This week is Active Travel Week 2022, an initiative being pushed by the government between March 28 and April 3.

The week is designed to help people ‘to find healthier and greener ways to commute, run errands or enjoy our island spaces’.

Each day has a different theme and is being promoted across the government’s social media channels.

Yesterday (Monday 28) was ‘active travel to work’ day, encouraging people to get to work any way they could.

Today, Tuesday March 29, people are being encouraged to ‘walk or wheel to work’.

Wednesday, March 30 is ‘Flexible working day’, Thursday, March 31 is ‘Carbon neutral and car free’ day, and Friday, April 1 is ‘Cycle to work’ day.

This weekend, people are being encouraged to ‘active travel with the family’.

In a statement about the initiative, the Isle of Man Government said: ‘Active travel is an ideal way to improve wellbeing by including physical movement in your daily routine, which in turn helps to support mental wellbeing and reduce our carbon footprint.

‘It’s not just about the journey to work, we’re asking people to think about the smaller trips that they make.

‘Is there a shorter journey that can be made actively instead of taking the car – like nipping to the nearest shop, visiting a nearby friend or grabbing a coffee on the move?

‘There are many aspects of modern life that can be seen as a barrier to active travel; busy schedules, access to bus routes or equipment and the weather.

‘For active travel week we’re asking people to try something different like walking, wheeling, running, cycling, scooting or skating to see how easy it could be to build good habits by dedicating some time to the way we travel.

‘Come rain or shine, we’re asking people to leave their cars at home next week and use active travel.’

Throughout the week there will be events taking place to help encourage and support people to make changes towards active travel.

There is a ‘Talk to Work’ session walking from Quarterbridge to central Douglas today, cycling confidence sessions tomorrow, and a group cycle ride from St John’s to Douglas on Friday, April 1, with the Road Safety Team.

More information is available on the ‘Active Travel Isle of Man – workplace’ Facebook page.