Active Travel works with policy-makers and practitioners to promote walking and cycling as health-enhancing physical activity.

Sedentary lifestyles and a lack of physical activity are causing an epidemic of obesity in the United Kingdom and other Western countries. This lack of activity can lead to health problems including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancers and osteoporosis. People who incorporate physical activity into their daily lives are at lower risk.

One of the easiest ways to boost physical activity is to include walking and cycling in the daily routine, such as during the journey to work or school. These activities can also be undertaken at minimal cost compared to other forms of activity. Through the building of the National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools and many other projects, Sustrans has been promoting walking and cycling, and consequently public health, for over 20 years.

Active Travel, particularly walking and cycling, is also one of the solutions to health problems caused by traffic congestion and pollution. Sustrans aims to foster cross-sectoral partnerships to maximise the benefits of healthy, active and environmentally friendly travel. The opportunities created through policy links between transport and health also encourage walking and cycling.

Sustrans´ objective is to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of promoting healthy, active travel. If by changing the environment we can make it easier for people to lead healthy lifestyles now, it will lead to lower health service costs in the future.
Active Travel is supported by the British Heart Foundation and Department of Health.