A tough ask at the best of times, but with a jittery public clamouring for a return to the golden era of excess and boundless credit that we knew just a few short years ago, the temptation to try and recreate business as usual is overwhelming.

The temptation, however, should be resisted. The reality is that economic growth and a sustainable future are not easily compatible. Reducing costs and sustainable travel, however, go hand-in-hand. 

The end is nigh for the car scrappage scheme which was designed to boost economic growth by stimulating a faltering car industry. At a cost of £400 million, 355,000 new vans and cars are now gracing our roads. Many may be more efficient than the cars they replace, but factor in the energy used for manufacture and transport, and these newer cars will take many years to pay back the carbon they've generated.

By contrast for less cost the UK could have reduced the number of car journeys by up to 14%. Just by telling people how and where to walk, cycle or catch public transport we could have less congestion, less pollution, more active people, fuller buses and trains, and a reduction in UK carbon emissions by 1 million tonnes.

A recent analysis of transport revealed the cost of "transport harm" in English towns and cities was between £38 and £49 billion annually. This is the combined cost of congestion, accidents, poor air quality, physical inactivity, greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution and the low enjoyment by people of the space around them.

So, for less money we could change travel behaviour and enable finance ministers to save money on health and carbon, whilst also taking us much more quickly to the sustainable and prosperous world we need to achieve. 

That's why Sustrans would love to see the Chancellor grasp the opportunity and use this budget to reform taxation and increase spending on sustainable travel and:

• Invest only in schemes and initiatives that reduce high carbon travel.
• Re-establish a fuel duty escalator UK-wide to reverse the current decline in the cost of motoring.
• Introduce work and retail place parking levies with revenues invested in improving environments for walking, cycling and public transport.
• Establish UK-wide road pricing programmes with revenues invested in improving environments for walking, cycling and public transport.

Is the outlook finally changing for smarter travel in the UK? Well, not exactly.

From ministerial speeches to action, commitment to smarter travel from UK governments couldn't be clearer. Recent action by the Welsh Assembly Government where it's cancellation of a planned extension of the M4 motorway has resulted in a proposed investment in smarter shows real leadership. However, implementation of smarter travel on the ground across the UK is patchy, with many local governments still prioritising motor travel in their plans and strategies. A far cry from programmes that would bring improved health, cleaner air and less congestion.

Conclusive evidence of the benefits of smarter travel from an evaluation of three typical towns in the UK shows that car trips in the towns were reduced by 9%, bus travel increased by up to 22%, cycling by up to 30% and walking by up to 13%. So, why not put lessons learnt into action?

For the situation to improve governments of the UK need to:  

• Establish travel behaviour change programmes using proven, cost-effective techniques to encourage and support people to travel more sustainably within communities and to workplaces, schools, further and higher education, leisure and retail centres
• Give every child and young person the knowledge, skills and confidence to establish the habit of travel by foot and bike early in life.

Sustrans experience is that smarter travel can produce extraordinary results. Results that are proven and ready to be delivered now.

Sustrans' Bike It programme has had enormous success in encouraging children to cycle to school, our Active Travel projects often work with hard-to-reach groups to get them cycling and walking, and our TravelSmart programme has now worked with well over 250,000 households  to enable people to reduce their car use by 10-14%.

But, with every policy paper or speech that extols the virtues of smarter travel, so the gap between aspiration and reality widens. To bridge that gap we must at last see smarter travel mainstreamed into local, regional and national plans as integral parts of national programmes.

The strategy recommends a national shift to walking and cycling and says "we want to support local health and transport partners in working together to make walking and cycling the preferred modes of local transport for the 21^st century". 

Sustrans believes that a major shift from private motor transport to active travel is central to tackling the problems of obesity, climate change, air pollution and road safety. This change can be achieved by re-focusing existing transport budgets on smarter travel choices including walking, cycling and public transport that are sustainable, healthy and improve our quality of life.

As the strategy says, "there is potential to make billions of pounds of savings to the economy through more active travel: other countries like the Netherlands have achieved this and we should do the same." Sustrans, together with the UK's leading public health organisations, last year called on governments to Take Action on Active Travel, so as to beat back the obesity epidemic. If we don't do so, government estimates that by 2050 the wider costs to society of obesity will reach £49 billion per year.

Sustrans has many years experience of successfully promoting travel by foot, bike and public transport. We know that government investment decisions will determine whether or not the strategy can become reality. 

We can continue with growing traffic jams, accelerating climate change and escalating NHS costs, or we can actually save public money, while creating places where walking, cycling and public transport are the natural choice. The journey will recommence with, soon to be made, government funding decisions that will answer English regional transport prioritises that currently favour road-building by some three to one.

