The document discusses the barriers to active travel like walking and cycling. It notes that physical inactivity costs the UK economy billions per year and is a major cause of disease. While some trips are made by foot, most are by car. It then discusses the health and environmental benefits of active travel, and notes challenges like road safety issues and a lack of infrastructure. The response proposes developing a delivery plan with cross-sector partners to build skills and infrastructure that makes active travel easier and more convenient in Kirklees. However, it acknowledges overcoming barriers will be difficult due to conflicting priorities around traffic and pressures to cater to drivers.

1. Barriers to Active Travel
How hard can it be?
Alison Millbourn
Health Improvement Practitioner Advanced
Kirklees Public Health
Send email
Alison.Millbourn@kirklees.gov.uk

2. Before we start………
What is public health?
The science and art of promoting and
protecting health and well-being,
preventing ill-health and prolonging life
through the organised efforts of society.

3. Why active travel?
• Physical inactivity is damaging the health
of our population – 1 in 6 deaths in UK.
This makes it as dangerous as smoking.
• It is costing the country £7.4 billion a year.
• Physical inactivity is the 4th
largest cause of
disease and disability in the UK.
• 40% of women and 35% of men are
spending more than 6 hours a day sitting
still.

4. • Walking trips decreased by 30%
between 1995 and 2013 (NTS).
• We are 24% less active than in 1961
– if current trends continue, we will be
35% less active by 2030.
• 64% of trips are made by car.
• 22% are made by foot.
• 2% are made by bike.

5. • Adults who bought motorised
transport to travel to work doubled
their likelihood of becoming
overweight.
• Countries with highest levels of active
travel generally have lowest obesity
rates.
• Around 40,000 deaths are attributable to
exposure to outdoor air pollution.

6. • Air pollution is linked to cancer, asthma, stroke
and heart disease, diabetes, obesity and changes
linked to dementia.
• The heart, brain, hormone systems and immunity
can all be harmed by air pollution.
• Research is now beginning to point towards
effects on growth, intelligence and development of
the brain and co-ordination.
• Exposure to air pollution is costing society and
businesses more than £20 billion pa.

7. • Air pollution is harmful to everyone, not just
the vulnerable.
• There are NO safe levels of air pollution.
• However, some people suffer more than
others, including:
– Those living in deprived areas.
– Those who live, learn or work near busy
roads.
– Those that are more vulnerable because
of age or existing medical conditions.

8. ……….and in Kirklees
• 61.7% of adults classified as overweight
or obese.
• Only 48% achieving 150 minutes of
physical activity per week.
• 33% not even doing 30 minutes of
physical activity per week (sedentary).

9. Why active travel…………?
WHY NOT??

10. So what needs to happen?
• High level support locally, regionally and
nationally.
• Ensure that all relevant plans and
policies consider walking and cycling.
• Development of cross-sector
programmes.
• Offer support to those wishing to change
their travel behaviour.

11. • Address infrastructure and planning
issues currently preventing people from
travelling actively.
• Address other infrastructure issues such
as traffic speed, traffic volume, lack of
convenient road crossings, poorly
maintained infrastructure.
• Ensure that there is individual support
for those that need it, including
motivational interventions – pedometers,
walking groups, goal setting.

12. • Foster a culture that supports travelling
actively to schools.
• Promote walking and cycling in and
around workplaces.
• Incorporate active travel information into
health guidance given to patients.

13. What is stopping it from
happening?
• Number 1 reason – road safety (real
and perceived).
• Convenience of the car.
• Time.
• Lack of appropriate infrastructure.

14. Kirklees Response
Kirklees Walking and Cycling Delivery
Plan (draft)
•5 Objectives:
– Building skills and confidence.
– More and better places to walk and cycle.
– More walking and cycling opportunities.
– More coaches, leaders and volunteers.
– Information, media and communications.

15. Easy? No……..
• Conflicting agendas:
– Increasing numbers travelling activity -
increases KSIs.
– Councils under pressure to cater primarily
for car drivers………cyclists don’t pay road
tax! 
– Giving people more time to cross roads,
leads to further traffic congestion 1 mile
back.

16. • Councils under pressure to increase traffic
speeds to improve journey time versus the
ambition to reduce speed to increase numbers
travelling actively…..
• Introducing pedestrianised areas will have
detrimental effect on local economy (despite
evidence to the contrary – requires courage to
tackle this).
• Justifying spend on active travel infrastructure
when roads are in current state of disrepair
• Political will – most voters are motorists!

17. Solutions?
• Build solid relationships with all
partners.
• Build trust.
• Understand the agenda of others – be
sympathetic!
• Negotiate and influence.
• Concentrate on the ‘super positives’.

18. SUPER POSITIVES
NEUTRALS
SUPER NEGATIVES

19. • Multi-partnership group to own the Kirklees
Walking and Cycling Delivery Plan
• Partnership includes:
– Sport and Active Recreation
– Highways Design
– British Cycling
– CTC
– Road Safety
– Public Health
– Sustrans
– Living Streets
– Brake!
– Tourism
– Communications Team

20. • In the process of meeting with partners for
them to take ownership of individual
actions.
• In my experience, colleagues are more
likely to make things happy when they
have a sense of ownership.
• Acceptance that many actions will not be
achieved in the near future, due to
resources and will, but determined to
maintain a ‘gold standard’ aspirational
document.

21. What else? Have we missed anything?
Over to you!

22. QUESTIONS?