Mayor Oliver Coppard's Vision for Active Travel in South Yorkshire

"My ambition is that South Yorkshire becomes the healthiest region in the UK. Helping people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling can help us achieve that goal."

I want South Yorkshire to become the healthiest region in the UK. We have a long way to go to achieve that goal.

We face huge challenges around our health and our economy that are holding us back from becoming the place that we deserve – that is, a wealthier, healthier and happier region. We won’t achieve the growth we so desperately need in South Yorkshire if health is holding people back from work, training and other opportunities.

And getting people to be more active, to move more in their daily lives, is just one of the ways we’re going to tackle that challenge. That’s why I care passionately about giving freedom and choice about how they travel and move to everyone in South Yorkshire. 

People won’t choose walking, wheeling or cycling if the infrastructure isn’t there to support them, if they don’t feel safe in their neighbourhoods, or if they don’t see the benefit in activity. 

I want to change people’s behaviour so they see the joy in including walking, wheeling or cycling in their daily lives.

Our Year of Active Travel has celebrated the progress we’ve made not just over the last year – but all the work that went into making that progress possible over the last seven years. 

We’ve made roads and streets safer through better crossings and safer cycle lanes. And we’ve brought in measures to make where people live safer, such as School Streets and 20mph zones. I’ve met many, many people over the last year who now have more choice about how they get around, and how they can fit activity into their daily lives.

It’s been a huge pleasure to get to know the many communities and groups throughout South Yorkshire who champion active travel and who, every day, advocate for more from myself and others. 

We need all of our partners – our community groups, schools, public health partners, local and national government and charities. 

My Year of Active Travel may be drawing to a close, and I hope you join with me in celebrating its achievements. But the work goes on and I need all your help to make South Yorkshire a healthier, wealthier, and happier place.