The Active Travel Strategy is a joint publication by the departments of Health and Transport.

The race starts at Sustrans busy HQ in Bristol and follows an 8,408km circular route, passing through every single Sustrans Bike It town and city in the UK. You even get to cycle past your own school!

There are many fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a day with a mountain bike team, cycle helmets, bike workstands and toolboxes. All you have to do is cycle to school as often as possible during the month-long race and the prizes could be yours.

If you would like your school to be involved speak to your Bike It officer.

About Bike It

Bike It is a Sustrans project that is enabling many thousands of children to cycle to school everyday. It does this by helping schools to make the case for cycling in their school travel plans; supporting cycling champions in schools and demonstrating that cycling is a popular choice amongst children and their parents; and, most importantly, giving children the skills and information they need to cycle so their parents can have the peace of mind to let them.

Each Bike It officer engages with at least twelve schools every year to create a positive cycling culture that continues long after the Bike It officer has finished with them.

Coast & Castles 2010 is a 170 mile, three day adventure from the breathtaking Scottish capital city of Edinburgh to the jewel in the northern crown of Newcastle.

It's being organised in aid of Sustrans by Charity Adventure, a not for profit group of volunteers who are renowned for their hospitality and enthusiasm. Craz and his team will cater for you brilliantly as well as providing emotional and moral support when you need it.

Participants will meet in the morning of Saturday 24^th of July in Edinburgh and head off to Berwick-upon-Tweed, some 68 miles away, taking in some beautiful countryside and coastal sections on National Cycle Network Route 76. There will be a lunch stop near Dunbar.

Sunday morning sees the riders start the 50 mile route to Alnmouth, with a lunch stop near the impressive Bamburgh Castle. The third day is another 50 mile ride to the city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, stopping near Seaton Sluice for lunch.

This year, riders are invited to raise as much as they can for Sustrans and will get fundraising ideas and resources from Sustrans' supporters team to help them, There will also be some exciting incentives and prizes for those who raise the most money.

If you like the sound of this, and are free between the 24th and 26th of July, visit the Charity Adventure website at charityadventure.org.uk to sign up. You can register now for this incredible experience for just £25, but hurry as places are selling fast!

The prices for the ride are:

Hotel accommodation, based on 2 sharing a twin/family room, £145
Luxury rock tour bus, £110
Camping, £85

If you have any further queries, please call Charity Adventure on 07800 554765 or email info@charityadventure.org.uk

Cereal revolutionaries Rude Health make deliciously healthy cereals, porridge and muesli, and are kindly donating breakfast for this event. Visit their website www.rudehealth.com for more information.

Sharing a few hours of romantic bliss with the one you love can be enjoyed in every corner of the UK on the National Cycle Network, or the National Cupid Network as we like to call it.

Here are a few of our favourite romantic cycle rides:

Cornwall

The Cornish Way reveals a rich variety of landscape from hidden coves to windswept moorland. Treat your partner along the way by organising a surprise visit to one of Cornwall's finest attractions, including the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. There are also plenty of quaint fishing villages along this route with charming cafes that offer a romantic cream tea for two.

Cardiff

Picture a fairytale castle rising above beautiful beech woodland.  This is the spectacular scene of Castell Coch, an impressive 19^th-century Gothic Revival castle built on the remains of a genuine 13^th-century fortication. Make the most of this stunning vista by taking a cycle ride from Cardiff Bay and head along the Taff Trail until you reach Tongwynlais. 

Edinburgh

Scotland's enchanting capital is one of the UK's most romantic cities with its magnificent architecture and beautiful castle. Make the most of a romantic getaway with a cycle ride through Scotland's dramatic countryside. The Edinburgh to Aberdeen route via Dundee crosses the Firth of Forth into the kingdom of Fife with its stunning scenery providing the perfect backdrop for a romantic picnic.

Cambridgeshire

Cambridge is not only one of the UK's most cycle-friendly cities, it is also home to a great spread of outstanding architecture, medieval streets, gardens and bridges all waiting to be explored during a romantic city break. Start off with a leisurely stroll around Cambridge then head towards Bottisham alongside the River Cam where you could always stop off and hire a punt.

Northern Ireland

The Giant's Causeway, a world heritage site, is steeped in myths and legends and offers a fantastic destination for a scenic ride along Ireland's north coast. Between Castlerock and Giant's Causeway, there are many side trips to explore off the main route, such as the 18^th-century Mussenden Temple, a small circular building on the cliffs just west of Castlerock. A trip to the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery is also worth a visit.

