To combat climate crisis we must slash the amount of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. By cutting the number of shorter journeys made by car right here in Ealing we can make a difference.

That is why Ealing Council is ramping up its expansion of active travel schemes to help local people choose cycling, walking and scooting over a short drive to the local shops, school, park or to see nearby friends.

It is part of the council’s climate action strategy which aims to substantially reduce the borough’s carbon emissions and make it a greener, healthier place to live. This strategy also sets out to contribute to our ​economic recovery​ from COVID-19 so that we can build a borough that delivers good jobs while also tackling the climate crisis.

Transport is one of five areas identified as part of this strategy alongside energy, nature, waste and food. By focusing on these areas, we can make small but significant changes to the way we live our lives to help combat the climate crisis.

You can find out more about why it is so vital to take action to tackle climate crisis on a local level in the first of our explainer articles, as well as definitions of carbon footprint and net zero.

Helping you to get walking cycling or scooting

The council is setting out plans to make permanent a huge expansion of the borough’s cycling provision, including a key cycle route along Uxbridge Road. Six cycle schemes will now be made permanent creating safer roads, new crossings, direction signs and other improvements in key locations across the borough.

Locations of cycle schemes include:

• Uxbridge Road, Ealing Common Stn to North Circular
• Uxbridge Road, Ealing Common/Acton, Fordhook Ave (E) to Twyford Crescent
• Acton High St/The Vale Woodlands Ave to Davis Rd.
• Eastbound approach to Hanwell Bridge
• Greenford Rd, northbound, south of Baird Ave
• East Acton to Chiswick (Old Oak Common Lane to South Parade).

Five new ‘School Streets’ are being created, on top of the 10 that are due to be made permanent, which will make it safer and easier for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

Almost 50,000 active travel journeys were made by pupils, staff and parents in the borough last school year as they participated in the Big Pedal, a national challenge to see how many journeys to and from school can be clocked up by bike, scooter or on foot.

Ealing is also now a 20 mile per hour borough, increasing safety on local roads for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers themselves.

Free cycle training is available, while cycle maintenance can be found through the regular Dr Bike sessions taking place at locations across the borough.

Further cycling training for adults and children is available alongside hiring of cargo and dockless bikes, and much more – including a Try Before You Bike scheme that allows you to hire a bike before deciding to buy it.