Walking and cycling brings economic and environmental boost to Bristol
The Sustrans charity have released their latest stats into the positive impact into active travel
Last updated 10th Mar 2024
A new report has found walking and cycling in Bristol has resulted in nearly £390 million in economic benefits to the city every year.
Sustrans have crunched the numbers as part of the annual walking and cycling index.
The city's Mayor, Marvin Rees, has written in the report, adding that people altering their habits has produced ‘amazing changes’ - but he's also admitted ‘there’s still more work to be done’ to deliver a more ‘sustainable present and future'.
Despite adding that plenty has to be done as Bristol and the surrounding West Country works to net zero carbon by 2030, Sustrans has revealed the region has progressed in leaps and bounds, with the following stats:
- 1,045 serious long-term health conditions have been prevented every year
- 30,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved every year
- £383.3 million is gained in economic benefit for individuals across the region every year
- Up to 150,000 cars are taken off the road every single day - with those who choose to walk or cycle
A number of initiatives continue to benefit people, and how they get around, Bristol and Bath - including e-bikes, and recently-introduced e-cargo bikes, with the aim of reducing the need for polluting vehicles.
Cllr Don Alexander said: "We all have a part to play in getting clean air for Bristol. Our e-cargo cycle trial aims to raise awareness of e-cargo cycles and make a positive impact across the city by helping to reduce pollution caused by motor traffic, improve the city’s air quality, and cut congestion.
"The trial encourages local businesses and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint by shifting to more sustainable delivery methods.
"It is open to a wide variety of people, including sole traders, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities and voluntary sector organisations operating within Bristol’s boundaries.
"You can trial an e-cargo cycle for up to three months to decide if they are the right fit for your unique business needs. The council takes care of all the logistics, including providing accessories, maintenance, and two hours of free training."
There are plans, when looking forward, with Sustrans concluding: "Bristol City Council is developing plans to improve several key active travel routes set out in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.
"This includes Concorde Way, Filwood Quietway, Malago Greenway, Old Market Quietway, Deanery Road and Portway.
As outlined in the draft City Centre Development and Delivery Plan, the city centre will be reconfigured to improve safety and accessibility, support sustainable patterns of travel and reduce the impact of vehicles on the public realm. This includes creating more pedestrian priority spaces on streets, improving cycle infrastructure and reducing the severance created by busy roads.
"Working with the West of England Combined Authority, Bristol will be trialling mobility hubs. The trial will bring together established forms of transport with new ones, such as e-scooters, e-cargo bikes, and demand responsive bus services. By bringing different transport services together at these one-stop hubs, it will be easier for people to switch between different forms of transport.
"This will improve connections and make journeys easier while at the same time provide an opportunity to improve public spaces in a way which meets local community and business needs.
"Across the region, allocated funding will go towards installing cycle hangars in local neighbourhoods in Bristol. The project aims to provide secure storage units on residential streets to allow people to safely store their cycles. It follows the installation of 31 cycle hangars at social housing sites across the city, a project that encourages more residents to access the health benefits from cycling."
You can read the full report on the Sustrans website.