Active Travel Related Projects
British Heart Foundation Project - The Dings
British Heart Foundation Project - The Dings
Sustrans has worked with the University of Bristol on a British Heart Foundation study to evaluate how physical activity behaviour has ben affected by an extension to the National Cycle Network and the development of a Home Zone.
The study focuses on the Dings Home Zone in Bristol. A Home Zone is a group of streets designed primarily to meet the interests of pedestrians and cyclists rather than motorists. The Dings Home Zone
In addition, a new link has been constructed between the Dings Home Zone and the Bristol and Bath Railway Path - a major walking and cycling route for recreation and commuting.
Route User Survey 2005 - The Dings, Bristol (summary)
Route User Survey 2005 - The Dings, Bristol (full report)
A Lifestyle Survey conducted in December 2003 explored the residents' perceptions of their current health and lifestyle. The findings will act as a comparison for a future survey once the developments are completed.
Above: a recent photograph of Birkin Street and an image of how the area might look following the development of the Dings Home Zone
Below: before and after images of Oxford Street
Exeter Walking Project
The Exeter Walking Project is a partnership between Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and Sustrans set up to encourage more walking in the city as an environmentally friendly way of travelling and improving health. The project has a number of strands:
- Improving walking routes to key destinations, including the creation of some new links
- a new river crossing for pedestrians was opened in November 2002 and is proving highly popular
- developing more leisure routes, especially a circular walk around the city linking all the major green spaces
- improving route signing with more use of waymarking, and times to destinations on signs
- encouraging safe walking routes to schools as part of school travel plans
- promoting walking for health for the least fit, by instigating a programme of led walks and self-guided walk leaflets. The project is called "Stepping Out" and is led by the Exeter Primary Care Trust. Walks are led by trained volunteers on six days per week from three locations in the city. GP referrals to the scheme provide some of the walkers.
A five-year programme of infrastructure improvements has been agreed with the local authorities and is now being implemented.
Exeter Walking Project website
For further information contact Peter Grainger at peterg@sustrans.org.uk
Somer Valley Wheels
Somer Valley Wheels is a partnership between the Brighter Futures group, Bath and NE Somerset Council and Bath and NE Somerset Primary Care Trust. The scheme, which runs guided cycle rides for anyone over the age of 15 years, was launched 18 months ago and has so far attracted 120 members.
The project is based in Radstock close to the Colliers Way section of National Cycle Network 24 and runs three rides every week, ranging from easy to explorer. Participants receive instruction on cycling skills and personal safety as well as basic bike maintenance, and can either bring their own bike or hire one.
In October 2008 Somer Valley Wheels celebrated its 1000th bike ride by members of the project, and it is estimated that riders has travelled up to 40,000 miles in total. The project is hoping to expand to other areas in Bath and North East Somerset and hopes to work with youth and other hard to reach groups.
Somer Valley Wheels is supported by the National Lottery through Awards for All.
For more information please visit the Somer Valley Wheels website, or contact Eugene Kertzman on 07972 014 448 / eugene_kertzman@bathnes.co.uk
Other projects
- BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health
- Groundwork Wrexham - Walking the Way to Health
- Move4Health
- 'Pedal Back the Years' courses and guided walks - Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
- SMARTways - Walking, cycling, public transport, car sharing and healthy activity in North Lanarkshire
- Walking the Way to Health Initiative
- Wandsworth's active living map