Active travel

Did you know that walking and cycling is better for the environment, physical and mental health?

Encourage patients and staff to walk or cycle

Explain the cardiovascular and respiratory benefits of active travel in daily life

Promote local walking groups and cycle to work schemes

Install bike racks for patients and staff if not already in place

It is well recognised that travel and transport will play a significant role in addressing sustainability and reducing carbon emissions across primary care in LLR. There have been ongoing actions across the region and by individual members to facilitate the transition to sustainable modes of transport. Walking and cycling not only reduce air pollution but also increase physical activity, having benefits on physical and mental health.

Air pollution poses a huge threat to our health. In the UK, it is responsible for between 28,000 and 36,000 excess deaths a year, largely due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, with estimated health costs of £8.5 to £20.2 billion.

Practices can support active travel by:

Encouraging patients and staff to walk or cycle to work and visits where possible.
Promoting Clear Air Day https://www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/campaigns/clean-air-day.
Considering conducting a travel survey of staff and patients to find out how they can be encouraged and supported to walk or cycle to the practice.

Signing up to a Cycle to Work scheme.
Considering installing bike racks for patients and staff if they are not available nearby. Funding may be available for the above through local councils.
Where active travel is not possible, by using public transport as a way to reduce air pollution.

Click here for active travel resources

Information about air pollution for patients and staff and what can be done to avoid it, including resources for Clean Air Day: Clean Air Knowledge Hub for the Health Sector (actionforcleanair.org.uk)

Guidance on air pollution and health risks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-air-pollution/health-matters-air-pollution

Having conversations about air pollution: https://www.healthyconversationskills.co.uk/air-quality

The ‘Choose How You Move’ webpage provides advice on the Highway code, information about the county’s park and ride facilities, helps plan journeys, and advertises a £300 discount to Leicestershire residents on the cost of an e-bike: …A smarter way to travel for Leicester and Leicestershire > Choose How You Move

Cycling is great way to get around a busy city. It’s healthy, environmentally friendly, and affordable. Below is a link to find out about cycle training courses and view cycle maps: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/cycling-in-leicester/

Example staff travel survey: https://seesustainability.co.uk/resources