Sutton Guardian is now working in partnership with
Smarter Travel Sutton to help encourage and enable
residents to swap their car journeys for more
sustainable alternatives.
The Smarter Travel Sutton project is a joint initiative
between the London Borough of Sutton and Transport for
London. It places Sutton centre stage in the push for
sustainable transport in London, with the aim of
reducing congestion and tackling climate change, by
increasing cycling, walking, lift sharing and public
transport use. So whether that means cycling to work
once a week instead of driving, or simply being a little
more bus friendly, we can all play a part in making
Sutton a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live. |
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| A BETTER WAY TO TRAVEL |
Whether it’s a trip to the shops or your daily commute, there are loads of ways to make your travel easy, green and more enjoyable too. To find out all about your options and travel alternatives, click the links below
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ESSENTIAL TRAVEL LINKS |
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GET FIT WITH ACTIVE STEPS |
Want to become more physically active, but finding it hard to fit into your daily routine? Active Steps could help you. This free of charge programme aims to help improve people’s health and wellbeing and reduce traffic congestion at the same time.
Launched in September 2008, Active Steps is a groundbreaking initiative focused on improving the health and well being of Sutton residents by helping them to change their travel habits. In partnership with the local NHS, Sutton Council and Transport for London (TfL), Active Steps is aimed at inspiring residents to leave their cars at home in favour of cycling and/or walking more often.
During the 12 week free of charge support programme, service users will meet a specially trained NHS Active Steps advisor who will help them to beat barriers to walking and/or cycling, create personal goals and provide them with step-counters, cycle and walking routes and access to free cycle training. They will receive 12 weeks of motivational support through a text message or postcard each week to keep them focused.
After the 12 week programme, service users get to meet their Active Steps advisor again, discuss how they got on, overcome any new barriers and set new goals.
Patients who could benefit from this will be signposted to the scheme by health practitioners, such as a GP, pharmacist, smoking cessation advisor, dietician, or physical activity advisor.
If you would like more information on Active Steps, or you would like to join this free programme, please contact Abby Christie on 020 8254 8208 or abby.christie@smpct.nhs.uk
We will organise a meeting in a GP surgery, pharmacist or public building at a convenient time and place for you.
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| GOLDEN RULES FOR SECURING YOUR BIKE |
- To protect it, register it - Register your bicycle model, make and frame number at Immobilise. With this information the police stand a much greater chance of recovering your bike if it is stolen.
- Buy a decent lock or preferably two.
- Get insurance - An easy way to do this is to extend your home contents insurance to cover your bicycle - make sure it covers you for thefts outside the home too.
- Lock your bike – Lock your bike up whenever you leave it alone. It is best to do this in a place which is visible to other people and to use a bike stand if one is available.
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| CYCLING IN SUTTON: GET SEEN AND GET SAFE |
See where you’re going
As the days get shorter you’ll be leaving work in the dark so it’s important to have good lights on your bike; white at the front and red at the rear.
Be seen
Cyclists need to be seen in the dark or in bad weather. Wearing reflectors and high visibility clothing helps everyone to see you coming - including pedestrians!
Don’t get wet
Investing in a good lightweight waterproof with breathable fibres is always worthwhile. It will keep you warm and dry from rain, sleet or snow.
Keep your grip
There’s a wide range of gloves available, including ones made of breathable waterproof materials, that will keep the cold outside and the warmth inside.
M.O.T your bike
Treat your bike to a thorough service at least twice a year and regularly check the tyres and brakes. Replace them if they’re worn out.
Be prepared
Don't forget to carry a spare inner tube, pump and tyre levers just in case you have a puncture, and make sure you know how to use them!
Smooth operator
Regularly clean and oil your bike chain - it will make your bike run more smoothly.
For further information on cycling in London including the latest cycle maps visit www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling. You can find out more about cycling in your borough by going www.smartertravelsutton.org.
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| LOCALS DISCOVER A BETTER WAY TO TRAVEL |
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Stephen from Belmont on walking to work
“Walking also gives me time to myself and time to think. This makes me more relaxed when I start work.”
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NEW CYCLE PARKING |
One of the reasons often cited for not cycling more is the lack of secure cycle parking. Smarter Travel Sutton has taken these comments on board and is working with council engineers to replace and install new cycle parking and shelters around the borough.
The installation of around 180 cycle stands will start in February at Cheam Leisure Centre and continue through the year. In addition, shelters will be installed in the coming months subject to planning permission being granted. Once completed, a map will be produced showing cycle parking in the borough.
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