Travel

International Car Free Day - 22nd September

For the first year, Oxford City Council is officially recognising International Car Free Day and the international campaign, “In Town, Without My Car!” on September 22nd.

Lord Mayor Bob Price at 9am will lead a city centre bike rally organised by Cyclox, a group promoting cycling in Oxford. The council will join local and community and voluntary groups promoting using walking, cycling and public transport as an alternative to using private cars. Parking fees will be waived at the Oxford City Council operated Redbridge, Seacourt and Peartree Park and Ride car parks.

Broad Street will be lined with stalls promoting alternative to using cars.  Balloons and lapel stickers will be distributed. Oxford Bus Company buses will be offering cheaper fares with tickets reduced from £5 to £3.

“We are delighted that Oxford City Council is officially recognising the day by supporting a number of voluntary groups,” said James Styring, coordinator of Cyclox. “We don’t say you have to walk or cycle all the time, of course, but people must start to ask themselves whether they need their car for every journey, and whenever possible switch to modes of transport less damaging to the environment and our health”.

Among the local community groups prompting the event are Cyclox and the Oxford Pedestrians’ Association. To mark the day, a celebration will be held in Broad Street, which will be closed off to traffic, so people can rediscover the pleasure of walking around Oxford. A free breakfast will be served  to anyone arriving in Broad Street between 8:15 and 9 am who can prove they have not arrived by car.

Corinne Grimley-Evans, coordinator of Oxford Pedestrians Association, added: “Oxford is noted for its efforts to control traffic growth, yet few would accept the current situation as satisfactory or worthy of this beautiful city”. 

The idea behind Car Free Day is to give people an opportunity to enjoy their city for one day a year without the usual levels of noise and pollution. Long term, it is hoped it will increase awareness of the need to restrict traffic growth and develop less polluting forms of transport.

For the last three years, Oxford voluntary groups have teamed-up to ensure the national campaign does not go unnoticed in the City of Dreaming Spires. This year’s day will include events on Broad Street designed to interest and involve more people in solving Oxford’s transport problems.  Schools, traders, voluntary groups and bus companies are collaborating in running this event to send the message that with community involvement, it is possible to make the city a more civilised and pleasant place, say organisers.