Plymouth residents are being encouraged to go car free this Wednesday as part of World Car Free Day.
The international event, which falls on Wednesday 22 September, will see thousands of people leave their car at home and cycle or walk to school or work instead.
To encourage people to get involved, we’re giving away five £10 Love2Shop vouchers for people who send us pictures of their non-car journey on foot or by bike.
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport said “As part of the Council’s Climate Emergency response we’ve committed to promoting a Car Free Day across Plymouth.
“World Car Free day is a great opportunity to encourage everyone to think about how they travel and see if there’s a better, cheaper or healthier travel option than the car.
“I’m proud to say I’ll certainly be getting involved by on the day, making my usual journey using only sustainable transport.”
Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: ““Leaving your car at home will help us to improve air quality and in the long term will help towards achieving Plymouth’s target to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“We hope that World Car Free day will give everyone, the chance to give sustainable transport a try and, hopefully encourage them to leave the car at home more often.”
How the Council can help
If you’re keen to cycle to school or work we can help.
For schools, in partnership with the Sustrans Bike It Plus team, an experienced officer can work with schools to develop an exciting programme that can help the entire school community walk, cycle and scoot to school more often.
For businesses, we can help with Dr Bike checks.
If you think your organisation would benefit from a qualified mechanic visiting your place of work and completing a bike check and simple repairs, for free, please contact our Plymotion partners Bikespace at info@bikespace.org.uk or on 01752 500211 for more information.
If Car Free Day prompts you to think about how you travel and you’re keen to give cycling a go but haven’t ridden for a while (or may never have ridden) we can help here too!
Plymotion partners Plymouth Schools Sport Partnership offer a free ‘commuter tutor’ service, where riders are accompanied on journeys, such as to work or place of study, by a professional cycling instructor. They also offer one-to-one free adult cycle training, including use of equipment, for those new or returning to cycling.
This is a fantastic opportunity to boost riding confidence, identifying best possible routes and for tips and advice for riding along the way. For more information or to book a session contact Jonathan Tutte at j.tutte@sjhcsc.co.uk or call 01752 515384.
Plymotion might also be able to help get you a bike, if you’re struggling to get to work or training, through our Bike Links referral programme. More information can be found here: www.plymouth.gov.uk/parkingandtravel/cycling/bikelinks
Travel advisors are also ready to chat to you about how you’re currently travelling around Plymouth and provide you with free walking and cycling incentives and travel information to help you plan a greener, cheaper and healthier way to travel in and around the city.
Finally, don’t forget we can also offer eCargo bike trials for businesses allowing you to give an eCargo bike a go for local deliveries so for whatever trip you’re making get in touch with Plymotion to see how we can help.
For more information on any of these service, email plymotion@plymouth.gov.uk, or visit Car free day 2021