Active Travel at Active Blackpool
Walk. Wheel. Cycle. Move More Every Day.
Whether you’re walking to the shops, cycling to work or wheeling through your local neighbourhood, choosing active ways to travel is a simple way to move more, feel better and enjoy everything Blackpool has to offer.
Small changes to everyday journeys can improve your health, boost your wellbeing, save money and help create a cleaner, greener community for everyone.
Make every journey count with Active Travel.
What is Active Travel?
Imagine feeling healthier, happier and more energised simply by changing the way you travel.
Active travel is all about making everyday journeys part of a healthier lifestyle. Instead of always relying on the car, it means choosing to walk, wheel or cycle for trips such as commuting to work, taking the children to school, visiting friends, running errands or getting out and about in Blackpool.
The great thing about active travel is that it doesn’t require major changes to your routine. By building movement into journeys you’re already making, you can improve your health, save money on travel costs and help create a cleaner, greener environment.
Even small changes can have a big impact, and swapping just one short car journey each week for a walk, wheel or bike ride is a great place to start.
Active travel isn’t about going further or faster. It’s about finding simple ways to move more, enjoy your surroundings and make everyday journeys work harder for your health and wellbeing.
The benefits of Active Travel
Active travel is one of the easiest ways to become more active without setting aside extra time for exercise. By making active choices for everyday journeys, you can:
Improve Your Physical Health
Walking, wheeling and cycling are simple ways to build more activity into your day. Regular active travel can improve fitness, strengthen your heart and muscles, help you maintain a healthy weight and support healthy ageing.
Boost Your Mental Wellbeing
Getting outdoors and moving more can do wonders for your wellbeing. Active travel can help reduce stress, lift your mood, improve confidence and leave you feeling more energised throughout the day.
Help the Environment
Choosing active travel for everyday journeys helps reduce traffic, improve air quality and lower carbon emissions. It’s a small change that can make a big difference to creating cleaner, healthier communities.
Save Your Money
Walking and cycling are low-cost ways to get around. By driving less, you can save money on fuel, parking and vehicle maintenance while staying active at the same time.
Connect with Your Community
Active travel helps you experience Blackpool in a different way. You can discover local parks and community spaces, support local businesses and feel more connected to the people and places around you.
Create Stronger Communities
When more people choose to walk, wheel or cycle, the benefits go beyond the individual. Active travel helps create healthier, greener and more connected communities, making Blackpool a better place for everyone to live, work and visit.
Choose your active journey
Why choose walking?
Walking is one of the easiest ways to get started with active travel. It doesn’t require any special equipment and can easily fit into your daily routine, whether you’re heading to the shops, taking the children to school or exploring your local area.
- Easy to fit into everyday life
- No special equipment or membership needed
- Enjoy your surroundings at a slower pace
- A great way to explore local parks and neighbourhoods
- Accessible for people of all ages and abilities
- Can be combined with public transport
Even small changes, like walking part of your journey or getting off the bus one stop earlier, can help you move more throughout the week.
Why choose cycling?
Cycling is a practical and enjoyable way to travel further while staying active. Whether you’re commuting, visiting friends or exploring Blackpool’s coastline and green spaces, cycling gives you the freedom to make the most of every journey.
- Travel further in less time than walking
- Enjoy a greater sense of independence
- Explore more of Blackpool and beyond
- Often quicker for short journeys than driving and parking
- Ideal for commuting, leisure rides and everyday errands
- A fun way to discover new routes and places
Once you build your confidence, cycling can become a convenient and enjoyable part of your everyday routine.
Getting started with walking
Walking is one of the easiest ways to become more active and can quickly become part of your daily routine. Start small and build it into journeys you already make.
- Choose one regular journey each week to walk instead of driving
- Walk part of your journey and use public transport for the rest
- Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator where possible
- Explore local parks, promenades and green spaces on foot
- Add a short walk to your lunch break or daily routine
Small changes can soon add up, helping you build healthy habits that fit naturally into everyday life.
