Witney Town Council Welcomes Car Free Day As A Breath Of Fresh Air
Having declared a Climate Emergency in June, Witney Town Council is supporting a Car Free day on Sunday September 22nd. We are encouraging people to leave their car at home (if possible) and discover some of the benefits of being car free.
There is a growing awareness that climate change, air pollution, and poor health due to lack of exercise mean that we need to shift away from car use and towards walking, cycling and public transport.
Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your energy use, or simply enjoy the health and social benefits of being car free, you are invited to participate in Car Free Day.
There are no road closures planned for this year but there will be some cycling activities and a Health Walk taking place on the day and activities throughout the week before to highlight the best reasons for leaving your car at home.
We will be asking people to share running, walking, mobility scooter and cycling routes they have used to come into town along with their experiences of their car free journey, good or bad.
Car Free Day is a great opportunity for individuals and communities to try something new. What do you see and hear when walking or cycling that you might miss when you are in your car?
It’s not easy for everyone to be without a car that day. If your job requires that you visit several different sites in your working day that might be impractical, but just reducing the number of cars on the road has a big impact on air quality. So, if Sunday is your big shop day and you need a car, why not consider sharing with a friend or neighbour and shopping together? It’s a great chance to have a catch up and socialise.
If you are choosing alternative transport on that day Witney Town Council encourages you to post about your journey or share how you are taking part on social media using the hashtag #CarFreeWitney
Leader of The Council, Cllr Rosa Bolger, commented
“Car Free Day is about supporting and encouraging us all to explore our town by finding an alternative way to get around. We’re very lucky in Witney to have so many wonderful paths and cycle routes. If you can, why not join us by hopping on your bike, taking the bus or walking in- let us know what you and your family choose and best of all how you’ve contributed to tackling our climate emergency one step (or pedal) at a time.”
We have a great line up of events. Starting bright and early at Witney’s Park Run event. The Park Runners have teamed up with Windrush Bike Project this Saturday and have issued this invitation:
As a precursor to Car Free Day on Sunday 22nd September, we would encourage those of you who are able, to walk or cycle to Witney parkrun on Saturday 21st September.
We are also pleased to be joined on that day by Windrush Bike Project who will be offering free bike checks, maps of local cycling routes and general cycling advice. 🚴♀️🚴♂️
Having declared a Climate Emergency in June, Witney Town Council is supporting this year’s Car Free Day on Sunday September 22nd. There is a growing awareness that climate change, air pollution, and poor health due to lack of exercise mean that we need to shift away from car use and towards walking, cycling and public transport.
If you bring your bike along to Witney parkrun on Saturday 21st or decide to ditch the car on Sunday 22nd, Witney Town Council encourages you to share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #CarFreeWitney.
Windrush Bike Project are also helping out on Sunday with some guided rides into town and Lawrence and Judith have organised guided walks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There are refreshments in the Corn Exchange between 10.30am and 1pm, so every reason to come into town and ‘Just for One Day, Choose Another Way.’
