We’re encouraging Plymouth residents to go car free this Thursday.
National Clean Air Day falls on Thursday 8 October and we want people to leave their car at home to help improve air quality and work towards Plymouth’s target to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Air quality in Plymouth is generally good. However, where there are issues these are largely related to road traffic emissions.
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 Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene said “As part of the Council’s first Climate Emergency Action Plan we’ve committed to promoting a Car Free Day across Plymouth.
“Clean Air Day 2020 is a great opportunity to do just that and tackle both climate change and air quality by encouraging everyone to leave their car at home.”
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure added: “Clean Air Day is a great opportunity to think about how we all travel and I’m really pleased that the Council, through our successful Plymotion programme, can help support more journeys being made by sustainable transport.
“Whether you’re a novice cyclist, an experienced commuter, a business or a school, I’m confident we’ve got something to help you walk, cycle or use public transport, and I’d encourage you to contact the team and find out more.”
How the Council can help
If you’re keen to cycle to school or work our Dr Bike service can help. For schools, in partnership with the Sustrans Bike It Plus team, an experienced officer can check bikes and provide basic repairs. This service is available until Christmas and is available on a first come, first served basis.
For businesses, 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 Clean Air 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.
This is a fantastic opportunity to identify 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 www.plymouth.gov.uk/cleanairday2020