Thursday 27 March 2025
Sophia Gardens, Glamorgan Cricket Ground, Cardiff
Organised by:
Headline sponsors:
Supported by:
Welcome to the Healthy and Active School Journeys Conference
The conference will bring together an inspiring mix of speakers, workshops, and interactive sessions, addressing key themes such as community engagement, infrastructure development, and ensuring accessibility for all children.
The Healthy and Active School Journeys Conference is the premier event for educators, policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders dedicated to transforming the daily commute for children into a safer, healthier, and more sustainable experience. Taking place at the iconic Glamorgan Cricket Ground in Cardiff, this full-day conference offers a unique platform to explore innovative strategies, share success stories, and tackle the challenges of enabling active travel to schools.
Key themes:
Community Engagement
Strategies for involving pupils, parents, and teachers in active travel initiatives.
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Infrastructure Development
Designing safer routes and facilities to support walking, wheeling and cycling.
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Inclusivity and Accessibility
Ensuring all children, including those with additional needs, can benefit from active school journeys.
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Health and Wellbeing
The physical and mental health benefits of active travel for children.
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Sustainability
Reducing traffic congestion and emissions through eco-friendly travel solutions.
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Innovation and Best Practices
Showcasing successful initiatives like walking and bike buses.
Highlights of the day include:
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Morning Plenary: Kickstarting the event with insightful presentations from leading voices in active travel and public health, alongside motivational stories from headteachers and students championing bike and walking initiatives;
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Breakout Sessions: Tailored workshops and discussions covering engagement strategies, infrastructure improvements, and inclusive solutions for children with additional needs;
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Interactive Networking: Opportunities to connect with peers, exhibitors, and industry experts over refreshments and lunch;
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Outdoor Learning: A walking tour to explore practical methods for assessing and improving safe school routes;
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Closing Plenary: A panel discussion highlighting actionable next steps and key takeaways for attendees.
Cardiff’s Walking and Cycling Index 2023 states that neighbourhoods should be places for children to thrive. Increasing independence, providing space to play and socialise, and improving the journey to school are all important. If we design neighbourhoods with children in mind, they will then work better for everyone else too. The research, delivered by Sustrans, found that among Cardiff residents, 46% agree closing streets outside local schools to cars during drop off and pick-up times would improve their local area. (Walking and Cycling Index 2023: Cardiff)
Active Journeys is a behaviour change programme delivered in schools across all local authorities in Wales. The programme is funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Sustrans, designed to increase active travel on the school run and reduce car use. The programme is increasing the sustainability of school travel - more pupils are travelling actively, and fewer pupils are being driven. Across schools in Wales, from April 2020 to March 2024, active travel as the usual school travel mode has increased by 12.0%, and car use as the usual school travel mode has decreased by 14.7 %.
Who should attend?
Local Authority Officers:
Explore policy and infrastructure strategies to promote active travel in communities.
Educators and School Leaders:
Gain insights and tools to implement active travel initiatives within schools.
Community and Youth Leaders:
Engage with initiatives to inspire and involve young people in active travel.
Charities and NGOs:
Collaborate on projects aimed at creating sustainable travel solutions for schools.
Transport Planners and Urban Designers:
Discover innovative solutions for creating safe and accessible routes to schools.
Public Health Professionals:
Understand the connection between active school journeys and children’s health and wellbeing.
Active Travel Advocates:
Network with like-minded professionals and share best practices.
Attendee rates
Public Sector
1st 2 Delegates
FREE
Each additional local authority place for your authority -
£95 + VAT
Join us as we explore how active school journeys can enhance children’s health, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Whether you’re an educator, parent, transport planner, or policymaker, this conference will equip you with the tools and inspiration needed to make a tangible difference in your community.
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Together, let’s pave the way for a healthier, more active generation!
Public Sector: Local authority free registration
2 members of your Local Authority may attend free courtesy of the Welsh Government.​
26th March - Pre-event networking drinks
Delegates arriving on the 26th March are welcome to join from 18:00 for informal social networking and nibbles with some of the team from Welsh Government in the Brewhouse & Kitchen, Cardiff. ​
Pre-booking required: Free registration details to follow.
27th March Conference Programme
Programme currently in development
09.00
Registration opens
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Begin the day by exploring the exhibition, connecting with fellow attendees, and enjoying refreshments. Pupils from local schools will showcase their active travel methods with bike and bus arrivals.
09.45
Pyramid Hygiene Suite
Welcome
Dafydd Trystan, Chair of Active Travel Board and School Governor of Ysgol Hamadryad
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The opening session sets the stage for a day of inspiration and collaboration. Hear from leading voices in education, public health, and active travel as they share insights and success stories from schools championing active journeys.
