FROM walking to cycling to riding an e-scooter, a new group is set to work on improving active travel around the Redlands.
The active travel reference group will deal with any mode of travel that requires human-powered mobility, and will have up to 15 members.
Group chair Peter Mitchell said well as cycling and walking, active travel also included technologies like e-scooters and e-bikes.
"It's opening up for not just people who want to get sweaty... but it's actually a genuine opportunity for anyone from three to 103 to move around our town," he said.
"Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, electric scooters ... anything of your own volition to get around is what we now (talk about as) active travel.
"All (that is needed) now is further evolution of infrastructure, laws (and) attitudes towards other road users.
"The new reference group will help council form strategic partnerships with community and transport groups and advocate for more active travel opportunities or projects of benefit to the Redlands Coast.
"This group is as much about finding new active transport modes as it is perfecting those we already enjoy and as an advocate for modes like e-transport.
"I am excited by the potential for this group, including the opportunity to consider pedestrian access and safety within our villages and centres and all ages mobility issues encompassing personal mobility devices."
The new group would expand on the Redlands Bicycle Advisory Committee, first formed in 2000.
RedBAC had not been convened since 2015.
Mayor Karen Williams said the Redlands had a great cycling culture, with hundreds of kilometres of on- and off-road tracks.
"While recreational cycling continues to grow in popularity across the Redlands, it is equally important to focus on other forms of active travel for both recreation and everyday journeys," she said.
"The rising popularity of scooters is an example of an active travel mode being used in many urban areas for both recreation and journeys to work.
"Having attractive, safe and accessible pathways and routes as alternatives to motor cars can contribute to both a healthier community and help to reduce road and parking congestion."
Cr Paul Golle said it was also important paths be kept safe for pedestrians.
"I just hope we don't turn our footpaths into highways," he said.
Division 10 councillor Paul Bishop will be the group's deputy chair.
Cr Bishop said the reference group continued the momentum created by the Redlands Coast Transport Strategy.
"Council's decision to establish and widen the reference group scope is a clear call to action for those in the community with a passion for more active travel, especially in the post-COVID environment," Cr Bishop said.
"Membership of the new group will be by both direct invitation and advertised expressions of interest. We hope to complete this process by the new year.
"In the meantime, I would encourage those with an interest to keep an eye out for the opportunity on council's Yoursay page or to contact council if they would like to learn more about the active travel group."
