Group encourages people to make different travel choices
First Better Journey Day on Friday
A new group is hoping to show that the car does not have to be the default choice for making journeys in Guernsey.
The Better Journey Project is a non-profit organisation focused on encouraging sustainable travel – whether on foot, by bike, bus or car-pooling.
It has launched Better Journey Day, the first of which happens on Friday.
The project is not anti-car, but is about people choosing a better means of travel where possible.
Committee member Richard Agnelli said: ‘The Better Journey Day is for everyone and will be held on the first Friday of every month, starting on 6th May.
‘We want to encourage Islanders to make that better choice for themselves. The Better Journey Day is an initiative that aims to show islanders that travelling without defaulting to the car can be a normal part of everyday life. The island will need more property development, and that requires a focus on traffic management. Also, with fuel prices and the cost of living rising, this is a great way to save money.’
Mark Smith is another committee member.
‘This is your Better Journey Day. Make it fun, an adventure, do it with friends, neighbours or colleagues,’ he said.
‘Maybe share a car, take the bus, cycle or walk together. Take the quieter roads, find a view not noticed before. Start the day with breakfast somewhere or end it with a drink on the way home. Benefit your health and maybe your pocket whilst also doing your bit for the environment.’
Details and a graphic to promote the day can be found at www.betterjourneys.gg/better-journey-day, where you can also register and make a pledge about your journey.
You can also follow on social media with the hashtag #betterjourneys.
The Project also has two other initiatives aimed at organisations: a toolkit for Health and Wellbeing/Sports and Social Committees with ideas to encourage their members to travel more sustainably; and a toolkit to help organisations to implement Sustainable Travel Action Plans.
‘With ESG standards now being adopted, and organisations assessing their CO2 emissions and how those might be reduced, our toolkits can help them turn aspirations and plans into actions and results,’ said Mark.
Committee member Barrie Duerden said: ‘When considering the big picture of the Guernsey economy, it’s clear we face a demographic time-bomb with more islanders retiring and a shrinking pool of labour as a consequence. The best way to solve the issue – estimated at £85m each year by Government – is to increase tax revenue. This is best done through having more taxpayers, which means more housing. This will increase the load on our transport infrastructure unless islanders think about each journey that they make and make it more sustainable. This would also have benefits for our physical and mental health, we can ultimately reduce the number of car parking spaces and increase our green spaces and safe pedestrianised areas.’
Further details available from www.betterjourneys.gg
