Walk the talk this Car Free Day
Walk the talk this Car Free Day
This World Car Free Day, September 22 Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB is highlighting the important role reducing our reliance on cars plays in improving our health and wellbeing; and some of the practical steps we can all take to make that change.
With rise in fuel prices and the general cost of living increasing, finding alternative means to get around can generate a whole manner of savings when it comes to our finances, our health and our planet!
Yes, it’s time to release ourselves from our reliance on cars and experience the freedom of active travel across our beautiful region. You could try walking and cycling more for short journeys or try leaving the car at home one day a week and taking public transport instead.
By reducing your use of a private car (if you have one) you could improve your physical and mental well-being, while reducing air pollution and your carbon emissions.
We know there can be many challenges to doing this such as access to transport, physical ability and busy lifestyles; but making the small changes where we can will make a difference for ourselves and others.
The Air We Breathe
A variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment.
Each year in Wales, an equivalent of 1,604 (5.4%) deaths can be attributed to air pollution including particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure, and 1,108 deaths to NO2 exposure – both of these primarily come from vehicle emissions.
By swapping how you travel to public transport, walking or cycling when you can, you can help tackle this and reduce the level of preventable deaths in Wales.
Read how traffic emissions are impacting residents on Bridgend’s most polluted street here.
Getting Active
Watch those steps rack up as you adopt more active ways to travel. Whether you’re walking the full length of your journey or walking to and from the bus stop or train station, leaving the car at home creates more opportunity for you to get moving and stay physically active.
Or maybe you’re thinking about swapping four wheels for two. Pedalling your way to a healthier lifestyle by cycling to work has never been easier. Councils across the region are finding ways to create better cycling routes, making it safer for you to try new ways of travelling. Many companies (us included) also offer cycle to work schemes that will help you get set up with all the equipment you need to pedal your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Active Travel in Your Area
Each of the councils across the Heath Board region have Active Travel Plans and links to the national cycling and walking routes. Why not check them out to find out how you can discover new ways to get around your local area
- Rhondda Cynon Taf active travel information includes details on where you can safely store your bike and details of their Active Travel Network Map that outlines new and improved travel routes RCT will seek to deliver over the coming 15 years as part of their Local Development Plan.
- Bridgend active travel information gives you access to all their active travel maps across the County Borough that detail which routes are safest for walking and cycling.
- Merthyr County Borough Council has a number of improvement project underway, find out more about these improvements here.