Hull encouraged to 'travel wisely' with various events planned for TravelWise Week

Hull City Council and its partners will be hosting various events across the city in support of TravelWise Week, a world-wide, week-long travel challenge where sustainable travel organisation, Modeshift, encourages everyone to travel wisely.

It is the council’s ambition to make Hull cleaner, greener and healthier by encouraging residents to choose active forms of travel like walking, cycling or taking the bus.

TravelWise Week runs from Saturday 16 September through to Friday 22 September, which is also Car Free Day.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways, said: “TravelWise Week provides an opportunity for the council and its partners to showcase sustainable transport options available in the city, such as walking, cycling and bus travel, and the benefits these have for residents.''

“While the council and its partners are using the week of events as a platform to promote active travel, the aim is to support residents in making informed choices on how they get about for leisure, for their daily commute and for short journeys, both now and in the long-term.”

Working with Humberside Police, local cycle charity, R-evolution, and Neighbourhood Network, the council has arranged a free Bike Library and Bike Security Marking Event for Monday 18 September at King Edward Street, outside the Changing Futures Hub (next door to Subway), from 11am- 3pm.

The event will provide an opportunity for cyclists to get their bikes securely marked by Humberside Police for free.

Several city centre businesses have also taken up the chance to provide their staff with a pre-allocated, free refurbished bike from R-evolution’s Bike Library, with the council providing a set of bike lights and a high-vis ruck sack cover at no cost and Neighbourhood Network will have high-quality, low-cost D locks available to buy.

The aim of the event is to encourage people to take up cycling for their daily commute and take sensible precautions to help reduce the potential for bike thefts and to increase their visibility with autumn around the corner.

Neighbourhood policing officer, Zoe Tucker, said: “These events are a fantastic opportunity for bike owners to mark their bikes for free and register them to a bike register whilst getting advice and help around how to protect your bike.”

Andy Potts, chief operating officer at R-evolution, said: “R-evolution is delighted to be participating in TravelWise Week and working alongside Hull City Council, Humberside Police and Neighbourhood Network to deliver an event. It is a great opportunity for us to contribute to promoting sustainable travel by advocating cycling.”

Hull City Council’s cycle training partner, First Step Sports, will be running six, 30-minute ‘Rusty Riders’ taster sessions for students and staff at the University of Hull on Saturday 16 September, between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

The sessions will offer participants a glimpse of what the full Rusty Riders programme, funded by the council to provide adults with free cycle training, offers as well as helping to build confidence and allow riders to practice road cycling in a secure and safe environment, with the option of taking part in a guided ride through nearby areas around the university.

First Step Sports will then be back promoting the programme on Tuesday 19 September at the university’s Welcome Week.

Free guided walks are also available on Saturday 16 (10.30am-1pm), Sunday 17 (10.30am-1pm and 1.30-3pm) and Thursday 21 September (10.30am-1pm) as part of the Hull Maritime project – providing residents and visitors with the opportunity learn all about the how the city has been shaped by its past, present and future.

Places can be booked at Maritime Guided Tours or you can turn up on the day.

Finally, through the Hull Bus Alliance, Hull City Council, EY Buses and Stagecoach will be hosting a Bus Surgery in Queen Victoria Square on Friday 22 September, from 10am-4pm, providing an opportunity for people to find out more about bus services and ask any questions they might have.

Dave Skepper, commercial director at Stagecoach, said: "We are looking forward to listening and talking with local people at the Bus Surgery event during TravelWise Week, on Friday 22 September 2023.  

“Bus services provide essential transport connections for many residents to reach employment, education, healthcare and retail services. Using the bus for short urban journeys helps to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, making the city centre more environmentally friendly for everyone."

Stuart Fillingham, head of commercial at EY Buses, said: “Here at East Yorkshire, we’re committed to helping our local communities get from A-to-B sustainably. With the current £2 fare cap, there’s no better time to try switching up how you travel, so we’re looking forward to speaking to people in Hull about how they can make their next journey a little greener.”

Learn more about travel options in Hull at Travel Hull