'Active travel' means getting about in a more physically active way. Choosing to walk or cycle for shorter journeys like going to the shops, school, or work can help you to stay more active and improve your health in general.  

With over 40% of all journeys under two miles currently made by car, we want to make it easier, safer and more convenient for more people to walk and cycle for regular, shorter journeys. 

Incorporate active travel into your regular, shorter journeys 

Walking 

There a loads of lovely walking routes including Preston's Guild Wheel across Lancashire to help you get around on foot. 

We also have a number of beautiful public rights of way as well as country parks, nature reserves and picnic sites. 

Cycling 

From cycling routes, to getting on a bike for the first time, we've got a range of information to help you when cycling around Lancashire.  

Go Velo offer free Learn to Ride sessions and Level 3 Bikeability & Route planning courses in the Summer holidays. The sessions are funded by Lancashire County Council and are delivered in several districts across the county. Find out about courses in your area and how to reserve yours at cycle training, bikeability, cycle coaching - holiday clubs (govelo.co.uk). 

Bikeability also have some excellent short films with tips and advice to help families enjoy riding their bikes together. 

Getting the bus 

Choosing the bus gives you the opportunity to be a little more active. Our vast bus network can help you and your family get from A to B at a low cost.  

You can use our bus timetables to find the right route for you and plan your journey with ease. Find out about the range of fares and promotions currently available. 

Travelling by car 

Choosing our park and ride services can be a convenient way to incorporate a few more steps into your commuting and shopping journeys. There are three in Lancashire, two serving Preston City Centre and one serving Lancaster City Centre.   

What we are doing

With the right infrastructure in place, more people can make shorter journeys on foot or by bike. As well as the personal health benefits, this will also help towards improving public health and air quality, improving road safety, and reducing local carbon emissions. 

We have a long-term approach to developing local cycling and walking networks across our county to create safer, greener and healthier travel opportunities. We are delivering a range of schemes designed to increase opportunities for active travel by creating better-connected, greener, safer and healthier communities where people want to live and work. 

Read our strategies 

Funded schemes 

A number of schemes are in place or planned following successful bids. 

In 2020 we were awarded £2.8 million from the Department for Transport's Active Travel Fund to help more people safely walk and cycle for short journeys. This was followed by further funding of £5.5m in May 2023.  

In 2023 we were awarded £50 million from Round Two of the government's Levelling Up Fund and we are currently developing detailed plans for our Levelling Up East Lancashire Programme. 

Find out about some of the schemes that are planned or currently being delivered to support active travel across Lancashire: 

Active Travel England is the government’s executive agency for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling in England. Find out more at Active Travel England (www.gov.uk)