World Car Free Day
World Car Free Day is an annual event held on 22 September each year. We are encouraging residents to take part in this event as part of a range of measures designed to improve both local air quality and our health.
Did you know that the majority of car journeys taken are for less than 2 miles?
Do you need to use your vehicle for as many journeys as you currently do?
Think about what changes you can make to your routine to take part in World Car Free Day. You may find going car free is easier than you thought and that it provides other benefits that you hadn’t previously considered.
Discover your community
On World Car Free Day discover your community outside your car and enjoy the benefits it has to offer.
Councillor Paul Keska, Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder
What can you do to avoid or reduce your car use?
Walk short journeys
- Do you live close to your children’s school? Walking, scooting or riding a bike are cheaper environmental options for transport
- If your shopping fits in a bag or trolley, walk to your local shops
Cycling
- Cycling is good exercise and a popular sport, but can you use your bicycle for trips that you might ordinarily use the car?
- Use an app to plan your cycle route, e.g. https://www.cyclinguk.org/journey-planner
Take public transport
- If public transport options are available why not given them go? You don’t need to worry about parking!
- Find out about Public Transport options at https://www.traveline.info/ or https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Work from home
- Does your job allow you to work from home at least some of the time? Reduced travel time = more leisure time
- If you need to use your car for work, try to travel at times when the roads are less congested, and use less fuel!
Car share with others doing similar journeys
- Start sharing regular journeys with others to save transport costs and make friends
- Sign up to a local Car Share Scheme e.g. liftshare.com/uk
Plan your day to reduce mileage and time spent in the car
- If you do need to use a car to do the shopping, try to go less frequently and when roads are not congested
- If you are taking your children to an activity, can you do the shopping etc nearby whilst they are there to save having to make additional car journeys?
- Car emissions are greatest when your engine is cold and this is made significantly worse where traffic is slow moving or the engines are idling (did you know that idling your cars engine on the public highway is an offence?)
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