New Year, New Active Travel & Wellbeing Calendar for 2026
Happy New Year!!!
New Year, New Routes — Choose to Walk, Wheel, Cycle, or Take the Bus!
There are many opportunities throughout 2026 to support active travel, physical activity, and mental wellbeing. Below is a month-by-month guide to national campaigns and awareness events that encourage walking, wheeling, cycling, and sustainable travel choices.
Dates shown are confirmed where fixed and indicative where events follow an annual pattern, with links provided so readers can access the latest updates.
Winter Wheelers, delivered by Love to Ride, continues until 31 January 2026.
It’s a great time to stay active through winter by cycling safely, staying visible, and sharing your rides with others using #WinterWheelers.
https://www.love2ride.net/winterwheelers
February – Take Your Family to School Week
Organised by the National PTA, Take Your Family to School Week encourages families to walk, wheel, or cycle to school together. Benefits include quality family time, increased physical activity, reduced stress, and a positive impact on the environment.
https://www.pta.org.uk/events/take-your-family-to-school-week
March – International Women’s Day
8 March 2026
International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements and calls for action on gender equality. Mark the day by getting outside and raising awareness of the barriers women face when using active and sustainable travel.
https://www.internationalwomensday.com
April – On Your Feet Britain
On Your Feet Britain is an annual campaign encouraging people to reduce sitting time and move more throughout the working day.
Simple actions such as standing during phone calls, taking regular screen breaks, using the stairs, or walking to speak to colleagues can make a big difference.
http://onyourfeetday.com/britain
May – Walk to School Week
18–22 May 2026
Walk to School Week, led by Living Streets, is an annual challenge encouraging children to walk to school. Walking helps children reach the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day, and families are encouraged to get involved too.
https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school-week
June – Bike Week
Delivered by Cycling UK, Bike Week is a national celebration showcasing cycling as a fun, healthy, and sustainable way to travel. The campaign aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to give cycling a try.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/bikeweek
July – Love Parks Week
Love Parks Week, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, brings communities together to celebrate local parks and green spaces and highlights their importance for health, wellbeing, and community connection.
https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/love-parks-week
Thursday 6 August 2026
Cycle to Work Day encourages people across the UK to swap their car or public transport for a bike when commuting. The event highlights the benefits of regular exercise, improved wellbeing, and sustainable travel choices.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/events
TravelWise Week: 16–22 September 2026
TravelWise Week aligns with European Mobility Week and promotes walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport, and cleaner, healthier transport options.
https://www.modeshift.org.uk/travelwise-week
Catch the Bus Month also takes place throughout September, encouraging people to use and support local bus services.
https://bususers.org/catch-the-bus-month
Walk to School Month – October 2026
Building on Walk to School Week, this month-long campaign encourages families to make walking to school a regular habit.
https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school-month
World Mental Health Day – 10 October 2026
A global day to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing and to highlight the importance of talking and staying connected.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day
November – Road Safety Week & Men’s Mental Health Month
Delivered by Brake, Road Safety Week raises awareness of road safety and promotes safer streets for all road users.
https://www.brake.org.uk/road-safety-week
November is also Men’s Mental Health Month (Movember), a key time to raise awareness and encourage open conversations. Going for a walk together can be a simple way to connect and talk.
December – Winter Wheelers Returns
Winter Wheelers returns in December 2026, encouraging people to keep cycling through the colder months. Remember to ride safely, stay visible, and keep warm.
https://www.love2ride.net/winterwheelers