Belfast Healthy Cities welcomes new Walking & Cycling Champion role

Belfast Healthy Cites, the World Health Organization representative in Northern Ireland, has welcomed the announcement that Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, is to appoint a new Walking and Cycling Champion. 

Speaking after the announcement was made by the Minister to the NI Assembly, Joan Devlin, Chief Executive of Belfast Healthy Cities, said “Cities across the European Healthy Cities Network have shown how small and simple improvements to the cycling and walking infrastructure can dramatically change how their citizens move about the city. Through our walkability studies across Belfast, we have identified many difficulties with the city infrastructure that could be improved to help walkers and cyclists.

“We are delighted that the Minister for Infrastructure is appointing a new walking and cycling champion, who will lead the change that out streets need to make this a more friendly place for cycling and walking. Increasing these activities has an important positive impact upon physical and mental wellbeing, as well as cutting down on unnecessary car journeys, which has a positive environmental impact. Belfast Healthy Cities looks forward to working with the new walking and cycling Champion to bring ideas and best practice from the Healthy Cities Network across Europe.”