Better Journeys Week

This shift is happening through the return of Better Journeys Week, a campaign that invites residents to rethink short daily trips and explore alternatives such as walking, cycling, scooting, or using public transport. Taking place across Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man from 18 to 22 May, the initiative is more than just a transport awareness campaign it is an attempt to reimagine how everyday movement connects people to their environment, health, and communities.

At its core, the message is simple: commuting does not have to be a rushed, isolated, or fuel-heavy routine. Instead, it can become a moment of activity, awareness, and even enjoyment.

What is Better Journeys Week and why it matters

Better Journeys Week is an annual campaign previously known as Alternative Transport Week. While the name has changed, the mission has become broader and more engaging. The initiative encourages island residents to swap car journeys for low-impact travel options such as walking, cycling, bus travel, and increasingly creative alternatives like scooting or even skipping.

The campaign is rooted in a growing awareness of the environmental cost of daily car use, especially for short journeys. In small island environments, where distances are often short and communities closely connected, organisers argue that even modest changes in travel behaviour can have a noticeable impact on traffic congestion, air quality, and personal wellbeing.

Beyond environmental goals, the initiative also focuses heavily on lifestyle transformation. It is not just about reducing emissions, but about encouraging people to rediscover their surroundings and reconnect with the physical world around them. The campaign promotes the idea that commuting can be more than a transition between home and work it can be part of a healthier daily rhythm.

Why organisers are encouraging people to ‘scoot or skip’

One of the most striking elements of this year’s campaign is its playful approach. Rather than focusing solely on serious messaging about carbon emissions or traffic reduction, organisers are encouraging participants to keep commuting fun. That includes trying out less conventional movement styles such as scooting or even skipping.

While the idea may sound light-hearted, it carries a deeper behavioural message. Research in urban mobility suggests that people are more likely to adopt sustainable habits when they are emotionally rewarding. By reframing commuting as something enjoyable rather than burdensome, the campaign aims to break the automatic reliance on cars for short trips.

Organisers are also encouraging participants to share their journeys on social media throughout the week. This digital engagement is designed to normalize alternative commuting methods and create a sense of shared participation. Seeing colleagues, friends, and neighbours choosing different travel methods helps reinforce the idea that sustainable commuting is socially accepted and achievable.

Even those who must rely on cars are not excluded from the message. The campaign encourages drivers to rethink how they use their vehicles by car-sharing, combining errands into single trips, and reducing unnecessary journeys. The underlying goal is not to eliminate car use entirely, but to make it more intentional.

Health and environmental benefits of changing how we commute

A major pillar of Better Journeys Week is the link between transport choices and personal wellbeing. Walking, cycling, and scooting are not only environmentally friendly they also contribute directly to improved physical health.

Regular active commuting has been associated with better cardiovascular health, improved mental wellbeing, and increased daily energy levels. Even small changes, such as walking part of a journey or cycling a few times a week, can lead to measurable improvements in fitness over time.

From an environmental perspective, the benefits are equally significant. Transport remains one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in many regions. Reducing reliance on short car journeys helps cut emissions, lower noise pollution, and ease congestion in busy areas.

Island communities in particular face unique challenges. Limited road space and high vehicle dependency can quickly lead to congestion during peak hours. By encouraging alternatives, Better Journeys Week aims to reduce pressure on infrastructure while also improving the overall quality of urban life.

There is also a less visible but equally important benefit: reconnecting with local environments. Travelling by foot or bicycle allows people to experience their surroundings more directly, noticing details that are often missed when driving.

How workplaces are being encouraged to take part

The success of Better Journeys Week depends heavily on participation from employers and organisations. Businesses are being asked to actively support staff in trying alternative commuting methods and to make participation feel engaging rather than obligatory.

Workplace ideas include step-count challenges, cycling buddy systems, and even sponsored public transport passes. These initiatives are designed to turn commuting into a shared experience rather than a solitary routine.

Some organisations are also exploring internal competitions, where teams track the number of active journeys completed during the week. These friendly challenges help build momentum and encourage long-term behavioural change beyond the campaign itself.

The underlying strategy is clear: when employers normalise sustainable commuting, employees are more likely to continue those habits after the campaign ends. Workplace culture plays a powerful role in shaping daily behaviour, and Better Journeys Week leverages that influence to encourage lasting change.

Changing commuting culture in island communities

Island environments such as Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man offer a unique setting for transport innovation. Distances are relatively short, meaning many daily journeys are well within walking or cycling range. Despite this, car dependency remains high, driven by convenience, habit, and weather considerations.

Better Journeys Week challenges that routine by asking a simple question: if a journey is short, does it need a car at all

The campaign also highlights the emotional and sensory difference between driving and active travel. While cars offer speed and convenience, they often isolate travellers from their surroundings. Walking or cycling, by contrast, creates a more immersive experience of place something organisers believe is especially valuable in scenic island environments.

Rollo de Sausmarez, who chairs the initiative, has emphasised this connection between movement and environment. He describes alternative commuting not just as a transport choice, but as a way to engage more meaningfully with local surroundings. Rather than rushing past landscapes and communities, people are encouraged to experience them directly as part of their daily routine.

This cultural shift is gradual, but campaigns like Better Journeys Week aim to normalise it over time. The hope is that small, playful experiments during one week can lead to long-term changes in behaviour.

Practical ways to take part in Better Journeys Week

While the campaign promotes creativity, it is grounded in practical action. Participants are encouraged to experiment with different modes of transport throughout the week and observe how each one affects their daily experience.

For some, this may mean walking part or all of their commute. For others, it might involve cycling to work, using buses more frequently, or combining different transport modes in a single journey.

Organisers also highlight the importance of preparation. Small adjustments such as planning routes in advance, checking bus schedules, or ensuring bicycles are road-ready can make alternative commuting far more accessible.

Even partial participation is considered valuable. A person who drives most days might still choose to walk once or twice during the week, or combine a bus journey with a short walk. These incremental changes are viewed as meaningful steps toward long-term behavioural shift.

The campaign also encourages participants to reflect on their experiences. Noticing differences in mood, energy levels, or stress can help reinforce the benefits of active commuting. Many people find that slower, more physical journeys create a sense of calm that contrasts sharply with the pressures of driving in traffic.

Better Journeys Week is more than a transport initiative it is a cultural invitation to rethink how daily movement shapes health, environment, and community life. By encouraging people to scoot, skip, walk, cycle, or simply travel more intentionally, the campaign transforms commuting from a routine obligation into an opportunity for connection and wellbeing.

In a world where speed often dominates daily life, the idea of slowing down even just for a week offers a different perspective. It suggests that journeys do not have to be passive transitions, but can instead become meaningful parts of the day. Whether through a bus ride shared with colleagues, a walk through familiar streets, or a playful skip to work, the message remains consistent: how we move matters more than we often realise.