Active Travel Improvements
Active travel is fast becoming the ‘go-to’ method of travelling around our beautiful county with new routes and cycle route upgrades coming to Kent over the next few weeks. Explore Kent have a great range of quality approved cycle rides including nine town walking and cycling guides and newly upgraded routes already available for cycling.
New and improved active travel routes
Benefits of Active Travel
Aside from giving you options, there are many other benefits of active travel. You will save money on expensive car running costs, public transport and, thanks to the health benefits of active travel, you won’t need an expensive gym membership because you’ll be getting fit and travelling at the same time!
You will also be helping to reduce pollution on our roads along with the health risks that come with poor air quality, especially for young children. The chances of catching or transmitting COVID-19 are also much less outdoors than in enclosed spaces, such as public transport, so Active Travel is fast becoming an ‘anti-COVID’ method of travelling.
Making a start on active travel
So how do you get started? The great news is that there are several schemes available where you can get a bike at a relatively low cost.
- Cyclescheme an employee benefit that saves you at least 25-39% on a bike or accessories.
- Cycling UK has fantastic guides on how to buy a second-hand bike and how to maintain your bike.
- There are plenty of places around the county that offer full servicing and bike repairs, for example, The Velo Works and Discovery Cycles near Tunbridge Wells.
- The Big Bike Revival is a Cycling UK project offering free for keyworkers offers a range of services to keep your bike in tip-top condition.
Building your confidence
Once you have your bike sorted; the next challenge is often one of confidence. Luckily there are several groups that are designed to help you with that, whether it’s women’s only Breeze rides or teaching an adult to ride safely and quickly using the KCC’s cycle training. Also, learn to ride confidently to work, using the beginners guide from Cycling UK, and educate yourself repairing your own bicycle, using the Bicycle Repair Guide from BikeRide.
