Get active and travel by walking, wheeling or cycling

Why active travel could be a way forward 

1. You could save money
Cars can be expensive to buy, maintain and run. When you’re filling up with fuel for lots of short journeys, the costs could add up unexpectedly. Comfortable trainers or a basic cycle might not cost as much by comparison. According to Energy Saving Trust, reducing your car use by a quarter could help you save up to £295 in fuel costs per year¹.

2. You could get healthier and feel better
Regular walking, wheeling or cycling could help reduce your risk of certain health conditions ². It could also support healthy weight management and help you manage stress.

3. You could reduce your carbon footprint
Switching from fossil-fuelled vehicles to more active travel could cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other air pollutants, which can be a danger to public health and ecosystems. 

4. You could get to your destination faster than you think
Yes, driving can be speedier than walking, wheeling or cycling. However, when you factor in congestion, finding a parking spot and getting to exactly where you need to be, it may not really be that much quicker for local and urban journeys. On average, you can walk a mile in 15-20 minutes or cycle this distance in around five minutes³. 

It could also be worth considering an electric bike (also known as an e-bike)

Why it could benefit you to get more walking or wheeling into your weekly routine

Replacing a weekly one-mile car journey with walking or wheeling could save up to £19 in a year, according to Energy Saving Trust⁴.

Here are more tips to help you take your first steps:

• Living Streets UK has 20 great tips on making walking more fun. For children, check out their Walk to School campaign
• Discover walking routes and advice in England, thanks to Ramblers.

It’s time to celebrate cycling

According to Energy Saving Trust, cycling could be linked to improved heart and lung capacity. Aside from potential health benefits, you could get around your town or city quicker as you filter through the traffic and avoid the queues.

Here are some tips and resources which could help you start cycling:

• If you don’t have a bike, you could look for local community groups that offer safety-checked, reconditioned bikes
• Alternatively, your employer might offer a Cycle to Work scheme, which could help make the cost of a new model more manageable

Could an e-bike be good for you?

If you don’t think cycling is for you, you could consider an e-bike. With an electric motor and battery, they could help to give you an extra boost to cover those longer journeys or big hills. There are many options to choose from, including electric adapted cycles and e-cargo bikes. These bikes could emit up to 80 times less CO2 per mile⁵ than the average petrol or diesel car.

Visit the Energy Saving Trust website to learn more about riding an e-bike, electric adapted cycle or e-cargo bike and their potential benefits, maintenance costs and more.

Longer journeys

There may be some trips where just using active travel might not be a suitable option, for example if you’re travelling a long distance. However, by combining active travel with shared transport , you could use some active travel for these journeys.

All information is based on the most up-to-date research from Energy Saving Trust as of January 2025. Changes in the price of electricity, petrol and diesel since this date might affect the estimated savings. This article isn’t advice and is for general guidance only. Always do your own research before taking any action. We’re not responsible for the content of the websites mentioned in this article.