A record number of islanders left their cars and embraced active travel during Better Journeys Week.
New data shows a large percentage of people chose to walk, cycle or take the bus, marking the most successful Better Journeys Week to date.
As part of the campaign, volunteers monitored traffic levels throughout the week and gathered data based on car usage. On Thursday 22 May, traffic counts on Les Banques revealed a record-number of 159 cyclists and 212 people using active travel, marking a significant increase from 2022 when the Project began recording. Since then, the number of cyclists has risen by 64 and total active travellers by 90.
Better Journeys Week, organised by the Better Journeys Project, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of active and sustainable travel including improved health, lower emissions and reduced traffic congestion. The campaign encourages islanders to rethink their everyday transport choices and try cleaner, healthier ways to get around the island.
Barrie Duerden, Committee Member for Better Journeys Project, said: “There’s been a consistent strong increase in active travel. In 2022, active journeys made up 14.2% of travel and by 2024, that figure had climbed to 17.9%. During Better Journeys Week this year, 19% of all recorded journeys were active. I expect that number will continue to rise as we head into summer.”
Despite the progress, car use remains high in Guernsey. Volunteers counted 580 cars in just one hour at Les Banques during peak time, with traffic backed up to the Red Lion on multiple occasions. 80% of these car journeys were single occupancy.
Rollo De Sausmarez, Director of the Better Journeys Project in Guernsey, said: “While we’re delighted to see more people walking, cycling and using the bus, there’s still work to do. We encourage islanders to choose active travel, even once or twice a week. It makes a big difference to our roads, our health and our environment.
“For example, there were 10,283 bus users on Liberation Day when travel was free – it shows that when we give people the opportunity, they do choose more sustainable ways to get around.”
Kate Huntington, Director of the Better Journeys Project in Jersey, added: “These statistics also show that when more of us choose to travel by bike, foot or bus, the demand for better infrastructure follows. If we as islanders want to shift away from car dependency, we need to make sure our infrastructure reflects that.
“More people using active travel means more need, and more justification, for investment in safer, more accessible routes for everyone. That’s how we start to rebalance an island network that has long been dominated by cars.”
