Bike Worcester welcomes launch of first City Council Active Travel Plan
On Monday 12 June 2023, councillors on Worcester City Council Health and Wellbeing Committee, approved the first Active Travel Plan for 2023-25. This plan has been prompted by the Government target for shifting 50% of urban journeys from cars to active travel (cycling and walking) by 2030. Bike Worcester attended the council meeting to speak, and are delighted to be invited to 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 that as a city, we now have an Active Travel Plan. It’s fantastic news that the City Council are demonstrating political leadership and taking a forward-thinking approach. Their dedication to promoting active travel is encouraging, and the fact the plan is a live document, that 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 that 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 is an active member of Bike Worcester, who cycles to work and helps on two of the school Bike Bus routes, set up by Bike Worcester. She said “I'm delighted to hear that the City Council is taking such a positive approach - it's really sensible. Bike Worcester is in a perfect position to lend a hand in improving the Active Travel Plan and working together with the City Council. 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. It’s a very inclusive approach, making active travel safer and easier for everyone, whether it's for commuting, going to school, or just for fun. The more partnerships that are built in Worcester to make this a reality, the better it is for everyone.”Worcester News recently reported that Worcestershire County Council has been given a score of zero by Active Travel England, based on infrastructure and political leadership. It was awarded the lowest score among all councils assessed by Active Travel England regarding their active travel plans. Bike Worcester remains optimistic that the City Council’s example will inspire Worcestershire County Council to reassess and enhance their own active travel plans, fostering positive changes throughout the region.Bike Worcester’s current popular active travel initiatives 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 a charity of your choice, which offers a great incentive to try active travel. More volunteers are always welcome to help with active travel initiatives, and can get in touch via their website.Bike Worcester was set up 5 years ago and represents a growing community of hundreds of local people based in and around Worcester who are fans of using the bicycle as a regular way of getting around. They are making genuine progress, encouraging more people, including families and children, to use their bikes, especially for short journeys within the City.You can find Bike Worcester’s blog with further detail of Worcester City’s Active Travel Plan on our website bikeworcester.org.uk/blog Further information is available on Bike Worcester’s website www.bikeworcester.org.uk and Search @BikeWorcester on Twitter.
