The new Active Travel Commissioner for York and North Yorkshire will accelerate improvements to make the region a place where people feel safer and more confident to walk, wheel and cycle.
Rhiannon Letman-Wade has been appointed by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, to deliver his vision of a comprehensive network of lit, well-maintained routes across York and North Yorkshire.
In the new role, Ms Letman-Wade will oversee delivery of the Mayor’s £4 million Active Travel Fund and provide expert guidance to ensure every community can benefit from safer routes, better infrastructure and more affordable, accessible options for everyday journeys.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “York and North Yorkshire should be the place for walking, wheeling, and cycling, and everyone should feel safe, and be safe, when they do.
“I’ve spoken to countless communities across the region and it’s clear that people want safer streets so they can feel more confident to walk, wheel and cycle.
“Our region’s first Active Travel Commissioner is going to help us move forward to achieve that goal and gives us the expertise to deliver real change.
“Rhiannon has a strong track record of delivering exciting active travel schemes and a commitment to empowering communities to make the change they want to see in their neighbourhoods. She brings a wealth of experience and will be at the forefront of helping York and North Yorkshire move forward.”
Ms Letman-Wade brings extensive experience in both urban and rural areas. As Deputy Chair of Wales’ Active Travel Board, she has helped shape national policy, and has led a number of successful initiatives to make school journeys safer.
Her work has supported the uptake of walking, wheeling and cycling through schemes such as School Streets, Bikeability and ModeShift. She has also helped local authorities improve their active travel ratings – demonstrating increased confidence from the Government in their ability to deliver.
Rhiannon Letman-Wade, Active Travel Commissioner for York and North Yorkshire, said: “There is already great work happening across the region and I’m looking forward to building on that to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier for everyone.
“I’m speaking with stakeholders and community groups to build a picture of where we are now and what we need to do next. Changing how people think about active travel is part of the challenge. It’s not simply about replacing car journeys, it’s about seeing how it can support other ways of travelling – such as making it easier to walk to a bus stop, or cycle to a station.
“In a largely rural region like York and North Yorkshire, we need to be realistic and tailor solutions to different places. Safer school journeys are a priority, and I’m committed to helping our communities get the support they need.”
Ms Letman-Wade is keen to hear from communities and groups with views on walking, wheeling and cycling in their area. To get in touch, email activetravel @yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk