David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, has been appointed as an Advisor to the Active Travel England Board for the next two years, it was announced today (Tuesday 16 June).
The appointment follows the launch of the Government’s new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy and recognises the Mayor’s commitment to making walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more accessible across York and North Yorkshire.
In his advisory role, the Mayor will help support delivery of the Government's ambitions to:
- Ensure at least 60 per cent of children walk, wheel or cycle to school by 2035
- Increase the proportion of short journeys in towns and cities made by walking or cycling to at least 55 per cent
The appointment gives York and North Yorkshire, and the wider North, a stronger voice in shaping the future of active travel nationally.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“Walking, wheeling and cycling should be safe, accessible and practical choices for everyone, whether you're travelling to school, work, the shops or simply enjoying our incredible region.
“Across York and North Yorkshire, we're already investing in projects that remove barriers to active travel and help people make healthier, more sustainable journeys.
"I'm delighted to be joining Active Travel England as an advisor at such an important moment. This record investment presents a huge opportunity to improve connections between communities, support local economies and give more people the confidence to choose active travel every day.
"I look forward to bringing the voice of York and North Yorkshire to the table and working with partners across the country to ensure this investment delivers real benefits for people and places."
Since being elected in May 2024, the Mayor has made active travel a priority. To date he has:
- Created a £4 million Active Travel Fund, supporting 39 projects tackling some of the biggest barriers to walking, wheeling and cycling across the region – boosting confidence, providing infrastructure and improving safety
- Appointed the Active Travel Commissioner for York and North Yorkshire, Rhiannon Letman-Wade, who is working with partners to deliver an Active Travel Strategy and supporting organisations across the region to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier
- Committed £17.5 million for active travel over the next four years, and earmarked an additional £30 million for measures to make the school run safer
Rhiannon Letman-Wade, Active Travel Commissioner for York and North Yorkshire, said:
"This appointment is an important recognition of the leadership York and North Yorkshire is showing on active travel and the ambition we have for our communities.
"The Government has set out a clear vision for increasing walking, wheeling and cycling, backed by significant long-term investment. Through the Mayor's role advising Active Travel England, our region will be well placed to help shape that national agenda while ensuring the opportunities and challenges facing places like our region are reflected in decision-making.
"We know that when people are given safe, accessible and attractive options, more people choose to travel actively. The work already under way across the region is creating the foundations for healthier journeys, stronger communities and greater independence for people of all ages."
Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said:
"Mayor David Skaith gets it. Safer streets aren’t just a transport issue, they’re a public health issue, an economic issue, and a quality-of-life issue.
"Having Helen and David as advisors means we are genuinely rooted in the places we are trying to change - bringing the voice of local leaders who are already making a real difference to delivery on the ground.
“Together, they will help us make sure this record investment reaches the communities that need it most.”
Active Travel England also announced today the appointment of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lord Geoffrey Filkin as Non-Executive Directors to its board, alongside the appointment of Mayor Helen Godwin and Mayor David Skaith as Advisors.
Alongside the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, Active Travel England published its Worth Every Step delivery plan setting out how that investment will be used to create 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings by 2030.
Published on Tuesday 16 June 2026
