Bicycles and bagels: active travel roadshows arrive in south Essex

Residents across south Essex are being encouraged to head to their local town centre for the chance to win prizes – and compete against family and friends in a static bike race.

The ‘Active Travel Roadshow’ aims to promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport to businesses and residents in south Essex.

The roadshow is organised by South Essex Active Travel (SEAT), a collaborative project between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Essex County Council and Thurrock Council.

SEAT is working to provide jobseekers, young people, newly recruited employees, students, lower socio-economic communities and volunteers with targeted travel advice and active travel incentives to better connect them with jobs, education and training opportunities across south Essex.

At the Active Travel Roadshows, SEAT will be advising people one-to-one and helping them create personalised travel plans to meet their needs and open up new opportunities.

Anyone who completes a travel plan will be entered into a prize draw to win a £400 voucher to spend at a local bike shop. They will also receive a complimentary bagel, provided by The Bagelry.

The roadshow will also feature free bike servicing and giveaways including earphones and re-usable water bottles for people who engage with the SEAT team.

Councillor Tony Cox, representing SEAT, said: “Getting out in the fresh air and being active is at the heart of this Department for Transport-funded project.

“I would like to encourage people to come along to these roadshows, to enjoy the fun, freebies and competitions – but also to think about how they travel around the area, be it to work or to our education or training facilities.

“If there are steps people could take to be more active in their day-to-day, it could have a very positive impact on their health and well-being, as well as cutting congestion.”

To find out more about the roadshow events and active travel, visit the Ideas in Motion website.