Useful Resources

Access practical resources and guidance to support sustainable choices in everyday life and within the community.

Click images below to download resource.

In Scotland, half of short journeys of 1 – 2 km are made by car, and two-thirds of all car journeys are made alone. If that’s you, could you make a small change? Active travel is all about getting you moving from A to B in ways that don’t use fossil fuels. Travelling in an active way helps improves your health and wellbeing, as well as reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money.

Active travel usually happens for short journeys, such as walking to the shops or school, cycling to work or to see friends and family.

The sustainable travel hierarchy is a useful way to think about improving the impact of your journeys. The higher up the hierarchy, the more sustainable and greener the travel option. The most sustainable option is walking where the only resource required is you, followed by cycling which requires some equipment. Along with wheeling (the term used for wheelchair users), these methods of travel are classed as active travel.

What if my journey is too long for active travel?

Active travel doesn’t have to be the whole of your journey. There are lots of ways that part of the total journey could be done more actively, and with a lower environmental impact.

Try parking somewhere further away from your destination to cut vehicle miles and walk or take the bike in the car and cycle some of the way. If the bus stop isn’t near your house, could you walk or cycle there?

Changing habits always takes extra effort at first, but you’ll soon notice the benefits.  Building good habits takes effort and insight.

1)  Set a specific (realistic) goal – remember smaller steps are easier to climb…..

2)  Create a plan – organisation is key!

3)  Make it fun!

4)  Remember, flexibility is key!  You are allowed off days – relax, regroup, try again!

5)  Find the right kind of social support – can you bring someone else on your journey with you?