Britain welcomes Car Free Day 2009

Motorists in over nineteen British towns and cities will on 22nd September leave their cars at home in favour of bicycles, trains and buses as part of Car Free Day, a now global event that was first organised in Britain by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).

World Car Free Day, or ‘In town without my car day’ as it is referred to in Britain, takes place every year on 22nd September as an international celebration of environmentally-sensitive transport.

The same event last year involved almost 2000 towns and cities in 38 countries around the world.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The number of cars and urban traffic is constantly increasing, and the associated noise, air pollution and stress is eroding the quality of life of urban dwellers. Car Free Day focuses on highlighting alternatives to car travel, the rights of pedestrians and cyclists, and the need for more and better public transport.”

“We do not want to put cars on trial or to condemn the desire for mobility – the idea is to reconsider urban transport with the prospect of sharing streets more efficiently.”

Car Free Day 2009 events in Britain

Location Event date / time Event details More info / contact details
Bath and North East Somerset 22nd September 2009 Encouraging people to use sustainable forms of transport Click for more info. Contact 01225 394041
Blackpool 22nd September 2009 Click for more info. Contact 01253 476260
Brighton & Hove 20th September 12 to 5pm The Lanes, New Road, Jubilee Street and Jubilee Square will be made into pedestrian friendly areas with live music, performances and activities. People are encouraged to walk, cycle or get the bus to the event Click for more info. Contact 01273 290000
Camden, London 11th September 11am to 3pm Great Queen Street will be closed to motor traffic between Wild Street and Newton Street Click for more info. Contact 020 7974 2520
Chichester September 2009 Encouraging people to walk or use public transport instead of their car Click for more info. Contact airquality@chichester.gov.uk
Coventry 22nd September 2009 Encouraging people to use sustainable transport where possible Click for more info. Contact joanne.rainbow@coventry.gov.uk
Devon 22nd September 2009 Encouraging people to use more environmentally friendly methods of travel instead of their car. Organisations which help employees to take part will be entered into a prize draw worth £1000 to be spent on green travel initiatives for employees such as bicycle storage Click for more info. Contact 01392 382089
Dunbar 22nd September 2009 Click for more info
Eastbourne 22nd September 2009 Click for more info. Contact 0800 980 0901
Greenwich Exploring car free travel options Click for more info. Contact 020 8854 8888
Harrogate 22nd September 2009 Free early breakfast for bus commuters, education car in schools and bike ride through town at 5pm Click for more info. Contact harrogatecarfreeday@hotmail.com
Kidderminster 19th September 2009 Road closure all day on the 19th of September on Worcester Street up to Bromsgrove Street and New Road junction Click for more info. Contact 01562 732572
Leytonstone 20th September 2009 1pm – 7pm Leytonstone Town Centre will be closed to traffic with live music and entertainment Click for more info. Contact wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
Monmouth 19th & 20th September 2009 buses will be free, there will be electric bicycles for people to try, a parade of harness horses and a pedestrian/cycle rally tbc
Stockport 22nd September 2009 Stockport will hold an event to celebrate the day Click for more info. Contact sustainable.travel@stockport.gov.uk
Stoke 22nd September 2009 Unlimited bus travel for £1 Click for more info. Contact carfreeday@stoke.gov.uk
Westminster, London 22nd September 2009 Public exhibitions on wayfinding for pedestrians and cyclists. Road closure (road to be confirmed). Click for more info. Contact 020 76412016
Wigan 17-23 September 2009 Road show to encourage people not to use their car on car free day and to use alternative transport such as public transport Click for more info. Contact 01942 244991
Woking 22nd September 2009 Cycling events in schools and new cycle shelters will be opened in the town centre and schools Click for more info. Contact 01483 519147
York 22nd September 2009 Encouraging people to use more sustainable transport for the day instead of your car. You can apply for a free day ticket for all local First buses in York Click for more info. Contact yorkcarfree@york.gov.uk
  • Find out about the ETA’s pivotal role in spreading this concept throughout Britain The origins of Car Free Day
  • For background information, the plans throughout Britain and advice for both current and future participants In Town Without My Car homepage

What is the ETA?

The ETA is an ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products – including a specialised service for electric vehicles.

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