IMAGE: Dave Dickinson , founder of Sheffield Environmental
Sheffield Environmental has launched a petition to recognise the ‘Sheffield Steel Wheel’ as an active travel route.
The organisation’s vision is to join existing trails in an outer ring road as well as ‘spokes’ from the Steel Wheel into the city centre, where people can walk, cycle or run to their destinations rather than reverting straight to getting in the car.
Dave Dickinson (pictured), 39, founded Sheffield Environmental in 2015 and launched the petition on Sunday.
He said: “I just see it as a no-brainer really that should have already been done. I think that every town and city in the country should really have something like this because it’s a foundation to move and create a new travel system.
“Boosting active travel gives people the opportunity to get out actively so they are moving more. It helps prevent circulatory issues that are causing a lot of health problems and a lot of strain on the NHS.”
The scheme aims to tackle environmental issues such as reducing pollution as well as improving road safety and the physical health of individuals.
The promotion of active travel refers to travelling whilst maintaining consideration for the environment, subsequently improving the physical health of an individual.
Mr Dickinson said: “It just needs the politicians to go ‘yeah, we’ll work together on that now’ because it has got legs and people are saying it is a great idea. It’s just making that final push.”
The idea was inspired by the Guild Wheel, Preston, a 21-mile active travel route well-signposted in the Preston area.
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, was unavailable to comment on the matter but has previously shown enthusiasm for active travel by attending an active travel conference.
Dave Dickinson is active in many events encouraging cycling participation and has led the ‘drum and bass on a bike’ around the city for the previous two years.
He said: “Sheffield Environmental is my platform for putting what I see needs doing forwards as well as trying to unite everyone that’s taking action for a cleaner, greener world, in the Sheffield area.’’
According to a study by ‘Transport for Quality of Life’, if England were to match Dutch levels of cycling participation, it could save $17 billion in 20 years due to reduced pollution.
The petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/designate-the-sheffield-steel-wheel-as-an-active-travel-route