Active Travel Campaign, ‘Go Smarter, Go Active’

The Go Smarter, Go Active campaign is an active travel campaign that has been created to help more people walk and cycle in the region as it bounces back from the impact of the pandemic. Its purpose is to inspire and instill confidence in the people of the North East to travel more actively and sustainably, so that carbon emissions are reduced and people can lead healthier lives- two of the North East Transport Plan’s key aims.

In parts of the North East cycling is up between 5%-120%, and active travel is more popular than ever as people keep up their new love of walking and cycling post lockdown.

active travel campaign Go Smarter Go Active days out guide itinerary on a tablet.

New resources were recently launched to help people make smarter, active travel choices using our well-developed and region-wide cycling and walking network. The resources include:

A new interactive cycling and walking map of the region to help people plan more sustainable journeys for leisure or work purposes. PDF maps showing cycling and walking routes in the North East are also available.
16 new active travel itineraries, providing inspiration for fun days out across the North East that can be explored on foot or by bike.

Gallery of cyclists who attended the Go Smarter Go Active cycling roadshow. Images show an older couple smiling on bikes, a young boy getting help from a trainer and an adult man cycling.

Previous campaign activity included a seven-week Go Smarter, Go Active roadshow that toured the North East, helping both children and adults to improve their cycling confidence, upskill with bike maintenance and refresher sessions as well as learn how to ride. It was extremely popular with 91% of people surveyed saying they would cycle more and 94% of people saying their cycling confidence had improved as a result of the sessions they attended.

The campaign is being delivered by Transport North East on behalf of the North East Joint Transport Committee, and involves close work with the seven North East local authorities and Nexus.

Funding for this campaign has been provided by the Government’s Active Travel Fund.

Follow the Go Smarter, Go Active social media accounts to keep up with campaign activity and for daily active travel inspiration:

Facebook: @gosmartergoactive

Twitter: @Go_smarterNE

Instagram: @gosmartergoactive

YouTube: Go Smarter, Go Active

Campaigns & Initiatives

Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2

Transport North East, working in partnership with Arriva North East, Go North East and Stagecoach North East, recently submitted an application to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Buses Regional Areas 2 programme (ZEBRA 2). If successful, this funding

Transport Decarbonisation – funding programme

North East MPs and transport leaders are backing a new £19.5m bid to decarbonise transport through the delivery of new electric buses and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging facilities.