Editorial: Active transport: Why and where do people (not) walk or cycle?

The increasing emphasis on active forms of transport is slowly finding its way into policy initiatives. Yet, the modal shift from motorised to active transport is slower than expected, and for some cities and countries it is stagnating (Pooley et al., 2014a). Clearly, more needs to be done to encourage walking and cycling, in recognition of the potential health and environmental benefits, but the evidence base for interventions remains relatively weak. Most of the interest on active transport comes from outside of geography, with public health, transport, and built environment professionals and researchers exploring the role of non-motorised travel modes on health. The aim of this special issue was to attract articles focussed on walking and/or cycling for transport and associated health outcomes, with an emphasis on geographical and spatial perspectives. This aim has been achieved, with contributions from international experts in transport, social, health geography, and the wider spatial sciences, with most of the contributions considering how we can influence public policy and promote the role of geography in active transport. The topics covered in this issue include all aspects of active transport, but the emphasis remains on space. In particular, the social and spatial distribution of active forms of transport; the impact of walking and/or cycling on health; the constraints restricting further modal shift towards non-motorised transport; and theoretical considerations on the geography of active travel. In this editorial, I present the articles published in the special issue and close with a brief reflection from my experience as guest editor for this issue of the Journal of Transport & Health (JTH).