People across Northern Ireland are being urged to leave the car at home this September, in favour of cleaner, healthier and more environmentally friendly modes of travel.
Northern Ireland’s Active Travel Challenge has been championed by Translink, the Department for Infrastructure, Public Health Agency, Sustrans, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast City Council.
It is part of a collaborative drive to inspire people to adopt greener travel options that will prioritise their health and wellbeing, as well as support Northern Ireland’s progress towards a low-carbon future.
Throughout the month, participants can log their ‘active travel’ journeys online. There’s a different theme each week and a range of prizes and incentives up for grabs including shopping vouchers and Translink tickets.
Organisers say the challenge brings a huge opportunity for people to change their travel habits for the better.
Robin Swann, Northern Ireland’s health minister, said: “I welcome the active travel initiative and would encourage everyone to look at how they can make their daily journey to work and indeed all journeys a means to improve their physical as well as mental health.
“Adopting more active and sustainable modes of travel, be it cycling or walking, has been long recognised as providing benefits to people’s physical wellbeing as well as being of benefit to the environment.”
Comment on this story