Active Travel Strategy
Active Travel is any form of transport that is primarily based on physical activity, such as walking, wheeling, and cycling. This includes the use of traditional bikes, e-bikes, and other micro-mobility devices to support day-to-day trips.
It also includes using active means for parts of longer journeys. For instance, walking and cycling to/from the bus stop or train station are active trips as they involve active travel in the first stage.
The strategy supports:
- The step-change in national transport, climate, and health policy towards more active lifestyles and a move towards a just transition to net zero.
- Recognition of diversity and no one-size-fits-all solution. Success will require a bespoke, place-based approach to settlements of varying types and scales across the region.
- Inequalities need to be tackled, not exacerbated.
- Communities need to be supported to make informed travel choices.
- Making our towns and villages more active and attractive for residents and tourists will keep our citizens healthy and offer opportunities to the local economy.
Item 6 of the below agenda of the Communities Committee of 6 October 2022 includes a draft of the adopted strategy which can be found at the below link:
Dumfries and Galloway Active Travel Strategy 2 and Delivery Plan 2022-2032
This page will be updated once the published strategy document becomes available.
Vision and Delivery
Following the consultation with members of the public, partner organisations and other civic groups based in Dumfries and Galloway we developed a long-term active travel vision for the region:
Dumfries and Galloway will be an active region with accessible, reliable and safe routes that connect communities and will embrace a culture that promotes active and sustainable travel for both urban and rural areas.
Becoming an active region means that:
- Residents, tourists and visitors have active opportunities to enjoy public spaces and the outdoors for leisure or exercise and can reach key destinations for everyday functional trips by active modes, including partially active trips supported by public transportation.
- Communities are actively encouraged to take part in projects and initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and make use of active travel infrastructure to help our towns and villages be more sustainable and meet our net-zero ambition.
To achieve the vision, this strategy will be a platform to promote:
- More partnerships across the public, private and third sectors to encourage active travel.
- Evidence-based objectives to respond to both rural and urban locations.
- Inclusive place-making to shape places collaboratively with the community.
- Actions to build on the uptake of active travel.
- A delivery plan to contribute to sustainability, net-zero and green recovery targets with review milestones.
Beyond the strategic statements that support this vision, there will be a need for continuing internal and external engagement.
External partnerships will help us speed up the implementation of carbon-friendly and accessible transportation options, spaces for active recreation and liveable neighbourhoods to make active travel truly accessible for all.