Active travel
What is active travel?
Active travel is any form of transport that is primarily based on physical activity such as walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding (in the Scottish Borders there is a large and historic equestrian presence). Wheeling includes using any kind of wheeled mobility aid, including wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking frames, scooting, prams or buggies. In terms of cycling, this includes the use of standard bikes, adapted bikes or trikes, e-bikes, and other micro-mobility devices to support day-to-day trips.
The Active Travel Strategy was approved at Council on 29 October 2025
Our commitment to increasing active travel
We recognise the importance of active travel in supporting economic development, improving health, reducing car use and meeting our carbon goals for the climate emergency.
We are currently involved in various projects and collaborations which aim to increase and support active travel:
- Hawick to Selkirk Active Travel Link.
- Borders Greenway - a new long distance shared access path between Tweedbank and Eyemouth. Visit the Borders Greenway website for more details.
- Maintaining the existing active travel network, including our multi-use paths network. We have delivered two new phases on the Lauder to Oxton route in 2026.
- Partnership work with South of Scotland Enterprise to look for new opportunities for active travel to bring economic and community benefits for the area
- Supporting local partnerships, including Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), community groups and Cycling Scotland to name a few.
- Running an active travel behaviour change campaign (called RIDONKULOUS) and a series of behaviour change projects across the Scottish Borders led by our Outdoor Education team. RIDONKULOUS | Active Travel | Scottish Borders Council
While continuing with those projects above, we have developed an Active Travel Strategy which supports our continued active travel development. The Strategy forms the structure by which we aim to increase active travel in the coming years across the Borders. It provides a consistent and communicated approach to achieve maximum benefits for our residents and communities.
Active Travel Strategy
While continuing with those projects above, we have developed an Active Travel Strategy which supports our continued active travel development. The Strategy forms the structure by which we aim to increase active travel in the coming years across the Borders. It provides a consistent and communicated approach to achieve maximum benefits for our residents and communities.
More information
Details of our ongoing projects will be added to our website in the coming months.
If you would like more information, please contact the team by email at activetravel@scotborders.gov.uk.