Modeshift STARS Honorary Member
Rob Bounds
Place of work:
Derbyshire County Council
What is your role within your organisation?
In my current role as Senior Transport Officer, my responsibilities include devising and promoting the Local Authority’s Travel Smart initiative to encourage sustainable travel to school through curriculum as well as delivering practical focussed activities, including the creation of campaign resources, the Scooter Smart programme and Modeshift STARS.
I am also co-chair of Derbyshire County Council’s LGBT+ employee network.
How long have you been working in this industry?
I joined Derbyshire County Council in 2001, initially as a road safety officer before moving into the school travel planning in 2004 as part of Travelling to School Initiative (TTSI)
When did your Team Modeshift journey begin?
My journey began with Modeshift when it was then the UK Local Authority School Travel Forum (UKLAST) attending local events organised by Regional School Travel Advisers (RSTAs) as well as some of the early conferences. In 2012 I joined the Modeshift Board to represent the East and West Midlands to help carry on the good work established by the previous RSTAs
Why do you believe it is important to promote active and sustainable travel?
Swapping car journeys for more active and sustainable modes is a win win – it’s healthier and greener reaping all the benefits that brings in terms of improved air quality, less congestion, reduced carbon emissions and improved fitness and wellbeing.
Making a journey of some sort is part of the daily routine of most people lives and so more or less everyone can make a difference by opting not to make the car their default mode of transport.
What’s next, how do you plan on getting there, and by when?
I’m really looking forward to continuing my journey with Modeshift as a member of the Expert Advisory Panel helping to promote equality, diversity and inclusion working alongside the board, Modeshift members, partners and supporters to ensure our sustainable travel promotions and activities reach everyone.
On a personal level, as a result of working more from home, my cycle commuting miles have dropped through the floor with a noticeable impact on my level of fitness!
So I asked for panniers for my bike for Christmas and I’ve resolved to do the supermarket run on two wheels rather than four to improve my Love to Ride stats in 2022!
