The idea
ATfest is intended as a fun and informative event with the aim to promote active travel in all its forms to multi-generational participants. Local residents will be encouraged to walk, cycle or wheel, into Chester from home. For those arriving from the wider Cheshire West area the options are to arrive by bus or train, or drive to (and park for free at) one of Chester's Park & Ride sites. On arrival into the city-centre participants will be able to choose from a 'menu' of live events taking place across a variety of green spaces and venues, such as: Kids activity areas with Bikeability learn-to-ride sessions; eBike Experience Zone for 16+; BMX skills training. In particular we intend to encourage those for whom the default is to drive to Chester so they realise that there are other alternative and practical sustainable active travel options to consider and hopefully embrace.
What we'll deliver
- Hiring of event management team
- Hiring of communications team
- Project management, safeguarding, H&S
- Monitoring, evaluation and Learning Team
- Group to encourage community group participation
Why it's a great idea
During lockdown we saw that vast numbers of people will walk, cycle and wheel if given the right environment. The hosting of ATfest - a pilot festival event to promote active travel - will not only strengthen the passion for walking, cycling and wheeling* amongst the local population on the day of the event, but afterwards will encourage and inspire participants to take them up as everyday activities - the benefits of which include: social inclusion, reduced air-pollution, improved public health (physical and mental); the events for children provide a fun gateway into physical activity and research from businesses shows the positive impact of walking, cycling and wheeling on our high streets and city-centres. (*wheeling is intended to include push-scooting, electric scooting, mobility scooters, skate boards, wheelchairs and other wheeled mobility aids).
Steps to get it done
- Appoint event manager
- Raise Initial Funding
- Create Website/Social Media and Data Collection
- Achieve Corporate Sponsorship
- Create Community Group Participation
- Deliver the event
- Measure, Evaluate and Learn
