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Supporting Active Travel

This briefing paper looks at the evidence base and discusses how practitioners might support active travel.

Potential benefits of active travel

A range of health benefits is associated with participation in regular physical activity; for example physical (e.g. reductions in coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, type II diabetes, low bone density hence osteoporosis, being overweight or obese and, in older people, accidents) and mental (e.g. improved self-esteem and well-being) health related outcomes.

It is accepted that particularly significant health gains can be derived for those who are relatively sedentary and that promoting an ‘active living’ approach to physical activity with this group is the most appropriate to their needs. Within this, everyday travel is clearly a significant type of activity.

This paper explores and discusses the evidence base for active travel, examining general travel trends, travel to work, walking and cycling as a means of transport. As well as identifying the determinants that influence active travel choices and the design of appropriate active travel interventions.

   

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