Modeshift, in collaboration with Active Travel England (ATE), is developing a new resource called the Modeshift Active Travel Inspector, set to launch in 2025. This innovative tool aims to support safer school routes and promote active travel among students. For the activities sector, there are greater opportunities to take advantage of their assessments and to evaluate existing programmes with safer and accessible routes for beginners and more advanced cyclists.
Key features of the Modeshift Active Travel Inspector
Empowering Students & Pupils: The resource will enable pupils to assess their school neighbourhoods, collecting data on the quality and availability of infrastructure for walking, cycling, and wheeling to school.
Evaluation Metrics: Junior Inspectors will use metrics from ATE’s Area and Route Check tools and Modeshift’s Site Audit tool to evaluate key features in their local areas that impact safe and active travel.
Guided Assessment: School staff members will guide students in identifying improvement opportunities and uploading their findings to the Modeshift STARS platform.
Collaboration: Modeshift is working closely with Living Streets, a UK charity for everyday walking, to develop this resource.
Impact and implementation
The Modeshift Active Travel Inspector resource will allow schools to advocate more effectively for safer and more accessible routes. Local authorities will be able to review and address these needs in real time through the Modeshift STARS platform.
A preview of the resource was presented at the recent Modeshift Convention and National Sustainable Travel Awards in Leeds, where volunteers tested it on nearby streets.
As the 2025 launch approaches, Modeshift is encouraging interested parties to stay tuned for updates on this innovative tool designed to enhance active travel and improve school route safety.
This resource will be invaluable in not only making routes safer but also creating opportunities to support modifications to routes that make cycle training and their programmes more accessible.
To find out more, see here.
