Hopes have been raised that an 85% surge in cycling and walking across the north-east can be sustained after lockdown.
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils are now banding together to encourage residents in both areas to keep up the healthy habits.
It comes as Aberdeen City Council recently revived plans for a “Boris Bikes”-inspired bicycle hire scheme, which would be available in 32 locations.
Meanwhile in Aberdeenshire, plans are in place to create an “active travel” corridor alongside the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road to encourage more people to cycle rather than drive into the city.
Aberdeen City Council transport spokeswoman Sandra Macdonald encouraged people to incorporate their newfound patterns into their daily life on a permanent basis.
She said: “Our residents really embraced walking and cycling during lockdown and it would be fantastic if this continued as more people return to work and before they go back to their old habits.
“Walking, cycling and wheeling where you can is better for your health, wellbeing and bank balance and is also better for everyone’s health with less traffic fumes.
“We’d encourage people to keep up the good habits from lockdown and to think about how they could incorporate continuing to walk, cycle or wheel in their everyday lives whether for work or leisure.”
Councillor Peter Argyle, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, added: “So much has changed during lockdown, but one of the most heartening aspects is seeing the increase in the number of people of all ages taking the opportunity to go walking and cycling across our north-east communities.
“With such an abundance of great active travel routes across the region, I would encourage everyone to get out into the fresh air and enjoy our wonderful scenery this summer.”
However, campaign groups have urged both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils to stay true to their active travel promises.
Tom Collier, of the Grampian Cycle Partnership (GCP), urged the local authorities to “maintain momentum” last month.
He said: “One of the few positives that has come to the fore as we all struggle to cope with the dreadful impact, and devastating toll, of Covid-19 has been the startling increase in the number of people out walking and cycling. Many bikes have been ‘reclaimed’ from behind junk in the shed or garage.
“In order to maintain this momentum, we need to ensure that it is both safe and convenient for our communities to be out and about on bikes.”