This month marks 25 years since we inaugurated Britain’s first national Car Free Day – an event that’s now global and still going strong. Many hundreds of town and cities around the world are expected to take part in this year’s event on 22 September 2022. While we’re celebrating the quarter century since we helped usher in the UK’s first national event, we’re also also commiserating the fact it’s still needed after all this time.
There are many reasons why it makes sense to reduce the reliance on cars – particularly in urban areas. Air pollution and congested streets are of great concern to people today – and for good reason. Britain now has the dubious title of highest death rate for lung conditions in western Europe, according to research carried out by the charity Asthma and Lung UK. European surveys have shown that over six people in ten say that motorised traffic in their city is unbearable.
Nine out of ten people believe that increasing public transport is a priority in combating air pollution and seven out of ten say they support a ban on car traffic in the centre of cities on certain days. However, at the same time, urban traffic is increasing – the associated noise, air pollution, stress and road danger eroding quality of life and putting lives at risk.
Dutch transport planning focuses on the needs of people as opposed to drivers
Car Free Day on 22 September every year is aimed at reclaiming cities and challenging the status quo. It raises awareness of the road danger, pollution and noise caused by motorised traffic as well as championing the rights of pedestrians and cyclists and the need for more and better public transport. The idea is to reconsider urban transport with a view to sharing streets more equitably.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
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