Safer Greener Healthier

Ready to get back on your bike or start cycling more often? 🚴‍♀️

Sofa to Saddle, by Cycling UK is a fun, free, programme designed to help you build confidence and make cycling a regular part of your routine.

Similar to Couch to 5K, over eight weeks, you'll receive the support and guidance you need to turn your motivation into getting into cycling to action!

You can set achievable distance goals and discover new routes, whilst receiving practical tips and encouragement along the way all at your own pace.

Whether you're looking to improve your health, save money on travel, or simply enjoy being more active, Sofa to Saddle can help you get started!

Check it out below:

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Sofa to Saddle British Cycling

Heading to the Colchester Castle Summer Series?

Make your journey easier with Colchester Park & Ride:

✅ Frequent buses throughout the day

✅Short walk from the drop-off point to the stage

✅£8.50 all-inclusive

Find out more about Park & Ride, timetables, and what's on at the

Colchester Castle Summer Series on the Travel Essex website:

Colchester Park & Ride disability concessionary passes and, where eligible, their companion, £1.70 before 9am (Mondays to Fridays) , Free at any other time.

Seaside Special to Walton-on-the-Naze! 🚆🌊

Looking for a great-value day out by the coast?

Travel on the Seaside Special service from Colchester North to Walton-on-the-Naze and enjoy an open return ticket, allowing you to travel back at any time on the same day.

📍 Depart Colchester North: 10:56am
🎟️ Adult: £5.00
🎟️ Child (1-16): £3.00

Leave the car behind, relax on the journey, and enjoy all that Walton-on-the-Naze has to offer. ☀️🏖️

Book below:

Seaside Special II | Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership Our well known seaside special between Colchester North and Walton on the Naze, one way, with an open return for passengers to travel home any time on the same day!

🚴‍♀️ From Sofa to Saddle! 🚴‍♂️

British Cycling has launched its new Sofa to Saddle app, designed to help more people get cycling and make riding part of everyday life.

The free app includes:
✅ An 8-week cycling plan
✅ Route guidance and confidence-building support
✅ Beginner bike maintenance tips
✅ Rewards and milestones to help keep you motivated

With around half of Brits spending more than 18 hours a week on the sofa, the initiative aims to break down barriers to cycling and support British Cycling's goal of getting one million more people cycling by 2028.

Whether you're returning to cycling or starting for the first time, this could be the perfect opportunity to get moving and explore the benefits of active travel. 🚲🌱

From Sofa To Saddle: New App From British Cycling and Lloyds Aims To Get The Nation Active, As Half Of Brits Spend Over 18 Hours A Week On The Sofa British Cycling, in partnership with Lloyds, have launched Sofa to Saddle, a brand new, free to use app to help inspire and enable the nation to get on their bikes. 

Cycle to work day is this Thursday, so why not get your bike ready, and include cycling in your commute? 🚲

Whether you're a regular cyclist or thinking about trying it for the first time, cycling to work is a great way to:

✅ Boost your physical and mental wellbeing
✅ Save money on travel costs
✅ Reduce traffic congestion
✅ Cut your carbon footprint
✅ Start your day feeling energised

If you've been considering cycling to work, 6 August is the perfect opportunity to get started. Plan your route, dust off your bike, and join thousands of people across the UK choosing a greener way to travel.

Active Travel England has launched Worth Every Step, its delivery plan to support the Government's Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS 3) and make walking, wheeling and cycling the easiest and most affordable ways to travel. 🌱

Why does active travel matter?

✅ Improves physical and mental health
✅ Reduces congestion on our roads
✅ Lowers transport costs for households
✅ Creates healthier, more connected communities

The plan focuses on making everyday journeys safer and more accessible, particularly trips to schools, local shops, services and public transport hubs. Key actions include delivering 3,500 miles of safer routes, supporting towns and cities to develop Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), improving cycle access to rail stations, and publishing new guidance on rural active travel and women's safety.

Investing in active travel is an investment in healthier people, stronger communities and a more sustainable transport network. 🚶‍♀️🚲

Worth Every Step - Active Travel England's delivery plan 2026 to 2030 Sets out Active Travel England’s strategic priorities for 2026 to 2030.

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️ New Rural Design Guide from Active Travel England

Active Travel England has published its first-ever Rural Design Guide, providing councils and scheme designers with practical guidance to create better walking, wheeling and cycling routes in rural communities.

The guidance aims to make active travel safer, healthier and more accessible, helping people reach education, employment and local services without relying solely on the car.

The need is clear: almost two-thirds of all road deaths in Great Britain occur on rural roads, despite them carrying less traffic than urban roads.

A welcome step towards making rural travel safer and creating more opportunities for communities across England.

Read the full article below!

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New guidance to help councils deliver safer rural walking and cycling routes | Active Travel England Active Travel England (ATE) has today published its Rural Design Guide, providing local authorities with practical advice to plan and deliver safe, accessible and attractive walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

The Government has announced that the £2 single bus fare cap will be in place from January 2027, helping to make public transport more affordable for millions of passengers.

This measure could save people up to a third off the cost of a single journey, making everyday travel more accessible and supporting access to work, education, healthcare and leisure activities.

For Essex residents, this is a fantastic opportunity to encourage more people to choose the bus instead of the car. Not only can it help reduce travel costs, but it also supports more sustainable travel choices, helping to cut congestion and lower emissions.

Active travel is one of the simplest ways to improve your wellbeing while helping the environment.

By choosing to walk, wheel, cycle or use an e-bike, you can:

💚 Boost your physical and mental wellbeing
💷 Reduce travel costs
🌍 Lower your carbon footprint
🚗 Help ease congestion and improve air quality

Active travel doesn't have to mean a complete lifestyle change. Even swapping one short car journey each week can make a positive difference for you and the environment.

Have a look at this article for more tips:

Active travel Active travel is about getting you moving from A to B in ways that don’t use fossil fuels. Find out more about walking, cycling and ebikes.

Looking to get active, meet new people, and enjoy the outdoors?

Why not join a FREE Walk & Talk Club near you?

Walking is a fantastic way to boost your physical and mental wellbeing while connecting with others in your local community. Whether you're new to walking groups or a regular walker, there's something for everyone.

📍 Find free walking activities and many more health and wellbeing opportunities using the Active Essex Activity Finder, making it easy to discover local activities that suit your interests, fitness level, and schedule.

Have a look below:

findyouractive.activityfinder.net