Northern Ireland travel challenge

Northern Ireland has opened registration for its 2026 Active Travel Challenge, a June campaign asking people to swap some car trips for walking, cycling and public transport. (nibusinessinfo.co.uk) The challenge runs from June 1 to June 30 and is free to enter for individuals, businesses, community groups and public sector bodies across Northern Ireland. Participants log journeys made for commuting, school runs, shopping and leisure. (atc.getmeactive.org.uk) The programme is delivered by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust with Translink, the Public Health Agency, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast City Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and the Western Health and Social Care Trust, with support from the Department for Infrastructure. Registration opened on April 23, 2026. (nibusinessinfo.co.uk) “Active travel” in Northern Ireland policy usually means short everyday trips made by walking, wheeling or cycling instead of by car. The Department for Infrastructure says those policies are primarily focused on cycling and walking. (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk) Organisers are pitching the challenge as a workplace and community habit-building exercise rather than a race for athletes. The official challenge page says people can compete individually or in groups, set targets, and log trips made by walking, wheeling, running, public transport and car share. (atc.getmeactive.org.uk) The 2025 campaign gives a sense of scale. More than 1,600 participants logged more than 27,000 journeys, saving over 18,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions and more than £22,000 in travel costs, according to organisers. (nibusinessinfo.co.uk) That comes as Northern Ireland is under pressure to turn policy into routine travel changes. The Northern Ireland Audit Office said the Department for Infrastructure has statutory responsibility for active travel policy and primary responsibility for delivering and maintaining active travel infrastructure. (niauditoffice.gov.uk) Walk Wheel Cycle Trust has been building that push through workplace programmes in Belfast and the North West, including cycle training, e-bike trials, bike maintenance workshops and journey-planning support. The charity said those services are funded by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland. (walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk) Translink is promoting the June challenge with the line “ditch the car this summer,” and the campaign includes prizes for logged journeys. Registration is open now, with the month-long test of how many everyday trips people will actually change starting in June. (translink.co.uk)