In Scotland half of short journeys of 1 – 2 km are made by car, and two-thirds of all car journeys are made alone. If that’s you, could you make a change?
Active travel is a journey with an element of being active like walking and cycling but also includes using public transport as this usually includes a walk or cycle.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing – could you leave the car behind just one or two days a week? You’ll be making a positive step towards improving your health and doing your bit for the environment.
What if my journey is too long for active travel?
Active travel doesn’t have to be the whole of your journey. There are lots of ways that part of the total journey could be done more actively, and with a lower environmental impact.
Try parking somewhere further away from your destination to cut vehicle miles and walk or take the bike in the car and cycle some of the way. If the bus stop isn’t near your house, could you walk or cycle there?
Changing habits always takes extra effort at first, but you’ll soon notice the benefits.
Forth environment link
Our mission is to increase the number of active travel journeys made through improving skills, knowledge, confidence, and access to bikes.
Through our information service, skills, training and events programme we aim to increase the number of everyday cycling and walking journeys to help:
- Support communities to be more resilient in adapting to a changing climate
- Reduce air pollution
- Improve overall health and wellbeing
You can visit their Falkirk or Stirling Active Travel Hub to help plan any active travel needs you have, and they will be happy to help.
Forthbike
Forth Bike promotes short and long cycle trips within communities and helps residents, tourist destinations and services be better connected.
Useful links
- Recyke-a -Bike: A registered charity who are passionate about cycling. They use bike recycling as work experience for members and sell modestly priced recycled bikes. “I never thought I would see the day my son would manage to ride a bike. Thank you so much for giving my son this opportunity.”
- Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling: Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling will transform Stirling by creating two active travel transport corridors, making it easier for people to walk and cycle into the city centre, as well as creating places for people to rest, play and connect. For more information visit the website or email walk-cycle-live@stirling.gov.uk
- Falkirk Cycling Routes: Tips for everything from the best Falkirk cycle routes to which cafes to visit and which local delicacies to try!
- Paths For All Workplace Walking Course: This is an interactive online course which will help you get colleagues moving more in and around the working day. This course will provide you with ideas, knowledge and skills to develop and deliver a successful workplace walking initiative.
- PFA Walking with Nature Backpack Kits: we have created an easy to carry, fully waterproof Walking with Nature backpack kit containing a tool bag and a nature bag with easy-to-use equipment. Taking the backpack kits out on group walks or cycles can be an easy way to get more people tidying up overgrown or litter strewn paths.
- Couch To Cycle: Increase your fitness and confidence on the bike by completing this 8-week programme of weekly rides and skill sessions.