A new active travel campaign, called RIDONKULOUS, is now underway in Hawick and the surrounding area in the Scottish Borders.
The campaign has been funded by the Scottish Government’s People and Place programme, which is administered in the south-east by SEStran and will encourage and enable active travel, such as walking, wheeling and cycling, for everyday journeys, wherever possible.
By reducing RIDONKULOUS short car journeys wherever possible to active modes of transport, the campaign promotes healthier lifestyles and encourages more sustainable travel choices.
This week, all Primary 3 students across seven primary schools received free scooters and helmets, enabling them to travel short journeys in a fun, active and sustainable way.
The campaign will offer a range of engaging activities for the whole community, including school-based initiatives, public events, competitions, and newly developed waymarked trails. This includes a family cycling event in Hawick on Saturday, 4 October – save the date, more information will be shared soon. All elements are designed to promote healthy, sustainable travel and support community wellbeing.
Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“I’m pleased to support this new active travel campaign by Scottish Borders Council and SEStran. Funded through the Scottish Government’s People and Place programme, it will encourage young people across the Scottish Borders to choose healthier and happier ways of travelling, which reduce the impact of transport on our environment.
“We know young people want to take climate action and the Scottish Government is supporting them to do so. We’ve invested over £12.6 million to improve active travel infrastructure across Hawick – making it safer and easier for our young people to walk, wheel and cycle with independence. To support similar initiatives and infrastructure, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. This will help ensure we make it easier for more people to save money, live healthier lives and to leave the car at home.”
Councillor Jenny Linehan, Executive Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, added:
“By encouraging our communities to choose walking, wheeling, and cycling for short journeys, we are not only promoting healthier lifestyles but also making a significant contribution to reducing our carbon footprint. This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved and make a positive impact on our environment and wellbeing.
“Active travel is key to supporting economic growth, improving health and wellbeing, reducing reliance on cars, and helping us meet our carbon reduction targets in response to the climate emergency.”
(Pic: Yay Images)
