In the latest residents’ survey, 4 in every 5 people said their short journeys were made on foot, by bike or on public transport. The council is working hard to help everyone else do the same.

Leaving the car at home helps cut congestion on the roads, improves the quality of the air we breathe and also reduces the amount of ‘greenhouse gases’ that are harmful to our environment. But that’s not all, because the evidence is overwhelming that walking and cycling are also good for our physical and mental wellbeing. Everyone is a winner.

However, it’s not always easy to do. And, 1 in 5 people in the survey said they did not walk or cycle more often because they didn’t feel safe, or they thought cycle routes were unsafe.

That is why the council is spending £28million on schemes to improve road safety, reduce congestion and air pollution. All with the aim of making it more convenient, pleasant and safer to walk, cycle or wheel from A to B.

This has included resurfacing more than 6 miles of roads and almost 5 miles of pavements. And new, and improved, cycle lanes.

‘Healthier and less stressful’

Did you know the borough now has 41 school street schemes? These close the streets around a school to most traffic at the start and end of the school day – to make it safer and more enjoyable for pupils to do their school journeys on foot, bikes or scooters.

Another 9 schemes will be added by February 2026, taking the total up to 50. Since September 2020, school streets have seen school-related driving in cars reduce by 18% and walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school increase by 29%.

Drayton Green Primary recently joined the school street scheme. Deputy headteacher Laura Richter said: “We used to have cars flying down the road and some children have nearly been run over. Now, the roads are so much safer in the mornings and it’s healthier and less stressful for the children.

“We’re seeing children walking when they possibly wouldn’t have before and biking or scooting to school. They’re also coming to school less stressed and more ready to learn, because they’ve had some exercise.”

Getting about by bike

Rental e-bikes and e-scooters continue to be popular, and, in March, they were introduced to Greenford and Northolt for the first time, meaning they can now be hired anywhere in the borough.

The council helped 417 adults and 1,094 children learn to ride bicycles last year.

And, if you have limited space to store a bike at home there are now 132 bike hangars placed across the borough by the council. Another 18 will be added this year, taking the total up to 150.

‘Reducing isolation’

Kuldip is a wheelchair user and group ride leader from cycling group Let’s Ride Southall, which is supported by the council. He said: “We’re getting lots of people active via our group bike rides, and a huge benefit of that is reducing isolation, breaking down cultural barriers and improving people’s mental health.”

Did you know?

• the number of cyclists has increased by 30% on Mandeville Road in Northolt compared to last year, since a new cycle lane was installed at the Mandeville/Ealing Road junction
• there are now more than 1,000 electric vehicle charge points in the borough – 375 more than in March 2024
• 6 new cycle lanes are planned for west Southall, Boston Road, Iron Bridge, Horn Lane, Uxbridge Road and Yeading Lane/Kingshill Avenue