Douglas Borough Council has produced an Active Travel Strategy and Action Plan.

The strategy, which complements and supports that of the Isle of Man Government, sets out the Council’s ambitions to support and encourage active travel behaviours by its employees and the public and reflects the Council’s Corporate Plan objective to: ‘Continue to maintain and improve a green and biodiverse environment, providing accessible, open activity spaces and encouraging the use of sustainable transport, cycling and walking’.

By way of example a growing number of Council employees participate in the government’s Cycle to Work Scheme, the Council worked with the Department of Infrastructure to provide secure bicycle lockers in Shaw’s Brow car park and is developing a programme to identify how best to upgrade and adapt its open spaces and main employment sites to encourage active travel.

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘Active travel, such as walking and cycling, not only benefits people’s physical and mental wellbeing but also the environment, quality of life, communities and, ultimately, the economy.

‘As a responsible local authority – and one that holds UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man partner status – Douglas Borough Council is committed to encouraging, developing and investing in opportunities for active travel across its built and natural assets - from Douglas Town Hall to Noble’s Park.

‘Only by adopting this holistic approach can we work towards changing attitudes and creating environments where active travel becomes accepted as part of everyday life, an attractive, realistic choice and a force for good.’

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