Newry residents challenged to leave their car at home and get active

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Cycling on the Newry Canal towpath. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Translink have launched their 2024 Active Travel Challenge encouraging people to where possible travel by walking, cycling or on public transport instead of the car. The idea is to switch your usual routine for a more active and greener way to travel.

It's the perfect way to improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing and the initiative lasts the entire month of June.

The Active Travel Challenge is a joint initiative between Sustrans, Translink, the Department for Infrastructure, Public Health Agency (PHA), Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and Belfast City Council. The challenge is free to sign up to and it's open to individuals of all ages and organisations of any size.

Once registered, participants simply log their ‘active travel’ journeys throughout June on the online platform for a chance to win a range of prizes, including vouchers, travel tickets, gym passes and rewards with national and regional retailers. From the daily commute to work or school, to a trip to the local shop, the Active Travel Challenge encourages people to leave the car at home or simply add some active travel into their journey by using their local park and ride, in a bid to be more sustainable, save money and help improve their physical and mental health.

Pictured at the launch of this year's Active Travel Challenge are Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency; Claire Pollock, Head of Sustrans Northern Ireland, Colin Hutchinson, Director at Department for Infrastructure responsible for active travel; Aidan McCrory Logistics Senior Manager PCSS; Ian Campbell, Director of Service Operations at Translink; Damien Martin, Strategic Director of Place and Economy at Belfast City Council; and BHSCT Clare McMahon, Co-Director PCSS.

Claire Pollock, Head of Sustrans Northern Ireland said: “The Active Travel Challenge is back for another amazing year. I would encourage everyone to have a go and build active travel into their daily routines as a really simple way to make a positive contribution towards reducing their carbon footprint. If you’re thinking about cycling but haven’t been on a bike in years, there’s lots of helpful advice online to get you started and you’ll soon be reaping the physical, mental and economic benefits.”

Also speaking on the challenge Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency, said: “The PHA would encourage everyone across Northern Ireland to take part in the Active Travel Challenge this June, it is a fun and engaging way to incorporate physical activity into our daily routines. Being physically active can help improve our physical and mental health and wellbeing and quality of life. As little as 30 minutes of moderate level physical activity most days of the week is shown to help reduce anxiety, help maintain a healthy weight and help reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, while also improving the quality of your sleep. By becoming more active, you are also playing your part in protecting our environment reducing your carbon footprint with benefits for all of society.”

To find out more and get involved in this year’s Active Travel Challenge go to atc.getmeactive.org.uk/ or email challenge@sustrans.org.uk. Keep up to date with all the latest ATC action on social media using #GetMeActiveNI