Strategic Priority 5: Low Carbon and Active Transport

Strategic Priority 5: Low Carbon and Active Transport  

Rethink your transport - Take opportunities to drive less, car share, use public transport, cycle, or walk 

• Cut down your car journeys: think before you drive - is that journey essential or is there another way to get there? Driving one mile less in an average UK car at 36mpg will save you 530g of carbon.   
• Car sharing can save you 50-80% of this carbon.  
• Using the train, bus or bike if travelling alone can save 40-98% of this carbon   
• Cycling is better for you than driving or getting public transport. It can help you lose weight, reduce stress, and improve fitness. Details of cycle paths in Sunderland can be found here: Cycling and Walking Maps - Go Smarter (gosmartergoactive.co.uk) 
• If you are planning to travel via bus or train you can plan your journey with helpful information here: Public transport and travel information - Sunderland City Council 

Better Points

• BetterPoints is a FREE to use award-winning behaviour change platform targeting modal shift to active and sustainable travel. The app tracks your travel movements via GPS using your smartphone and rewards you with points for using more sustainable modes of transport like walking, cycling, and using public transport. Points can then be exchanged for rewards such as discounts in local shops, free coffees, vouchers, or charity donations. 

Use your nearest amenities 

• Shopping locally and more sustainably is perfectly suited for those who are trying to minimise their environmental impact. 
• You help support local businesses. Buying from a local business or charity shop, whether from a market stall, an actual shop, or an online shop, is a great way to support them financially show them you love what they do. 
• Use a journey planner to plan a shorter, more sustainable route - Plan Your Journey | Traveline.  

Cycle Hubs provide Dr Bike, cycle training, lead bike rides and reconditioned bikes. Find out more:  

• St Peter's Cycle & Sports Hub | Facebook  Beside the Glass Centre.  ​​​​​
• Bike Riding & Cycling | Sunderland Young People's Bike Project (sypbp.co.uk)  Thompson Park.  

Look into Car Sharing

• Save fuel costs and improve air quality through car sharing: Car share from near Sunderland, UK - Liftshare.com, share your ride! Go smarter to work - Sunderland City Council

Invest in an EV rather than petrol or diesel car   

• EVs emit on average more than 3 times less CO2 than equivalent petrol cars. 
• The EV chargepoint grant provides funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle smart chargepoints at domestic properties across the UK. To find out more please visit: Grant schemes for electric vehicle charging infrastructure - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Fly less or not at all   

• Carbon savings depend on the distance and type of flight. A return from London to Hong Kong is 3.5 tonnes of carbon per person.  
• If you do need to fly, offset carbon through a carbon offsetting scheme. 

Find out what is in your area by using the local access map and our helpful user guide.