World Car Free Day 2022 – A Great Opportunity To Enjoy Cycling!

Thursday 22^nd September is World Car Free Day when towns and cities around the world allow people to experience streets free of motor traffic. Naturally, it’s a great opportunity for us all to get out on our bikes!

Bicycle travel is also good for the environment, as it doesn't produce greenhouse gases as petrol and diesel engines do. So, World Car Free Day is a great opportunity not only to get some exercise but also to do our bit for the planet too!

As a leading Bike shop in Berkshire, we at AW Cycles love to promote the joys of cycling – so World Car Free Day is a great opportunity to get riders of all experiences out on their bikes and hopefully on the road to better health. Let’s take a look at what it’s all about.

About World Car Free Day

Every year, places around the world give up their cars for the day and instead walk, ride or do other things to move around – just not in a motorised vehicle! The result is less traffic, less pollution and more healthy travel – showcasing just how our places look like, feel like and sound like without a car for one day.

Starting in 2000, the annual celebration is a grassroots movement by the World Carefree Network. Their vision is to promote alternatives to private vehicle travel, such as active mobility. Active mobility is ‘the transport of goods through non-motorised means’, based on human physical activity. In the UK, the day is run in conjunction with European Mobility Week which aims to encourage sustainable travel across the community.

Many towns and cities across the UK will be marking the day with the closure of roads in some of its busiest locations. The Strand, one of Liverpool’s most-used roads will be closed on the 22^nd September while in places like Witney, no roads will be closed but the local council is actively encouraging people to ditch their cars for the day, with a number of events and activities planned.

Another way local authorities are helping to cut down on the number of vehicles on their roads is by offering free bus travel for the day – for example, West Berkshire Council are allowing passengers travelling to/from Newbury, Thatcham, Reading, Basingstoke and Swindon free return travel to encourage them to leave their cars at home.

Naturally, the team here at AW Cycles would encourage cycling as the best form of transport on World Car Free Day!

Why Cycle on World Car Free Day?

Unless your destination is within walking distance, a bike is a great alternative to a car for getting from A to B. Cycling is much better for your health, environment and pocket – choosing to ride to work for a day or two a week could potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds a year!

Some key advantages that cycling to work has over driving, include:

• Cycling provides long-lasting benefits towards health and wellbeing – boosting your physical and mental health.
• Cycling will save you money as you’ll be using less fuel and parking fees.
• Cycling dramatically reduces CO2, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

So, this World Car Free Day, consider getting out your bike and cycling to where you need to go!

AW Cycles – High-Quality Bikes For Riders of All Experiences

If you’re looking for a reliable brand of bicycles for all the family, Ridgeback is ideal. Designed to offer high-performance qualities at affordable prices, they are perfect for any rider – no matter their riding experience. So please feel free to browse through the selection of bicycles that are available for purchase from us – or you can even come visit our friendly and experienced staff in person at our bike shop. We stock the widest selection of bikes in the area and cater for all ages and riding styles.

If you would like more information on how to make the most of World Car Free Day 2022 or if you have any questions about any of the products you see on our website (or just cycling in general), then our team are on hand to help. You can either contact us by calling 0118 946 3050, sending an e-mail to info@awcycles.co.uk or you can pop by our Bike shop in Reading – you can find us at 110 Henley Road, Caversham.