People across Swansea are being encouraged to walk and cycle more often for short, manageable journeys, with the launch of Swansea Bayways.
The Swansea Bayways campaign sees Swansea Council launch a network of around 118km of accessible and shared use cycling and walking routes across the county, with £5.5million being invested in new routes over recent months and more routes being added all the time. Swansea Bayways is designed to get people to leave the car if it’s not far and walk or cycle for journeys under five miles instead.
Councillor Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Management, said: “Swansea Bayways is all about encouraging people to switch their frequent short journeys –mainly to work, and then to the shops, to school or college, or to work meetings – by walking or cycling. Our message is, if it’s not far, leave the car. If it’s under one mile, why not walk it? Or if it’s anywhere between a mile and five miles, why not get on your bike?
“In recent months we have been investing in, developing and improving the network of shared use paths for cyclists and pedestrians throughout Swansea. These schemes are providing vastly improved links for commuters, as well as for people who want to walk or cycle for other journeys.”
It is hoped that walking or cycling will become people’s preferred way of getting around – even if it’s just a few times a week. To get on board, people can download a detailed map of the network from the Swansea Bay Ways website – www.swanseabayways.co.uk – where they will also find a handy, real-time journey planner to check their route, or to see if there are off-road alternatives to the journeys they are making by car.
Councillor Thomas continued: “As part of the Swansea Bayways campaign, we are also encouraging employers to champion walking and cycling in the workplace, by supporting their colleagues to take those shorter journeys – perhaps to client meetings – on foot or by bike.
“As well as benefitting us as individuals and benefitting the environment, we hope employers will take on board the fact that a fitter workforce is a healthier, more productive one and that encouraging staff to walk and cycle can ease pressure on car parking provision. It makes sense in so many ways for all of us to get on board with Swansea Bayways.”
To find out more about Swansea Bayways, and for guidance and tips on how to integrate more walking and cycling into your life, go to: www.swanseabayways.co.uk where you can also find the journey planner and network map.