New active travel map for Badenoch and Strathspey promotes healthy lifestyle

New active travel map for Badenoch and Strathspey promotes healthy lifestyle

HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, has launched a new active travel map for Badenoch and Strathspey.

Covering from Carrbridge in the north to Newtonmore in the south, the map aims to help people find ways to walk and cycle for more of their everyday local journeys, and also shows how easy it is to explore the area on foot or by bike. Suggested cycle routes are highlighted, as well as footpaths, bike shops, bike parking, and public transport connections.

Over the past three months during the Covid-19 lockdown, many people have taken advantage of the quieter roads to get out and explore their local area on foot and by bike, for daily exercise and to maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

As people return to their cars to make journeys further from home, HITRANS hopes

that the walking and cycling habit will continue for local trips.

Vikki Trelfer, Active Travel Officer with HITRANS, said: “In half an hour you can walk around a mile and a half or cycle five miles, and incorporating exercise into your daily routine is a great way to get fit and stay healthy.”

The active travel map has been developed with the help of local contacts in each settlement. Vikki added: “It’s been great to be able to connect with people working on this project through lockdown, and I hope that the map will enable people to keep on connecting with and exploring their local area as we move out of lockdown.”

Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of HITRANS, has seen the value of active travel maps in Inverness and Fort William and welcomes the roll out of the initiative to Badenoch and Strathspey. He said: “The maps are a great resource for finding routes to explore in local areas. It would be great if the map helps local residents to consider changing the way they make local journeys, by walking or cycling wherever possible.”

The free map is available in various local shops and bike shops including those listed below, and a pdf version can be downloaded from the HITRANS website: www.hitrans.org.uk/hitravel (external link). Anyone wanting a supply of maps to make available locally can contact HITRANS: info@hitrans.org.uk.

Maps are available to pick up from:

Newtonmore Co-op

Kingussie: Caberfeidh Horizons and at the Railway Station

Aviemore: Aviemore Bikes, Bothy Bikes, Dalfaber Co-op, Grampian Rd Convenience Store, Route 7 Café

Boat of Garten: Ride Cairngorm

Nethy Bridge Spar

Grantown Garage

Carrbridge Artist’s Studio