Show your council where you need safe space for social distancing
It’s really easy, just use the map below, provided by Widen My Path, to identify where measures are needed in your area to enable people to walk and cycle safely as lockdown eases. You can also “agree” with other suggestions you think are good – just click on the pins to see the detail and click ‘agree’.
When you’re done, please email your council using our draft emails, to make sure they use this information when planning where to create safe space for walking and cycling. If you’re in Northern Ireland, there is no need to contact your council – we’ll be speaking directly to the Executive about Widen My Path.
Before you use Widen My Path, check if you’re council is already running their own consultation on the Active Travel Interventions Map below. If they are, you can also respond directly to them.
ONCE YOU’VE ADDED YOUR SUGGESTIONS, LET YOUR COUNCIL KNOW
ONCE YOU’VE ADDED YOUR SUGGESTIONS, LET YOUR COUNCIL KNOW
To add new ideas to the map, simply:
1. Zoom in to where you want to place the pin. If you’re too zoomed out, you can’t place a new pin. Check nearby pins to make sure your idea hasn’t already been suggested
2. On the right hand side, select whether your suggestion relates to a cycle way, a pavement, or a road closure
3. Explain exactly what you think is needed, and why.
4. Share with friends, family and colleagues – higher engagement will show the council just how important this is.
It’s vital that people are able to walk and cycle safely during the lockdown and beyond. .
Safe space is also hugely important for key workers, many of whom are choosing to cycle to hospitals, care homes and other essential workplaces to avoid the risk of public transport. This will only become more urgent when the lockdown is eased and public transport, roads and pavements get busier.
USE OUR INTERACTIVE MAP TO SHOW YOUR COUNCIL WHERE SAFE SPACE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING IS NEEDED
What has been achieved already?
Over 10,000 people have written to their council. Many local authorities closed streets for cycling and walking and create temporary bike lanes to hospitals. The map below shows where councils have taken measures to create safe space for social distancing. If the council hasn’t yet taken action, use the Widen My Path map above to show them where measures are needed, then let your council know.
The Scottish Government has committed £10m to support councils to introduce these measures, while the Government at Westminster has put forward £225m for temporary measures, with details of a more funding coming soon. In Wales, the Welsh Government have made funds available for local authority applications, and in Northern Ireland the Department for Infrastructure – who have the power to make the changes – have also responded positively.