Lake District

Already famous for the romance of its landscape for walkers, the Lake District also has some wonderful cycle routes.  For a gentle ride, we recommend the Keswick to Threlkeld route which is small in distance yet rich in its atmosphere and array of scenery, including the beautiful tree-clad Greta Gorge. Start off in Keswick and visit the all year round Theatre by the Lake. The ride will then take you east towards the charming village of Threlkeld which lies in the shadow of the Blencathra Mountain.

Warwickshire

The Stratford Greenway is a relaxed traffic-free ride along a disused railway and canal towpath, taking you close to the centre of town where you can muse upon some of literature's greatest love stories. A visit to Stratford-On-Avon offers the perfect opportunity to stop for the evening, enjoy dinner for two and then head to the theatre to watch the romantic classic, Romeo and Juliet.

Can't see a ride near you? Why not browse our selection of rides by region.

Get them out in the fresh air and enjoy a great time together. Walking and cycling are fun, healthy, free and a great way to spend time with family and friends. With a bit of planning and preparation you should be able to enjoy a great walk or cycle ride.

Choose somewhere to visit with lots of interest such as to the zoo, a city farm, a bird reserve, to the playground or a National Trust property. You could even explore new areas or visit family and friends.

Top tips for half-term walking and cycling trips

• take snacks and drinks to keep energy levels up
• if cycling in the dark or poor light, check bike lights are working
• if walking or cycling in the dark wear high visibility clothing
• keep warm and dry (take extra clothing and waterproofs - just in case).
• Don't forget children in bike seats won't be generating heat like the person doing all the pedalling
• if cycling in a group make sure there is an adult at the front and one at the back. If there is only one adult, stay at the rear, keeping an eye on the children in front
• take a camera and record your trip

Want to know where to walk and cycle?

We have a selection of easy, family-friendly and attractive routes to get you going. Find a suitable ride in your region.

Alternatively, why not use our mapping search to find out where to walk and cycle from home? Just enter your postcode and we'll show you local walking and cycling routes as well as helping you to discover your local community.

Send for a free information pack to help you get out and about by bike.

Further information can be found in our Cycling with children leaflet (pdf) and in the newly published Cycling in the UK guide.

On Tuesday 19 January, our 'Motion for Women' petition, which attracted nine thousand signatures of support from people across the UK, was delivered - by bike naturally - to the House of Commons and formally presented to Sadiq Khan, the Minister for Transport. 

Meanwhile in Cardiff, Rosemary Butler, the National Assembly for Wales' Deputy Presiding Officer, who learned to cycle last year with help from Sustrans Cymru, received the petition on the steps of The Senedd.  Whilst Scotland's Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, accepted the petition outside Scottish Government in Edinburgh.

At all three governments, we made a statement by asking local women, who want to feel safe enough to make more everyday journeys by bike, to hand over the petition.

Terry Cassels, a Sustrans bike belle in Essex who has been blogging, reviewing women's cycling equipment and shared her cycling experiences on our bike belles website, helped present the petition at Westminster: 'It was incredibly exciting to visit the House of Commons, where so many important decisions and so much history is made, and be able to represent the 9,000 signatories who all want a safer space to cycle in. 

'The Minister seemed genuinely interested in what we were asking for and promised to consider it seriously.  It's a really positive step in working towards a more cycle-friendly nation.' 

The petition - backed by organisations including Mind, the National Federation of Women's Institutes, the Townswomen's Guilds, Women in Rural Enterprise and Zest magazine - was launched in September in response to research from Sustrans that showed a staggering 79 per cent of women in Britain never cycle at all.  The most common reason women gave for not cycling was not feeling safe enough, and 67 per cent of women believe that cycle lanes entirely separated from other traffic would encourage more women to cycle.

Thanks to all who signed and circulated the petition.  We will keep you informed on how the governments respond.

Cash strapped staff and students at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University can make their dwindling bank balances stay in the black for longer by travelling around the city for less.

Sustrans is working alongside Nottingham City Council on this city-wide project to get staff and students on their bikes.

Ucycle Nottingham is giving staff and students the chance to:

• Boost their cycle skills and confidence by taking part in free cycle training
• Get discounts on cycling lights, locks and other accessories from local bike stores
• Gain advice from cycling experts at a series of awareness events
• The project will also create new cycle routes in and around the city's university and hospital campuses.

When you consider that the average household budget spends one in every six pounds on travel, using a bike for everyday journeys is one of the easiest ways to save cash. Once you're kitted out with the right bike and accessories you can get around for practically nothing.

The project team hopes that by showing staff and students the benefits of walking and cycling more often while they have a real incentive to do so will give them good travel habits which will stay with them when they begin their careers.

