Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales, got on his bike recently to discover more about active travel in Denbighshire.

He and fellow MS Gareth Davies, who represents the Vale of Clwyd, recently met with representatives of Sustrans Cymru, who are part of a UK-wide charity promoting active travel such as travelling on foot or by bicycle.

Mr Rowlands said: “I was delighted to meet up with Sustrans Cymru’s director and active journeys officer for Denbighshire, Christine Boston and Gwen Thomas respectively, to look at some of the local active travel routes and find out more about the opportunities and challenges for active travel in Wales.

“As part of the national scheme, local authorities are required to have a map of routes planned for active travel upgrades.

“We walked from Rhyl Marina along Route 784 to Rhuddlan. We also took to the saddle to see the National Cycle Network Routes 5, along the North Wales Coast and Route 84, from Rhyl to Rhuddlan and St Asaph.

“It was fascinating to hear what routes are now available in the county, and full praise should go to the authority for what they have been able to do so far.

“Active travel is not just important for the fight against climate change and reducing air pollution. It is also great for our physical health and wellbeing, and I am happy to support any measures to encourage more people to walk and cycle.”

In Sustrans Cymru’s 2021 manifesto (‘Tomorrow’s Wales, for Everyone'), the organisation’s vision involves a society in which everyone is able to walk or cycle in their neighbourhoods.

It includes investing in safe and healthy travel, inspiring future generations to walk or cycle, and transport for everyone.

Their Active Journeys Programme in Wales is also encouraging children to confidently, easily and safely travel to school by foot, bike or scooter.

Ysgol Llywelyn in Rhyl has already taken up the challenge and has achieved bronze and silver Active Travel School Awards.

These are awarded to schools who have worked to bring about organisational, cultural and behavioural changes which help the school community choose to travel in more active and sustainable ways.

The school promoted active travel to school through events, classroom work, and the installation of cycle and scooter storage, with help from Denbighshire County Council.