Hull residents urged to 'walk, wheel and ride' this week
Hull City Council and its partners are once again backing TravelWise Week, helping residents, businesses and communities to consider more sustainable and active travel options.
TravelWise Week is an annual global travel challenge organised by Modeshift the UK's leading sustainable travel organisation. The event runs from Monday 16 September until Sunday 22 September, which also marks World Car Free Day.
The goal of TravelWise Week, which aligns with European Mobility Week, is to promote active travel, public transport, and other cleaner and healthier transport choices, encouraging everyone to walk, wheel or ride.
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Last year, the council arranged for the city to participate in the initiative, hosting a series of activities and supporting businesses and organisations to get involved and encourage their employees to take part.
Hull was one of 17 locations in the UK to host a programme of events in 2023 and was recognised by Modeshift at its annual TravelWise Week Awards winning the Best Local Authority Campaign Award, beating stiff competition from Darlington Borough Council and Islington Council.
Hull will be participating again in 2024, with the council and its partners organising a promotional programme, including a cycle event on Thursday 19 September, from 11am-3pm, and a public transport event on Friday 20 September, from 11am-3pm, both taking place in Queen Victoria Square.
The cycle event will include free bike checks and e-bike try-outs by R-evolution, free secure cycle marking by Humberside Police, discounted D-locks for sale from Neighbourhood Network, a cargo bike display by Rooted in Hull and pre-booked, instructor-led cycle rides by British Cycling at 11am.
The 20th will see people have the opportunity to meet public transport staff from the council and representatives of the local bus and train operators; Stagecoach, East Yorkshire, TransPennine Express and Northern; and the Yorkshire Community Rail Partnership. This will allow residents to get more information on fares and timetables.
The council is also providing recourses to encourage businesses to get involved. This includes the free Rusty Riders adult cycle training programme, as well as guide walks by Hull Maritime which take place on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is also a cycle marking event at the Bike Hub located at the University of Hull alongside the British Transport Police on Tuesday 17 September.
“It’s fantastic to hear that Hull City Council have big plans for TravelWise Week again in 2024,” said Nick Butler, business director at Modeshift.
“The city really led the way last year and provided some excellent examples for other local authorities around the country to follow.”
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways, said: “Our award-winning TravelWise Week campaign, last year, helped bring to life the range of active and sustainable travel choices available across the city.
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“This year, we are aiming to go a step further with our events, activities and promotions focussed on making choosing to walk, wheel or ride easy and with the ambition of demonstrating that a small change during TravelWise Week can be continued beyond and into the future.
“Making active and sustainable travel choices doesn’t mean changing everything you do. It can be as simple as walking to the shops, instead of using the car, cycling to work one day a week, or using the bus or train for leisure on a weekend.”