The project is modeled on the successful UTravelActive scheme that encourages students and staff at Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University to walk or cycle to benefit their health. The project has had great success with Velocampus Leeds, a bike loan scheme which involves loaning new bikes to students.

Ucycle Nottingham is a natural progression from Sustrans' Bike It project, which is doubling the number of children cycling on a daily basis at its schools. And hopefully these higher education projects will encourage universities and hospitals across the country to work with Sustrans on similar schemes.

For further information regarding Ucycle email: ucyclenottingham@sustrans.org.uk

More details on UTravelActive.

Getting fit

British people gain an average of 5lbs over the four-week Christmas period, so it's little wonder that the most common resolutions focus on improving our health in some way.

It can help to start small, like finding half an hour to walk to work or cycle to the shops a couple of times a week - much easier than setting aside whole evenings for the gym! A typical 30 minute cycle burns around 186 calories, equivalent to a Cadbury's creme egg, whilst a steady 30 minute walk burns 105 calories, equivalent to two fingers of KitKat, so it will soon start to show results. 

Some find that setting a bigger goal helps to motivate them, so why not consider signing up for Sustrans' three-day Coasts and Castles challenge ride? It takes place on 24, 25 and 26 July 2010. Email events@sustrans.org.uk for more details.

The cost of things like gym membership and diet products soon adds up, so cycling and walking can help you tighten your belt in more ways than one, which is the topic of another popular resolution...

Saving cash

Christmas for the average family in Britain costs around £500, which means that many people will be starting the new year by pledging to watch their wallets.

Car costs can be a significant part of a family's expenditure; for instance, those on low wages in Wales that have a car spend around a quarter of their income on motoring. So, finding alternative ways to travel can help. A bike costs around just £75 a year to maintain (compared to £273 each year for a car) and that can be reduced even further by doing simple bike maintenance at home. Putting an old bike back on the road is the most cost-effective way of taking to two-wheels. But if that isn't possible you can make a significant saving - typically around 30 to 50 per cent - on buying a new bike through the Government's Cyclescheme.

If your employer isn't part of Cyclescheme then encourage them to find out more about it. Take a look at our Active Travel in the Workplace toolkit for more ideas.

Remember though, that cutting your spending doesn't mean you have to cut support for your favourite charity. There are other ways to give that won't cost you a thing and will leave you with a warm, contented glow even in this cold winter weather.

Making time

Giving time can be far more rewarding than giving cash. Sustrans has around 2,800 volunteers across the country, each giving us around five hours of their time every month. They help us in a variety of different ways.

Many are rangers, meaning they help to look after the 12,000 miles of National Cycle Network across the UK. Others attend events and shows to help spread the word about Sustrans, some raise money through sponsored cycles or coffee mornings, while others help inspire children to cycle to school. However much free time you can spare, or whatever skills you can offer, there is a role to suit you. Visit our volunteering pages to find out more.

Pupils at Devonshire Hill have transformed the school run in London by creating their own events to encourage classmates onto their bikes, including an end of term water fight where teachers were pelted with water balloons and wet sponges as they cycle around the playground.

Six Bike It officers are typically doubling cycling levels through events such as Bling Your Bike challenges, free bike breakfasts and basic mechanic sessions to repair punctured bicycles.

They engaged with nearly 20,000 pupils in the last academic year. And the results are impressive:

• 8 per cent of children said they now cycle to school every day, up from 4 per cent before Bike It
• 22 per cent of children said they now cycle to school at least once or twice a week, compared to 12 per cent beforehand
• The percentage of children who said they never cycle to school dropped from 78 to 63 per cent

Each Bike It officer works with up to 12 schools each year, followed by ongoing support as required.

Nearly half of children say they want to cycle to school and Bike It officers work to overcome the barriers which prevent them doing so. These can include low bike ownership, cultural norms, fear of busy roads, restrictive school policies and issues over bike crime and theft.

Sustrans, which launched Bike It in London in 2006, is piloting the School Mark this year to ensure the newly created cycling culture continues long after the Bike It officer moves on.

Find out more about Bike It.

Photo supplied by David Tothill / Haringey Council

In Dumfries, the viaduct over the river Nith was opened last year so that the 25,000 people living within a mile of the scheme can now walk or cycle to school, work or the town centre. Construction has begun on providing key travel links from Bristol to North Somerset, and along the Bridgewater Canal at Sale in Cheshire. At Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, the local schools are looking forward to a safer route being in place by Spring and in Cardiff the new bridge connecting the city centre to Penarth is emerging from the water and will complete a leisure and commuter route that will transform residents' everyday travel.

