Walking and cycling are the most sustainable ways to get around and one of the easiest ways to improve one’s health at the same time. Increased walking and cycling will contribute to reducing the blight of traffic congestion (most car journeys are less than one mile). In turn, reducing the number of vehicles on the road can contribute to improvements in local air quality and take an important step towards tackling climate change. Increased levels of walking and cycling will create more liveable streets, a healthier population and an improved quality of life.

See below for more information on what Transition Chesterfield are doing to promote walking and cycling in Chesterfield, and follow the link at the left to learn more about our Fossil Fuel to Pedal Power Project, sadly now complete but offered bike training and bike maintenance workshops.

Pedestrian friendly

Transition Chesterfield want to see Chesterfield become more pedestrian-friendly.  Most of Chesterfield town centre is an attractive, pedestrian-friendly environment which makes it a pleasant place to shop and visit. The attractive, largely car-free market areas are one of Chesterfield’s best assets. However many parts of Chesterfield are not pedestrian-friendly and some of the key walking routes from the main residential areas into town have a number of problems associated with them. .

Walking Routes Audit: In order to promote walking and reduce dependency on cars Transition Chesterfield is working with Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, the Ramblers, and Walking for Health groups, to map and audit key walking routes in the borough, and identify gaps and areas for improvement. More details on the project can be found in the attached aims and actions. If you would like help audit a walking route please get in touch with Lisa at transitionchesterfield@yahoo.co.uk

Transition Chesterfield’s Pedestrian Audit report looks at selected strategic pedestrian routes into and around Chesterfield town centre which need improvements, and recommends ways to encourage more people to walk these routes

Safe Routes to School

Transition Chesterfield would like to see more children walking and cycling to school as there are many benefits including giving children (and their parents/carers) fresh air and daily exercise; reducing congestion at peak school hours; and reducing dangerous parking conditions outside school gates. The need to promote child road safety and alternatives to driving to school, has been a consistent message from Government over many years. Unfortunately in Chesterfield, as in many other towns across the UK, the numbers of children walking or cycling to school overall are still relatively low (50%) and in some schools are very low. Transition Chesterfield’s report Safe Routes to School addresses what is happening in Chesterfield to support children to walk and cycle to school safely and what further steps are needed.  Follow the link on the left for a summary of the report. 

Cycling

Transition Chesterfield works closely with the Chesterfield Cycle Campaign who aim to improve cycling facilities in Chesterfield.  They have lots of useful info and resources on their website and produce the Chesterfield Cycle Map which is available from the Visitor Information Centre, Tapton Lock Visitors Centre and the Campaign for £1.

The Cycle Campaign work closely with Derbyshire County Council to implement the 'Chesterfield Cycle Network'. A long term goal to achieve a joined up network of colour coded cycle routes across the town. Here is the schematic map of the system when complete http://www.chesterfieldcc.org.uk/sites/default/files/image/Underground%20map/ugmap.jpg