Southend-on-Sea ForwardMotion Online Cycle Map

The ForwardMotion initiative is a public active-travel programme operating across South Essex, including Southend-on-Sea. Its core aim is to encourage residents to reduce reliance on cars and instead travel by cycling, walking, or public transport.

Funded by Active Travel England promoting active, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable travel habits.

Key features of the brand and programme include:

• Cycle training and education:
  ForwardMotion delivers Bikeability courses for children and adults, teaching skills from basic bike control to riding on busy roads safely.
• Community engagement:
  The initiative runs events, school programmes, and outreach via a mobile cycle hub, offering advice, bike checks, and travel planning support.
• Accessibility and inclusion:
  Free or low-cost training sessions and family cycling programmes aim to make cycling accessible to all ages and abilities.
• Infrastructure support:
  ForwardMotion manages and promotes secure cycle parking and supports facilities such as e-bike charging hubs across the city.

Overall, the brand focuses on behaviour change - helping people see walking, wheeling and cycling as a practical, everyday transport options rather than just a leisure activity.

Southend is currently improving its cycling infrastructure as part of a wider active travel strategy and consultations, including a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Pindar Creative were appointed to develop a new online interactive cycle map to help users plan journeys based on skill level and confidence, making routes more accessible and user-friendly.

The online interactive cycle map features:

• Pan-able and zoomable mapping.
• Cycle route layers with can be turned on-off showing the New and improved routes aimed to connect residential areas with schools, workplaces, and transport hubs, encouraging daily commuting by bike. These routes prioritise safety and accessibility for less experienced cyclists.
• Clickable hotspots linking to additional information for their key points of interest and cycle parking and community cycle locker locations.
• Ability for the user to turn on realistic isochrones showing walk and cycle distances from a specific destination.
• The map also highlights existing off-road paths, such as those along the seafront between Chalkwell and Shoeburyness, are being promoted and used for events to encourage uptake of cycling.

Overall Impact:

Together, ForwardMotion and the development of new cycle routes aim to:

• Reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions
• Improve public health through increased physical activity
• Create a safer, more connected urban transport network
• Encourage long-term cultural change toward sustainable travel

In summary, Southend-on-Sea is positioning walking, wheeling and cycling as a central part of its future transport system, with ForwardMotion acting as both a promotional brand and a practical support network for this transition.