In Bradford, the innovative bridge designs have been completed and this route will transform local transport in the city. Also at Rhyl in North Wales, the designs for a bridge over the River Clwyd have been approved and this route will provide a much safer way to travel within the town and will breathe new life into local tourism as it connects the town to the coastal path.

Key bridges have been built and opened on routes across the UK including ones at Watermead Park in Leicestershire, Tower Hamlets in London, and Newtownabbey in Northern Ireland. These bridges provide valuable links for people to access amenities and leisure facilities without having to use their cars.

Meanwhile, in Worcester the city centre routes will soon include the completed Diglis bridge over the river Severn, and at Dartford, work to reconnect people to the shops, schools and green spaces is underway and this Darent Valley Path has won a civil engineering award.

Communities are also involved in creating public art along the routes in the form of Portrait Benches which will celebrate local icons and reflect the individual nature of each scheme.

The Connect2 landscape has begun to take shape across the UK with 30 schemes already under construction to help people broaden their travel options in ways that benefit their health and their environment.

National Cycle Network route: 8

This ride is jam-packed with a range of shops, cafes and pubs, including George III pub on the water's edge at Penmaenpool which is a popular resting point offering excellent food. Along the route, watch out for the rich variety of birdlife as you soak up the stunning scenery across the mouth of the estuary and over towards the seaside town of Barmouth where the route finishes.

View this route on our online mapping.

National Cycle Network route: 4

This ride starts in Kidwelly, famous for its impressive castle which looks even more dramatic on a winter's day when the cold air whips up around its huge towers. The cycle route offers splendid views across the Loughor estuary to the hills of the Gower peninsula. Along the way many cyclists enjoy a visit to the Discovery Centre which is located in the heart of the Millennium Coastal Park and is a perfect place to stop and recharge the batteries over a warm brew.

View this route on our online mapping.

National Cycle Network route: 71

Small in distance yet rich in its atmosphere and array of scenery, this is a gentle ride in the Lake District which will take you through the beautiful tree-clad Greta Gorge. Keswick, on the west end of the path, is a thriving market town and centre for outdoor activities. Start your trip by fuelling up at one of Keswicks many cafes and visit the all year round Theatre by the Lake. The ride will take you east towards the delightful village of Threlkeld which lies in the shadow of the Blencathra Mountain.

View this route on our online mapping.

National Cycle Network route: 7

Broken down into sections or enjoyed as a more challenging ride to burn off the Christmas excess, this route has plenty to offer for wildlife fans so bring a pair of binoculars. Included on the ride is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Washington which is a haven for overwintering migratory waterbirds, and has large flocks of curlews and redshanks. Between Stanley and Beamish you will pass the mysterious Hell Hole Wood which is part of the Great North Community Forest.

View this route on our online mapping.

National Cycle Network route: 5, 81

Enjoy delicious festive food and drink at Birmingham's colourful Christmas Market and Craft Fair before heading out on a winter cycle ride which conveniently starts a stone's throw away from the market at New Street Station. There have been many sightings of otters on Birmingham's canal network so enjoy this cycle ride at a leisurely pace whilst looking out for wildlife. The path also passes the Galton Valley Heritage Centre which is ideal for exploring the industrial history of the area.

View this route on our online mapping.

National Cycle Network route: 1

For a leisurely start to your ride, warm up over a hot drink in the bustling town of King's Lynn before picking up the cycle path at the railway station. This traffic-free route will take you to the beautiful village of Castle Rising which boasts an impressive 12^th century castle and 17^th century almshouses. Continue along Route 1 and you'll soon arrive at the Royal Estate of Sandringham where tea is served in the visitor centre. The route continues westwards for the coast of Shephard's Port.

View this route on our online mapping.

National Cycle Network route: 41

Escape into the countryside for a breath of fresh air and enjoy Gloucestershire's winter scenery. This route leads south of Gloucester to Frampton-On-Severn where there are plenty of attractive village shops and cosy pubs in which to relax. Head further south and you will arrive at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust which is home to the world's largest collection of swans, geese and ducks, offering an ideal day out for the whole family during winter.

View this route on our online mapping. An ROS08 OS Tour 8 Cotswolds & Gloucestershire map is available to purchase from the Sustrans shop.

National Cycle Network route: 77

This gentle ride starts in Perth where an attractive network of Georgian streets is worth exploring for Christmas shopping ideas before the journey begins. Route 77 can be picked up by Perth station and continues alongside the River Tay before heading through the pretty village of Pitcairngreen to Bankfoot where you'll find the Scottish Liqueur Centre with its free samples to keep you warm! On arrival in Dunkeld, either ride back to Perth, return by train or continue northwards to Pitlochry.

View this route on our online mapping.