, faster than a regular bike, comfier, better for you and has the capability of bringing home gold in the Red Bull Soap Box Race… what’s stopping you?!
Tandem bike
Never properly taken seriously as a means for commuting, but why not?! Two birds with one stone I say…
Jokes aside, should this be considered a more viable mode of transport? Two seats, three seats or even four seats, could it replace your car on the school run?
Roller Skates
If disco music can make a comeback, so can roller skates.
Much like the scooter, they’re portable, you can skip between public transport such as buses and trains with ease and cruise past regular pedestrians. With some spare shoes in your backpack, the transition to regular footwear is swift with no stress. Along with speeding up your regular commute, it also makes it a little more entertaining. You’ll be able to experience the place you live in, and get a real dopamine kick after the journey, which is going to benefit you both mentally and physically. As after all, this is exercise. Roller skating uses 80% of your body’s muscles and gives you a great cardio workout while burning up to 650 calories an hour.
So, could you blow the cobwebs off your skates and bring the 80’s back?
These active travel methods may not be for everybody, and we appreciate they may have their flaws, but the message is, that active travel doesn’t have to be restricted to just walking and cycling. Dust off your roller skates, try a recumbent bike, scoot to work, the moral is that they’re all going to have positive effects on your day-to-day life. The first step is starting, and the hard part will be stopping!
Active Travel is all about travelling from A to B through
physically active means, such as walking and cycling.
Active travel is at the heart of everything we do at Smarter
Travel. We hope that by doing what we believe in we can encourage others to do
the same.
What does active travel include?
Active Travel simply means making your journeys in
physically active ways. In short, it includes everything that is without the
use of fossil fuels. From walking, cycling, scooting, wheeling, skateboarding,
roller skating…these are all part of it. Travelling actively also means it is greener
and more sustainable!
The Hierarchy
The hierarchy is there simply to help you think about
improving the impact of your journeys. The higher up the hierarchy, the more
active and sustainable the travel option.
As you can see in the
hierarchy, walking is the greenest, cleanest and healthiest way to travel as
the only resource required is yourself, followed by cycling and scooting, where
an equipment is needed for your journey.
Why active travel?
Studies show that just walking for 30 minutes a day can
increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, and boost blood circulation
and more. It then helps reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart
disease, type 2 diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
Our travel coordinator Eden completes all local travel by
foot! She says ‘’ Walking is a great way to get around. No matter how tired I
am, even after a short 10 minute walk, it wakes me up and makes me feel great
about myself, I also get to have some quiet time to myself during my walk.’’
How are you travelling?
Think about your most frequent journey. Is it by car? Or are
you taking the bus?
Here are some facts – Studies show that in 2019,
Transportation was the largest emitting factor of greenhouse gases, equivalent
to 122 million tonnes of CO2 produced.
It is also found that single occupancy vehicles contribute to 82% of emissions per year in the UK.
Out of that, 2/3 of the journeys are actually under 2 miles, which is equivalent to 15-30 minutes of walking time.
With that in mind, does it make you reflect and review your
own travel habits? What about your local grocery shopping? Can you walk or
cycle instead of driving?
If you would like to find more information or learn to
develop an ‘active commute’, please visit the Living Streets website as they have
a wealth of information and tips on how to incorporate more walking into your
day.
Is getting active part of your new year’s resolution?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that getting active means hitting the gym, paying an excessive amount of money for a personal trainer, or running miles to get fit. But in truth, being active does not mean you have to make big lifestyle changes.
You can do
so simply by travelling actively from one point to another.
What does that mean?
Travelling
actively, i.e. Active Travel is one of the most effective and
easy ways to fit in more physical activity into your daily life as well as
contributing to helping the environment, such as improving air quality for
everyone.
Active Travel England describes it as travelling from one
place to another through physically active means. So whenever you swap out your
car journey for scooting, walking, or cycling, they all contribute to Active
Travel!
So how can
you do that? How could you be active and travel at the same time?
Here are some ways you can be active and travel at the same time!
Walk, cycle, scoot or wheel to your local supermarket. Fun fact, an average person can burn 150 calories per hour by simply strolling through the supermarket. So, imagine if you also walked to your local shop too, you would double the gains.
Walk, cycle, scoot or wheel to work. Did you know 2/3 of car journeys are under 2 miles, which is equivalent to 15-30 minutes of walking time? An estimate of 3000-3500 steps is a good proxy for 30 minutes of walking. So, if you are able to walk within 30 minutes to your workplace, why not do so? Read more about how walking every day benefits your overall health!
If
you can’t do your whole journey actively, can you walk, cycle or scoot to your
local train station to catch a train to work? Or can you try to park a bit
further away from your destination and walk/cycle the rest of your way?
Meeting some friends for dinner in the city? If you live or work close by or are under 3 miles away, why not scoot, cycle or walk over instead of driving and worrying about finding a car park?
Overall thoughts
Swapping car journeys and changing up your routine journeys might feel daunting. After all, it is sometimes more convenient to drive. However, active travel is much quicker than you think! Most people overestimate how long it will take them to walk, and underestimate how long it takes to drive.
With better
maintained roads and the help of our digital gadgets, active travel has never
been easier. As we walk into the year of 2023, why not try to get out in nature
more by travelling more actively?
