New initiative launched to encourage walking wheeling or cycling into Bingham
Last updated: 19/3/2025
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is encouraging residents to walk, wheel or cycle when making journeys into Bingham and other town centres in the Borough for a healthier and greener future.
Active travel methods boost physical activity and provide numerous health and wellbeing benefits, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and improving heart health. It can also help save money by lowering travel costs compared to driving and parking.
By choosing to leave the car at home, residents can help to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint by improving air quality, reducing pollution and preventing traffic congestion.
To support active travel in Bingham, RBC is delivering a project to encourage more sustainable journeys into the town centre with new ‘Step into Bingham’ walking and wheeling map routes that are available to download on the RBC website.
The maps have been developed with partners RideWise to identify safe walking routes from all of the major residential areas of Bingham to the town centre and all routes will be waymarked using colour coded arrows.
Hard copies will also be produced and placed in community venues and businesses in the town for residents to access and large maps will also be displayed at Newgate Street car park.
A free information event will take place at Bingham Marketplace on Saturday March 22 from 10am to 1pm where RBC’s Community Safety Team and Nottinghamshire Police will be offering free bike marking and registering to help reduce the risk of bike theft.
Rushcliffe Cycle Tech will also be carrying out free bike maintenance and repairs.
At the session, RideWise will be promoting the ‘Step into Bingham’ map and talking to residents about incorporating physical activity in daily life through active methods of travel. Children and adults alike can also have a go on their smoothie bike where they can pedal themselves a free smoothie!
Pupils and teachers from Toot Hill School joined officers at Bingham Buttercross to mark the launch of this new health and wellbeing initiative.
Toot Hill School Head Teacher Dr Chris Eardley said: “At Toot Hill School and Sixth Form College, we are very proud of our students for the manner in which they access public transport. The majority of our students travel to school via bus. The remainder tend to walk to school.
“Our curriculum teaches students about the importance of reducing the carbon footprint and their part in ensuring that we protect the environment for future generations. Furthermore, our students understand the importance of exercise to their long-term health and wellbeing.
“Consequently, we are delighted to support the local community with this great initiative as we would love to see an increase in safe and active travel for our school community.”
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “Active travel is about making walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around for a healthier and more sustainable method of transport.
“We’ve developed some new maps offering safe and accessible walking and wheeling routes in and around Bingham that will be free to access online and largely available at local community centres and businesses.
“This is a great time to get started as we approach the sunnier and warmer seasons where we know getting outdoors and enjoying fresh air can boost our mental health and wellbeing.
“We’re really pleased to work with RideWise and partners on this initiative. It’s also fantastic to see local students and teachers from Toot Hill School highlight the importance of safely walking and using public transport for a healthier and greener future.
“Come along to our community engagement event on Saturday March 22 at Bingham Marketplace where you can find out more about the ‘Step into Bingham’ maps.”
The project has also overseen improved cycle storage installed in the marketplace and further cycle storage will be installed at Newgate Street car park by the end of the month.
RiseWise Chief Executive Helen Hemstock said: “We are delighted to support the launch of this new walking and wheeling map, and we look forward to speaking with local residents at the upcoming market event to hear their thoughts and promote healthier and greener travel options.”