By Alex Cran
With the temperature taking a turn for the worse recently, it’s been really pleasing to see lots of people still getting around on foot and by bike.
It really does seem as though leaving the car at home for local journeys has become an everyday habit for many more people.
Whilst winter brings its own challenges for the ‘active traveller’, once you’re in the habit it seldom seems to be a difficult choice.
You don’t necessarily have to dress like an Arctic explorer when you are generating your own warmth by exercise. Hands and feet may need a bit more attention, but nothing that a good pair of gloves and shoes can’t deal with.
There’s also the warm glow that comes from knowing that you are keeping fit and healthy, saving money and helping look after our environment. When daylight is at a premium, being outside whenever possible is a real boost to the spirit.
There will always be times when it doesn’t quite feel like ‘living the dream’.
The council has yet to start treating freezing pavements and cycle paths with the same diligence as they do the road. But at least last year’s advice – essentially to just not cycle – has been revised to something less patronising and there is a promise of better in future.
And far too many drivers still think it’s OK to not clear their windows properly, leaving our safety to chance as to whether we appear in their letterbox viewpoint.
Despite these issues, we know how we’d rather be travelling and many others seem to be reaching the same conclusion.
There are lots of signs that Wokingham is on course for a walking and cycling revolution, following in the footsteps of many similar parts of the country.
It’s time for the council to deliver on its promises of safer routes and for politicians of all flavours to work together on the challenges rather than the soundbites that might offer them the most votes.
The potential to improve our community and environment are huge, and success will breed success. Here’s to 2023 being the year when this all takes off.
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ALEX CRAN
