As schools begin to fully reopen after lockdown, parents and carers across South Gloucestershire are being encouraged to find ‘joy in the journey’ by leaving the car at home on the school run and walking, cycling or scooting.

Many families have been enjoying walking, running, scooting and cycling as part of their daily exercise during lockdown. As more pupils return to school there’s an opportunity to keep this going to help reduce congestion and improve air quality for a greener West of England.

West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles said: “During lockdown many people have taken advantage of quieter roads to walk or cycle more regularly. As more pupils begin to return to school we have a real opportunity to capture the positive changes we have seen to improve physical and mental health, improve air quality and ease congestion across the West of England.

“That’s why I’m encouraging more people to find joy in the journey by swapping a short car journey on the school run for walking or cycling. Walking or cycling means children arrive at school energised and ready to learn and will also help us on the road to a greener future for the region.”

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has developed the ‘Joy in the Journey’ campaign in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

The campaign is part of WECA’s plans to transform travel in the region and offer alternatives to the car. This is alongside £13m investment in measures to enable walking and cycling, an e-scooter trial, and investment in metrobus, the transformative MetroWest rail network and plans underway to develop options for a regional mass transit system.

There’s plenty of support to get active in the back to school ‘joyinthejourney’ page on the TravelWest website. There’s advice and support including one-to-one cycle training or loan bikes to get you back on the bike, along with tips for walking and planning your route.