Active Travel Birmingham Challenge

New challenge starting on Monday 3 October 2022 to Friday 28 October 2022 for all schools, workplaces, and residents!

Birmingham City Council is hosting the Active Travel Birmingham Challenge which will encourage people of all ages to form greener, healthier travel habits by walking, cycling or using public transport for their everyday trips. 

Participants will download the Active Travel Birmingham app and start recording their journeys, gaining points for walking, cycling, scooting, and using public transport. From walking to school, taking the bus to work, or cycling to the shops, every journey logged will gain points and help you climb the leader-boards.

There will also be a prize draw at the end of each week with vouchers to win. Links to download the app on Apple and Google devices to follow.

Keep updated on the Active Travel Birmingham Challenge webpage

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Bike around Birmingham this October

Cycle Parking Gift Scheme TfWM

Following the Commonwealth Games, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has up to 100 cycle parking stands available to organisations located within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. The deadline for applications for these cycle racks is Tuesday 4 October.

Apply for the cycle parking gift scheme

Cycling for Everyone

The legacy of the Commonwealth Games 2022 lives on for the West Midlands with the ‘Cycling for Everyone’ project, which makes it easier for more people to get active by cycling. You can access fantastic benefits such as cycle training, bike maintenance, led rides and cycle hire in your area!

Head to the TfWM website to find out more

Free West Midlands Cycle Hire Credits

You could get free use of West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes if you’re:

• living in an eligible local authority ward in the West Midlands
• aged 16 or over

Check if you are eligible for free credits and apply online

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Carbon Literacy Training

West Midlands Combined Authority and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are offering Carbon Literacy training to anyone across the West Midlands, as part of the Games’ sustainability ambition to create a carbon-neutral legacy for the region. The training has been developed to empower you to make a positive impact on climate change and help to influence others around you to drive action.

Start your carbon literacy journey

Clean Air Zone Scrappage and Travel Scheme

If you are the keeper of a vehicle which is not compliant with Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, you may be eligible to sign up for the Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme. This could enable you to receive £2000 worth of Travel Credits which can be used on public transport, or as discount on the purchase of a compliant vehicle through our partner, Motorpoint.

Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the West Midlands Region may be able to benefit from the Commercial Grant, which is financial support to upgrade Heavy Duty Vehicles and Light Goods Vehicles.

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Modeshift STARS Accreditations

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the workplaces and schools that gained Modeshift STARS accreditation in the last round, demonstrating excellence in the promotion of active and sustainable travel.

In Birmingham, a further 10 workplaces recently gained national standard accreditation (or increased their level). This includes Birmingham’s first workplaces to achieve Silver Accreditation - Midlands Arts Centre, Next Bullring store, and Next Sutton Coldfield store.

A further 16 schools also gained accreditation (or increased their level). This includes two Platinum Accreditations for Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School and Woodthorpe Primary School, one Gold Accreditation for Grendon Primary school, and one Silver Accreditation for St John and Monica Catholic Primary school.

Well done all!

If your workplace or school would like to find out more about participating in the Modeshift STARS scheme, please email connected@birmingham.gov.uk 

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Rail Strikes

Strike action will impact on the train services in the month of October. Due to this action, there will be no West Midlands Railway service on any route on Saturday 1 October, Wednesday 5 October and a significantly reduced service on some routes on Saturday 8 October. Some early morning services on Sunday 2 October, Thursday 6 October and Sunday 9 October may also be impacted due to the displacement of trains.

For further information visit the Industrial Action West Midlands Railway webpage

City Centre Traffic Restrictions

Birmingham is hosting the Conservative Party Conference 2022, which is taking place at the ICC on Sunday 2 October to Wednesday 5 October. To organise and facilitate the event, various road closures will apply in the immediate vicinity of the venue, on Cambridge Street, Broad Street, and Bridge Street between Tuesday 27 September and Friday 7 October.

These changes will mainly impact motorists. There are no restrictions for pedestrians. Find out how cyclists can gain access here.

You are advised to plan your journey and to walk, cycle or use public transport wherever possible. Business and leisure venues on Broad Street, Brindley Place and the surrounding areas will remain open as usual. Access to the Library of Birmingham and Register Office are unaffected; however you are advised to allow extra time for your journey.

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Have your say

Dartmouth Middleway/Great Lister Street/Lister Street junction improvement - The proposals will remove the right turn movements for all traffic from all arms of the junction to improve the traffic flow on the Middleway. It would enable buses and cyclists to continue to travel in both directions between Great Lister Street and Lister Street through a proposed bus gate. Consultation closes on 10 October 2022

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Dates for the diary

International Walk to School Month -  Saturday 1 October to Monday 31 October. During this month, Living Streets are particularly keen to hear about what walking is like around the globe. Share your Walk to School story.

Active Travel Birmingham Challenge - Monday 3 October to Friday 28 October. Download the Active Travel Birmingham app and start recording your journeys, gaining points for walking, cycling, scooting, and using public transport.

Modeshift STARS Normalising Cycling Webinar - Thursday 6 October. This webinar is all about normalising cycling, by making it an attractive and safe means of transportation, not only for the dedicated few, but for all, independent of age, gender, or fitness. Sign up for the Webinar.

TravelWise Week - Sunday 16 October to Saturday 22 October. TravelWise Week provides the perfect opportunity to promote sustainable travel and raise awareness about the impacts of active travel on the environment and people’s health and wellbeing. A toolkit for businesses is available providing ideas and free resources. Email connected@birmingham.gov.uk for the toolkit. Find out more about TravelWise Week.

The Sustainable Business Summit - Wednesday 2 November. This summit is hosted by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and aims to share best practice, guidance and knowledge to improve business know-how and progression to net zero. Sign up to attend the Sustainable Business Summit.

Brake Road Safety Week - Monday 14 November to Sunday 20 November. The theme for this year’s Road Safety Week is ‘Safe Roads for All’. Organisations are being urged to help employees understand how to protect themselves and other road users through good policies, procedures, training and education. Take part in Road Safety Week.

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Please email the Birmingham Connected team if you would like to be added to or removed from our mailing list: connected@birmingham.gov.uk

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Article posted on 28 September 2022