Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have launched a new website to encourage people to walk, wheel, or cycle for regular journeys instead of driving.
The Travel Actively Cumbria website provides residents with everything they may need to know on travelling actively for everyday journeys across the area. It includes a journey planner, information on how to get started with active travel, alongside details of news and events, and inspirational stories from local people.
The website is being celebrated today, Wednesday 2 April, at two events in Carlisle and Barrow that are taking place from 10am to 4pm.
At the Barrow launch event located outside the Town Hall and the Forum, people can get their bikes serviced or fixed for FREE thanks for the volunteers from Dr Bike Cycle Maintenance. A fleet of electric bikes will be available to try alongside group walks around the town centre and a chance to win vouchers for local bike suppliers.
The Active Cumbria team will also be on hand to talk about the new website and how walking, wheeling or cycling more can boost health and happiness.
Cllr John Murray, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “It’s great to have these events in Barrow and Carlisle today to launch this new website. It really is an excellent resource to get people more active when they are doing those regular journeys and shows the power of partnership working for the benefit of people across Cumbria.
“We’re hoping to speak to lots of people today and hopefully they will be inspired to dust off the bike in the garage or put on their walking shoes next time they are popping to the shops.
“Today is just the beginning. We’re also investing in more infrastructure across Cumbria to help people make more active journeys and aspire to meet our ambitious active travel targets in the coming years.”
Speaking about the website launch and event, Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: “I’m really pleased with the launch of this great new website. Increasing levels of physical inactivity and weight-related health issues are a real concern for us, and one of the best ways to stay active is to incorporate it into your daily lives. It’s good for your health, your wallet, and it’s better for the environment.
“The new website has everything you need to start walking, wheeling or cycling more, including inspirational stories from people across Cumbria. It forms part of our strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents. I’d encourage people to go online and check it out for themselves.
“A short walk to the shops instead of using the car will make a big difference to creating a healthier and happier you.”
Choosing to walk, wheel or cycle rather than drive can provide health and wellbeing benefits while also helping the environment.
Many everyday journeys in our urban areas are within reasonable walking (1 mile) and cycling (3 miles) distance so can be done actively.
In line with the Government’s national ambition, councils in Cumbria would like to get half of all journeys in the county’s towns and city made by walking, wheeling and cycling by 2030.
The website is being delivered as a partnership between Active Cumbria, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, with funding from the Government.
To explore the website, please visit www.travelactively.co.uk .