ACT Travelwise encourages Commuting without a Car

ACT Travelwise, the UK's leading sustainable travel organisation, is urging people to change the way they travel and is offering commuters the chance to win a folding bicycle and free sustainable travel advice for their organisation.

Obesity rates in the UK have quadrupled in the last 25 years, and with traffic levels predicted to rise by 40% over the next 20 years there has never been a better time for people to leave the car at home and choose a different way to travel.

The cost of delays and congestion is estimated to cost UK businesses billions of pounds every year. By leaving the car at home, and choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport, individuals and businesses can not only save time and money, but improve health as well.

The problems associated with rising congestion levels, and the benefits of choosing better ways to travel have been highlighted by Channel 4's The Woman Who Stops Traffic series.

Despite heavy rain and traffic having to be diverted through the city from the motorway, Do it Different in Durham saw a 25% increase in use of the park & ride, school run traffic was halved and the previously underused cycle paths were brimming with keen new cyclists. Councillor Bob Pendlebury OBE, Durham County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, Sustainability and Tourism, said: "Durham has always been proactive in promoting sustainable travel. We introduced the first congestion charge in the country, we were the first to introduce three Park and Ride Sites simultaneously, and we continue to work closely with schools and businesses promoting sustainable travel."

Despite achieving successful results in 2 out of 3 programmes, the Channel 4 series has highlighted many of the issues faced by experts trying to change the way people travel. One proven and effective method is through travel planning, which has been shown to reduce car use by 10-25%.

TravelWise Merseyside is working with more and more businesses to develop bespoke Travel Plans as the benefits to staff, visitors and suppliers become clear. Travel Plans can reduce parking needs and congestion, ease recruitment and retention, offer better travel subsidies, improve the health of staff, the image of the organisation, and improve environmental performance.

TravelWise is the Merseyside Local Transport Plan Partnership's campaign to help people make sustainable transport choices.

Chief Executive of Merseytravel and Chairman of the LTP Partnership Neil Scales, who is also chair of ACT Travelwise, says: "Changing behaviour is a complex and challenging task, but the rewards are enormous, not just for the organisations choosing to manage travel effectively, but for the individual, the environment and the local community.

An increasing number of businesses are promoting sustainable travel and reducing excessive car use, leading to more efficient and responsible business processes and a happier, healthier workforce with less staff turnover."

Spokesman for the British Chambers of Commerce, Sam Turvey, says:
"Congestion on our transport network is a major problem for the country's business community. In a recent survey conducted by the British Chambers Commerce, the effects of congestion are now costing UK businesses a staggering £17.55 billion per annum.

The government clearly needs to come up with solutions and innovative ways of tackling the problem however, commuters can do their bit too. By considering alternative means of travel to work, such as walking or cycling, we can dramatically cut both road congestion and harmful carbon emissions."

In association with Evans Cycles Ride2Work and Dahon, ACT Travelwise is offering commuters the chance to win 2 folding bicycles and 1 year's ACT Travelwise membership for their organisation. To enter the 'Commuting without a Car' competition, send a photo and caption of someone at work Commuting without a Car. Further details can be found at www.acttravelwise.org.uk/competition