With schools in Brighton & Hove reopening, the council is working to support the safe return of children to the classroom.
Many of us are also becoming more comfortable going into the city’s bars, cafés and restaurants with some of us also making the transition back to offices and workplaces.
Over the last few months, with Covid-19 affecting all of our lives, the council has made changes to our transport network and public spaces to support travel measures. Ensuring safer movement is one of the key ways we can support the economic recovery of the city out of lockdown.
Doing nothing wasn’t an option – and we know we now need to look at changing the way we travel, so that everyone can take the journeys they need to.
Lead member for Transport, Pete West said: “We have seen significant changes to the way people are travelling and working.
“More people are cycling and walking because there is reduced capacity on public transport as a result of social distancing requirements. Fewer people are using their cars and more of us continue to work from home, as people are still taking decisions over whether it is safe enough for them to return to work.
“With schools reopening,we need to change our travel habits to ensure we can all move around our city safely.
“I know that for many, especially those with disabilities and mobility issues, leaving the car at home is not an option. But those of us who do have to use a car, need to be able to do so without having to contend with new traffic congestion on our roads. We want to make it possible for those of us who can change our travel habits, to do so.
With the full reopening of schools in September, more of us will be travelling with our children to and from the school gate during drop-off and pick-up times.
Many children, parents and carers will already be planning to walk, cycle or scoot their way back to the classroom, and we’d like to support even more families and pupils to choose active travel options. This also helps minimise pollution at the school gates.
You can read more about school travel on our website.
We realise that this is not an option for everyone, but for those that can, active travel can be a healthy and sustainable way of getting children to and from school that can ease congestion for those who need to use a car.
School streets
13 schools will be taking part in the city’s School Streets project, which aims to help get children safely back to school by making extra physical distancing space at the school gate.
The project will see temporary timed closures of roads close to schools’ entrances during drop-off and pick-up times, during term time.
You can read more about the School Streets project, including answers to frequently asked questions on our School Streets page.
Travelling to school by bus
Brighton & Hove has a comprehensive network of bus routes to support travel around the city. While the Covid-19 pandemic has meant capacity on these services has been reduced, steps have been taken to help get children to school safely.
As well as operating the same services for school children to use as they did last year, Brighton & Hove Buses will also be converting some regular bus journeys to ‘school children only’ buses for the most relevant part of the journey.
More details on what the bus company is doing to support school travel and keep children safe can be found on their website.
The city’s cycle lanes are supporting more of us to jump on our bikes and choose this healthy and sustainable form of travel for leisure and commuting. We also have an online cycle map so you can plan your journey or explore new parts of the city by bike.
Did you know that the city’s cycle lane network allows you to pedal your way from West Hove to Brighton Marina? From the Palace Pier to Hove Lawns? From Patcham, through Valley Gardens and down to the seafront?
BTN BikeShare
With more than one million journeys made since it was launched in 2017, BTN BikeShare is one of the most successful bike share schemes in the UK. With more than 600 bikes at over 70 hubs around the city, it’s an ideal way to travel for residents and visitors.
Highly commended for Excellence in Walking and Cycling Award at the 2019 National Transport Awards, BTN BikeShare has seen users cycle more than two million miles in less than three years and continues to be a popular choice for people travelling to and from work.
eCargo bikes
Earlier this year we were awarded £85,000 for 12 new eCargo bikes for the city. They’ve become an increasingly popular mode of transport for families carrying small children and for local businesses, transport goods and services around the city.
In September, we’ll also be hosting an eCargo Expo where you’ll be able to see some eCargo bikes up close, see them being used and speak to retailers and bike trainers.
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During the early stages of lockdown, more of us discovered walking for pleasure as part of our once-a-day form of exercise.
As we came out of lockdown, the council widened a number of footways to support the reopening of retail and hospitality businesses and allow people to physically distance when walking around busy parts of the city.
Walking is a quick, easy and healthy way to get around a compact city like ours, but it can be more than just getting from A to B. Visit Brighton has lots more information about some of the best routes as well as maps and guides to help you find your way.
Our website also has information about ways we’re supporting walking in the city.