10.00
Healthy and Active School Journeys
Chair: Dafydd Trystan, Chair of Active Travel Board and School Governor of Ysgol Hamadryad
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The benefits of physical activity on the school run
Dr Kelly Morgan, Senior Research Fellow, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University
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Inclusive cycling and adapted bikes
Haydn Wyn Jones, Senior Manager, Beics Antur, Antur Waunfawr
The Cardiff approach to active travel to school across the city
Matthew Price, Team Leader, Transport Vision, Policy and Strategy, Cardiff Council
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The Radnor Bike Bus sharing success: championing active travel
Speaker to be confirmed
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Panel discussion, Questions and Answers
11.15
Morning break:
Opportunity to network and reflect on the plenary session over refreshments in the exhibition area
11.45
Breakout Options
Explore focused workshops tailored to your interests and expertise. Choose from three engaging sessions:
Pyramid Hygiene Suite
Engagement
How to Start a Walking or Bike Bus
Get step-by-step guidance on creating urban and rural active travel solutions.
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Session Leaders:
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Hamish Belding – FRideDays Bike Bus Project Coordinator
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Mr Trystan Gwilym, Teacher, Ysgol Dolbadarn
The View
Infrastructure
Designing Safer Routes for Active Travel
Discover innovative designs and practical solutions to create safer routes and storage facilities for schools.
Session Leader:
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Tom Wharf – Head of Design (Active Travel), Transport for Wales
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Gwen Thomas, Strategic Transport Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council
Executive Boxes 1 - 4
Inclusion and Accessibility
Ensuring Every Child Can Participate
Explore case studies that highlight approaches to supporting children with additional needs in active travel initiatives.
Session Leader:
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Sam Farnfield, Director, Pedal Power
13.00
Lunch and Networking
A chance to network with colleagues, exhibitors and speakers over lunch in the exhibition.
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Optional Pedal Power – Try an adapted bike
14:00
Breakout Options
Dive deeper into key topics with these interactive sessions:
Pyramid Hygiene Suite
Engagement
Inspiring Communities to Embrace School Streets
Learn practical strategies for involving school communities in school streets initiatives through collaboration and creative engagement.
Session Leader:
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Arend Slagter, Project Manager – Sustainable and Active Travel Projects, Cardiff Council
Meet at reception
Infrastructure
School Walking Route Audits
Join to learn more about the Living Streets School Route Audits and they can help review road safety and other barriers to active travel, support infrastructure recommendations and improve behaviour change measures.
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Led by:
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Julia Crear, Head of Projects and Technical Services, Living Streets
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Laura Service, South Wales Project Coordinator, Living Streets
Executive Boxes 1 - 4
Inclusion and Accessibility
Active Travel for All
Examine how to include all pupils on the journey to school.
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Session Leaders:
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To be confirmed
15.15
Afternoon break
Networking and refreshments in the exhibition
15:45
Pyramid Hygiene Suite
Closing Plenary
Panel Discussion: Realising the Potential of Active School Journeys
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Specialist groups to provide their key takeaways and actionable next steps for attendees and summary of key insights.
Panellists include:
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Dr Emily Marchant, Lecturer in Education, Swansea University
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Tom Wharf, Head of Design (Active Travel), Transport for Wales
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Kelly Theis, Project Manager (Wales and South England), Living Streets
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Sam Farnfield, Director, Pedal Power
Closing Remarks:
Dr Dafydd Trystan Davies, Chair, Active Travel Board
17.00
Close of conference
28th March - Join the FRideDays Bike Bus!
Be part of Cardiff’s biggest Bike Bus event!
On the morning of 28th March (approx 8:15 AM), three school Bike Buses will merge for an exciting group ride to school. You’re invited to observe or join this special event and experience the energy of a collective school run on two wheels!
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To help us plan numbers, please email Hamish Belding from the Bike Bus team at bikebus@sustrans.org.uk if you’d like to attend.
Speakers
Dafydd
Trystan
Chair of Active Travel Board and School Governor
Ysgol Hamadryad
Matthew
Price
Team Leader, Transport Vision, Policy and Strategy
Cardiff Council
Hamish
Belding
Behaviour Change Delivery Coordinator; UK
Sustrans
Julia
Crear
Head of Projects and Technical Services
Living Streets
Dr Emily Marchant
Lecturer in Education
Swansea University
Mr Trystan Gwilym
Teacher
Ysgol Dolbadarn
Haydn
Wyn Jones
Senior Manager
Beics Antur, Antur Waunfawr
Dr Kelly
Morgan
Senior Research Fellow at the School of Social Sciences
Cardiff University
Arend
Slagter
Project Manager – Sustainable and Active Travel Projects
Cardiff Council
Sam
Farnfield
Director
Pedal Power
Laura
Service
South Wales Project Coordinator
Living Streets
Tom
Wharf
Head of Design (Active Travel)
Transport for Wales
Kelly
Theis
Project Manager (Wales and South England)
Living Streets
Gwen
Thomas
Strategic Transport Manager
Wrexham County Borough Council
Secure your exhibiton stand!
To discuss exhibiting opportunities at the Healthy and Active School Journeys,
contact Jason Conboy on 020 7091 7893
Join experts, local authorities, suppliers, and community advocates to dive into the latest findings on School Streets, and explore the future of active travel from home to school. Discussions will cover the latest research, best practices in implementation and enforcement, securing funding, and managing the balance between incentives and regulation.
Exhibitors include:
