Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is encouraging residents to walk, wheel, or cycle when making journeys into Bingham and other town centres in the borough for a healthier and greener future.
Active travel methods boost physical activity and provide numerous health and wellbeing benefits, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and improving heart health. They can also help save money by lowering travel costs compared to driving and parking.
By choosing to leave the car at home, residents can play their part in reducing their carbon footprint, improving air quality, reducing pollution, and preventing traffic congestion.
To support active travel in Bingham, RBC is delivering a project to encourage more sustainable journeys into the town centre. New ‘Step into Bingham’ walking and wheeling map routes are now available to download at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/stepintobingham.
The maps have been developed in partnership with RideWise to identify safe walking routes from all major residential areas of Bingham to the town centre. All routes will be waymarked using colour-coded arrows.
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Hard copies of the maps will also be produced and placed in community venues and businesses in the town for residents to access. Large maps will be displayed at Newgate Street car park.
A free information event will take place at Bingham Marketplace on Saturday, 22 March, from 10am to 1pm. RBC’s Community Safety Team and Nottinghamshire Police will be offering free bike marking and registration to help reduce the risk of bike theft.
Rushcliffe Cycle Tech will also be carrying out free bike maintenance and repairs.
At the event, RideWise will promote the ‘Step into Bingham’ map and talk to residents about incorporating physical activity into daily life through active travel methods. Children and adults alike can also have a go on the smoothie bike, where they can pedal themselves a free smoothie!
Pupils and teachers from Toot Hill School joined council officers at Bingham Buttercross to mark the launch of this new health and wellbeing initiative.
Dr Chris Eardley, Head Teacher of Toot Hill School, said: “At Toot Hill School and Sixth Form College, we are very proud of our students for the manner in which they access public transport. The majority of our students travel to school via bus, while the remainder tend to walk.
“Our curriculum teaches students about the importance of reducing their carbon footprint and their role in ensuring that we protect the environment for future generations. Furthermore, our students understand the importance of exercise to their long-term health and wellbeing.
“Consequently, we are delighted to support the local community with this great initiative, as we would love to see an increase in safe and active travel for our school community.”
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Rob Inglis, said: “Active travel is about making walking, wheeling, and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around, providing a healthier and more sustainable method of transport.
“We’ve developed new maps offering safe and accessible walking and wheeling routes in and around Bingham, which will be free to access online and widely available at local community centres and businesses.
“This is a great time to get started as we approach the sunnier and warmer seasons, when we know that getting outdoors and enjoying fresh air can boost our mental health and wellbeing.
“We’re really pleased to work with RideWise and partners on this initiative. It’s also fantastic to see local students and teachers from Toot Hill School highlight the importance of safely walking and using public transport for a healthier and greener future.
“Come along to our community engagement event on Saturday, 22 March, at Bingham Marketplace, where you can find out more about the ‘Step into Bingham’ maps.”
The project has also overseen the installation of improved cycle storage in the marketplace. Further cycle storage will be installed at Newgate Street car park by the end of the month.
Helen Hemstock, Chief Executive of RideWise, said: “We are delighted to support the launch of this new walking and wheeling map, and we look forward to speaking with local residents at the upcoming market event to hear their thoughts and promote healthier and greener travel options.”
