World Car Free Day – What's Happening in London?

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22 September 2023

22 September 2023 marks World Car Free Day, and London’s neighbourhoods will be open for several events that involve leaving the car at home.

World Car Free Day allows people to reimagine their streets free of motor traffic, sharing ideas on how we can make our streets safer and better for walking and cycling.

Since the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been extended to support the Mayor’s vision for a greener London with better air quality, Londoners with older vehicles will pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive in the capital. So this year’s World Car Free Day coincides with many people seeking alternative ways to get around the city.

Transport for London (TfL) and London boroughs are hosting around a hundred events in local streets and neighbourhoods across the weekend.

Santander Cycles Membership Discounts and Play Streets

Santander Cycles is offering a 50 per cent discount on monthly memberships, between 18 and 24 September 2023. Just use the code CARFREEDAY

TfL and the walking app Go Jauntly are also encouraging Londoners to walk at least 20 minutes a day for World Alzheimer’s Month. The free Go Jauntly app enables Londoners and visitors to the capital the opportunity to discover local walks. They can also enjoy the Walk London Network, one of the largest walking networks of any city in the world.

With no cars around, local streets across London will have the space for children to play safely. In association with London Play, many will become play streets for the day, with the charity offering free spacehoppers and play equipment in the lead-up to the event.

At least half of the play streets are expected to take place in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, with the remaining taking place on residential streets.

On Friday 22 there will be a chalk rainbow spacehopper track outside Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. On Saturday, Deptford High Street joins in the action with a giant hopscotch, street games and junk modelling.

Fiona Sutherland, Director of London Play, said: “London Play is pleased to be working with TfL to give ordinary Londoners the chance to create instant communal space on their doorsteps, for neighbours of all ages to be active and have fun together. The simple act of excluding cars for a few hours on a residential play street can open people’s eyes to the huge potential our streets have to contribute both to individual wellbeing and community spirit.”  

Picture: a photograph of three children and an adult bouncing on spacehoppers on a residential street. They are all wearing raincoats.  Image Credit: Jeff Russell Absolute Photography

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 September 2023

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