Winners from this year’s Active Travel Challenge were recognised this week as it was announced the annual challenge recorded its highest level of participation since 2019, with organisers announcing a 15% increase in registrations compared to last year.

A total of 1,620 participants from 85 teams took part in this year’s challenge, which ran throughout the month of June and encouraged people across Northern Ireland to swap private car journeys for more active and sustainable travel modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport.

A significant increase was also recorded in the number of journeys being logged - up 33% from to last year - with a total of 27,120 journeys registered over the course of the challenge, estimated to have collectively saved over 18,000kg of CO₂ emissions and cost savings of more than £22,000.

The Active Travel Challenge is a collaborative initiative delivered by Translink, Department for Infrastructure, Public Health Agency, Sustrans, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and Belfast City Council, helping to encourage healthier, greener travel across the region. Together, the partners are committed to promoting a long-term modal shift toward healthier, greener, and more sustainable travel choices throughout Northern Ireland.

placeholder image — Pictured at the annual Active Travel Challenge Awards are Claire Pollock, Head of Sustrans Northern Ireland; Sharan Dustagheer from the Active Travel team at the Department of Infrastructure; Chris Conway Group CEO at Translink; Fiona Meenan, Senior manager Health Improvement at Belfast Trust; Maurice Meehan, Strategic Lead for Starting Week and Obesity Team at Public Health Agency; and Siobhan Toland, Director at Belfast City Council.

Claire Pollock, Head of Sustrans Northern Ireland said: “It’s clear to see that the Active Travel Challenge is a great way to encourage people to try new, active ways of making their regular commute, school journey or trip to the shops. The participation this year has been incredible, and people are seeing the benefits of incorporating active travel into their daily routine, in terms of their health, the environment and financial savings. I’d like to congratulate all the winning workplaces and individuals and hope they have been inspired to continue to travel actively.”

Commenting at the awards event hosted in Belfast Grand Central Station, Chris Conway Group CEO at Translink added: “Through this initiative, we’ve seen how small changes to the everyday commute can have a big impact on personal health, the environment, and our communities. This growth is also reflected in our increasing passenger numbers, with more than 81 million people using bus and rail services across Northern Ireland in the past year. We look forward to encouraging even more workplaces and individuals to take up the active travel challenge next year, making greener, healthier travel the first choice all year round.”

Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the PHA, said: “It is great to see such strong engagement with this year’s Active Travel Challenge. A 15% increase in participation shows that more people across Northern Ireland are recognising the value of building physical activity into their daily lives.”

Sharan Dustagheer from the Active Travel team at the Department of Infrastructure added: “It is encouraging to hear of people choosing walking, wheeling and cycling over the private car to make shorter everyday journeys and commutes. I am also impressed with the number of employers from across both the public and private sectors who have supported the initiative and are encouraging their employees to make the modal shift from the car and onto public transport or active travel means. Active Travel has many benefits and can contribute to sustainability, reducing the cost of travel, as well as helping to reduce our carbon footprint and promote health and wellbeing. As the Department continues to drive forward their Active Travel Delivery Plan I hope this is just a start of the journey.”

“Active travel is a simple yet powerful way to incorporate physical activity into our daily lives which can help improve wellbeing, reduce stress, lower the risk of developing chronic conditions and be better for the environment too. It is encouraging to see momentum growing and we hope this success inspires even more people to make active travel part of their daily routine.”

Category Winners

Workplace size category 3-19

Runner Up - Linen Quarter BID

Best team joint winners - North Belfast Team & Gray's Communications

Workplace size category 20-99

Runner up - OutForm Consulting

Best Team - Consumer Council

Workplace size category 100-499

Runner Up - RQIA

Best Team - Doran Consulting

Presentation of fourth award workplace size category 500-999

Runner Up - North West Regional College