Research from the Scottish Community Development Centre shows that such groups are less likely to engage with active travel, and the new Community Active Travel Support Service (CATSS) has been developed to help third sector organisations encourage walking, wheeling and cycling in marginalised communities and deprived areas.

CATSS will provide long-term support to community organisations that wish to set up an active travel project (or develop an existing one) focusing on people in areas in the lowest 10 and 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation or aimed at a specific group which experiences inequality.

Staff and volunteers of organisations who sign up will receive three to six months of in-depth support to set up or develop initiatives that will encourage more people in their community to walk, wheel or cycle more.

This can also include assistance to connect with other Sustrans teams and active travel organisations, as well as organisations such as Third Sector Interfaces and Equality Councils who may be able to provide further support.

If required, organisations taking part will also be able to access free training in skills such as fundraising, community engagement, and evaluation to develop the capacity of their organisation.

Any project that will encourage people in your community to walk wheel or cycle either directly or indirectly will be considered for support.

It could be something like running a small walking group, through to a whole range of activities, such as bike libraries, making public space more pleasant to walk though or sit in, litter picking, or public art projects.

Find out more on the Sustrans website: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2022/uk-wide/community-active-travel-support-service/