People urged to change their travel behaviour

People in Hull are being encouraged to Walk It, Bike It or Bus It for a cleaner, greener and healthier city.

For just one day a week, people who travel around Hull are being encouraged to swap their cars for walking, cycling or public transport.

The call comes as part of the city’s commitment towards encouraging people to choose active and sustainable travel to reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

The Walk It, Bike It, Bus It campaign is asking residents to be part of the journey towards changing travel, as the city works towards developing an environment that can facilitate sustainable transport options for people from all walks of life.

As part of plans to increase active travel, a new walking map has been developed. It identifies 12 urban walking routes across Hull.

The walks range from 1.5 miles to 3 miles and are available on https://www.travelhull.co.uk/walk/walking-routes

Councillor Dean Kirk, portfolio holder for transportation, roads, highways and flood prevention, said - “Our transport landscape has changed rapidly over the last 2 years with active travel becoming a core part of the council’s existing and future transport plans. And now we are calling on residents to try travelling sustainably at least once a week by walking, cycling or catching the bus.

“As we work to provide a network of improved cycle lanes, safer walking routes and efficient public transport, I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding.

“As we continue to invest and deliver these active travel schemes, we need the public to get on board and make use of it. Even if it’s just one change, for example walking to a doctor’s appointment or cycling to a gym class – every little helps, and can be the first stepping stone to the start of a healthier lifestyle.”

Buses can also provide a reliable and alternative form of transport. Stagecoach reported 9% quicker journey times since the installation of the all-day bus lanes.

A single decker bus has the ability to carry 60 passengers. This means that at a current occupancy rate for private vehicles of 1.3 passengers, a single full bus could remove 46 vehicles from the network.

Ben Gilligan, Area Director for East Yorkshire buses said - “We are delighted to support the ‘Walk It, Bike It, Bus It’ campaign. Not only does public transport help to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions, the bus is an important part of the active travel journey, with studies proving that public transport users are fitter and healthier than those who travel via other means.

“Hull City Council have worked closely with us to support bus travel including improved priority measures that make services more reliable and easier to use, so now, as we come out of 2 years of COVID-19 related restrictions, we look forward to welcoming more customers on board.”

Matthew Cranwell, Managing Director at Stagecoach East Midlands, said - “Extending Hull’s bus lanes to operate all day has improved passenger journey times and made buses a better choice for short trips in the city. Encouraging more people to take up active travel, including travelling by bus, will promote healthier lifestyles, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality in Hull.”

Councillor Kirk continued - “Doing our bit by travelling more actively will directly help combat air pollution, reduce congestion on the roads and improve health and wellbeing.

“As a city we have a huge commitment towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and changing how we travel is one of the single biggest things we can do, to try to slow down global warming.”

Be part of the change and share your journey swaps with us on social media @travel_hull by #WalkItHull #BikeItHull or #BusItHull.