Students call for safer walking and cycling routes

Students have discussed their ideas on how to establish safe routes for cyclists and walkers.

Some of those who use active travel for the Sixth Form Centre in Castel said they felt the roads could be dangerous and, while some cars had become larger, the roads had remained narrow.

The sixth formers have discussed a range of ideas, including cycle-only roads and one-way roads with cycle paths.

They said they would raise their concerns to States of Guernsey deputies on Wednesday 8 July at an event focussed on active travel and the transport infrastructure.

Monty, 17, said: "The aim of the event is to get a safe route for every child to cycle to school.

"A lot of people want to actively travel but there is a perception that the roads here are dangerous, especially with cars getting bigger and our small roads are not expanding to meet that size."

Monty added he has had lots of "near misses" with cars and had been "lightly tapped" when cars have been reversing.

Gazelle,17, said she thought the island could benefit from cycle-only roads.

She said: "For instance, some nature trails have a speed limit of 15mph, but, if you made them just for active travellers and pedestrians, that would make it safer for us."

The States of Guernsey 2025 Healthier Weight Strategy report found an increase from 48% to 58% in use of active travel in October 2025, compared to the same time in 2024.

Secondary schools also saw a rise from 37% to 43% in pupils using active travel in the same period of time.

The Health Improvement Commission has collaborated with sustainable travel organization Better Journeys Project to bring back the Yellow Guernsey Award.

The award is designed to promote active travel by celebrating islanders who have changed lives through cycling.

Amy Woollaston, active travel officer for the commission, said: "Active travel is one of the best ways to build activity into busy lives.

"It can prevent some quite scary diseases - cardiovascular disease, cancers - I think healthcare providers now more than ever are seeing active travel as a way to prevent that."

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