More than 50 individuals and organisations gained a closer insight into the county council’s cycling, walking and wheeling ambitions during a forum held at County Hall, Glenfield.
The forum, hosted by the authority’s sustainable travel and transport team, included opportunities to hear about the council’s cycling and walking strategy and to review plans to create local cycling and walking infrastructure plans across the county, some of which are already being consulted on.
As well as the detailing of plans, the forum also shared the varied initiatives that the sustainable travel and transport team run with attendees.
A representative from Active Travel England, the Department for Transport executive agency which provides guidance and funding to local schemes, also gave a presentation on the organisation’s collaboration with the council to improve the county’s active travel options.
We’ve got the ambition to transform the role which cycling, walking and wheeling plays in our transport system – and the forum set out how we intend to do things. Achieving funding streams, though, is vital to the success of these initiatives.
The forum also highlighted how travelling actively also improves people’s health as well as the general air quality around us. It was fantastic to hear from residents how informative and worthwhile the event was.
We’re also really aware that there is some reticence among people around getting on a bike or walking, and that’s to do with safety and feeling comfortable when travelling, so that was also discussed. We want to help people make walking and cycling a natural choice, especially on shorter journeys.
Person:Councillor Ozzy O'Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport
The council will be looking to develop the forum in the future which will include forming closer links with local communities involved in the cycling and walking initiative.
To find out more about the council’s ambitions, visit the Choose How You Move website and the cycling and walking section of the LCC website.