Cycling champ Dame Sarah Storey’s bid to map Rotherham's best and worst bike and walking spots

Dame Sarah Storey with city region mayor Dan Jarvis

.4Former champ-on-two-wheels Dame Sarah Storey is asking as part of her role as the region’s active travel commissioner for the public’s views on South Yorkshire’s existing network of roads, cycle ways and footpaths.

Dame Sarah, whose haul of 14 Paralympic golds also includes two in the pool, said she wanted to find out what was and wasn’t working through a new interactive online map.

All contributions will be used as part of the work taking place with South Yorkshire’s four local authorities to figure out what the region’s “Active Travel Network” could look like by 2040.

Comments made on the interactive map will be used alongside those of transport planning experts to ensure the network is suitable, safe and accessible.

Dame Sarah said: “This map is for those who walk or cycle now, and those who want to in the future.

“I want to hear what you think about South Yorkshire’s roads and footways as they are at the moment, to help my team and I improve them for you in the future.

“For those parents who struggle with buggies and worry about when their toddlers want to run on ahead, or the teenagers who don’t feel safe walking to school and people using wheelchairs or have mobility aids, what are your journeys like now?

“And how could they be improved and made safer? Do you face challenges on what should be the simplest of journeys?

“I am committed to being led by communities - I want to know what works for you and what doesn’t.”

The Active Travel Interactive Map can be found at sheffieldcityregion.org/cyclewalkSCR.

All comments are anonymous but can be shared to social media using #CycleWalkSCR.

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “The car has been king for far too long.

“The health of our planet and its people is rapidly deteriorating, our children are breathing dirty air and we are in the midst of an obesity crisis.

“We must offer people an alternative to driving which is safe and accessible for all.

“By asking people what they need and working with some of the country’s most knowledgeable active travel experts, we will create a network which will provide people with a genuine alternative to driving.”