Car-free days
About this activity
Suitable for all pupils, staff and families.
A car-free day encourages pupils, staff, parents and carers to walk, cycle, scoot or use public transport to get to school.
Plan a car-free day once a year or term to prompt your school community to discover a new way to get to school and potentially change their travel habits for good. The day can also help to ease congestion around the school gates and improve road safety and Air Quality.
Encourage those who need to drive to park their cars a distance from school and walk the last part of their journey. This could be part of Park and Stride or Car-free zone – activities which could be launched at the same time as your first car-free day.
Involve your Junior and Youth Travel Ambassadors (JTA/YTA) and eco council to support you with organising and promoting the day.
World Car Free Day takes place annually on or around 22 September. You could plan your first car free day for this date and be part of an international movement. Visit the World Car Free Day website for information, ideas and resources to help you to plan the day.
How to evidence your activity
- Involve your borough officer: Share your ideas, agree your targets and discuss any challenges you face
- Record the feedback from your pupils, parents and staff. Take pictures outside the school of pupils and staff travelling actively
- Sign in to STARS to add your story. Explain the activity, include your pupils’ feedback and photographs. Also include any posters, letters and promotional materials produced to support the activity
Activity steps
Tags
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Smarter driving
This activity counts towards:
- Travel activity
How it helps
- Promotes positive travel behaviours
- Encourages whole school participation
- Eases congestion at schools gates
- Improves Air Quality around schools