CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a new active travel plan for Worcester to encourage more residents to make more journeys by walking or cycling.
This plan has been prompted by the Government target for shifting 50 per cent of urban journeys from cars to cycling and walking by 2030.
Community group Bike Worcester attended last week’s Worcester City Council meeting and welcomed the chance to have input to improving the plan and identifying areas it can help deliver, in partnership with the City Council.
Chair of Bike Worcester, Danny Brothwell, said: “Bike Worcester is pleased as a city, we now have an Active Travel Plan.
“It’s fantastic news the city council is demonstrating political leadership and taking a forward-thinking approach.
“Its dedication to promoting active travel is encouraging, and the fact the plan is a live document, which will continue to develop with input from the steering group and local stakeholders.
“We are keen to help the Active Travel plan address some of the key priority improvements city residents need, such as, providing a safe route for cycling through the city centre and identifying common short journeys where shifts to cycling and walking could be made, for example, around schools.
“It’s essential road modifications provide improvements for cycling and walking, not as an after-thought or not at all.
“We invite councillors to lead by example and be visible championing active travel, as it has so many benefits for anyone who lives, works and visits Worcester.”
Chantal Pottage, who is an active member of Bike Worcester, cycles to work and helps on two of the school Bike Bus routes, set up by Bike Worcester.
“Bike Worcester is in a perfect position to lend a hand in improving the Active Travel Plan and working together with the city council,” she said. “We have grassroots experience of what’s working and not, for helping people get active with their travel – that’s mainly cycling but there are lots of walkers, runners, scooters and skaters involved too.”
Bike Worcester’s current popular active travel ideas include School Bike Buses, a monthly Kidical Mass organised family bike ride, a Bike Recycling project with old bikes refurbished and going to people in need, and the SHIFT scheme, where businesses are encouraged to make a small donation for every kilometre cycled by employees to charity
Visit bikeworcester.org.uk/blog for more on the new plan or follow @BikeWorcester on Twitter for more.