Getting started with cycling
Cycling is a practical way to travel around town and a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Starting slowly can help you build confidence and make cycling part of your routine.
- Choose a bike that feels comfortable and suits the journeys you make
- Start with short rides on quieter roads or cycle paths
- Practise signalling, road positioning and basic cycling skills
- Plan routes using cycle lanes and traffic-free paths where possible
- Use cycling for short everyday trips, such as visiting shops or friends
You don’t need expensive equipment or lots of experience to get started. A few short rides can soon become a regular part of your everyday travel.
Staying safe whilst walking
Walking is a simple and enjoyable way to travel around Blackpool. Taking a few simple precautions can help you stay safe and confident on busy streets and shared paths.
- Use pedestrian crossings where available
- Stay alert to traffic, cyclists and other path users
- Wear bright or reflective clothing in low-light conditions
- Avoid distractions when crossing roads, such as using your phone
- Follow local footpaths, pavements and signage
- Allow extra time and take care at junctions and road crossings
A little awareness can help make every walk safer and more enjoyable, whether you’re travelling to work, the shops or exploring your local area.
Staying safe whilst cycling
Cycling is a convenient way to get around town, and a few simple checks can help keep your journey safe and stress-free.
- Check your tyres, brakes and gears before setting off
- Use lights and reflectors when visibility is poor
- Wear bright or reflective clothing to help you be seen
- Position yourself clearly and signal your intentions to other road users
- Stay aware of pedestrians, vehicles and other cyclists
- Follow traffic signs, signals and cycle lane markings where provided
By planning ahead and riding confidently, you can enjoy cycling safely while making the most of Blackpool’s roads, cycle routes and seafront paths.
Cycling for everyone
At Active Blackpool, we believe cycling should be accessible, affordable and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re looking to get more active, travel differently, spend time outdoors or simply try something new, cycling offers a fantastic way to improve your health and wellbeing while exploring your local area.
Our cycling opportunities include:
- Bikeability cycle training for children and young people in local schools
- Pedal Power, providing refurbished bikes to eligible Blackpool residents
- Wheels for All adapted cycling sessions for people with disabilities and additional needs
We also work with local partners and community organisations to remove barriers to cycling, helping more people access bikes, develop new skills and enjoy the benefits of active travel.
Whatever your starting point, our friendly team can help you take the first step towards cycling with confidence.
Learn, ride and build confidence
Throughout the year, we run a variety of instructor-led sessions to help people develop their skills, gain confidence and enjoy cycling in a safe and supportive environment.
Our sessions include:
- Balance Bike Sessions for young children getting started on two wheels
- Learn to Ride Sessions for children and adults who want to develop cycling skills and confidence
- Guided Cycle Rides for those looking to explore local routes
- Learn to Fix Workshops covering basic bike maintenance and repairs
Whether you’re cycling for fun, fitness or everyday travel, there’s something for everyone.
Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for details of upcoming cycling sessions, events and opportunities to get involved.
Active Travel Partners
Love to Ride
Love to Ride is a free online platform that helps people cycle more often. Whether you’re a regular rider or haven’t been on a bike for years, it makes cycling fun and easy.
With Love to Ride you can:
- Log your rides
- Set goals and earn badges
- Access cycling tips and courses
- Connect with other riders
- Join challenges and win prizes
Simply sign up, add your workplace, and start riding!
Cycling UK
Cycling UK helps more people enjoy cycling through free local projects and community groups.
With Cycling UK you can:
- Learn to ride or build your confidence
- Get your bike checked or repaired
- Join guided group rides
- Meet new people and make friends
- Improve your health and wellbeing
Whether you’re new to cycling or getting back on a bike after a break, Cycling UK offers fun, friendly support to help you cycle more.
* These documents are hosted on a third-party organisation and may not meet our required accessibility standards.