Switch to active travel during car free week

Sunday 22 September is World Car Free Day, and motorists are being encouraged to leave their cars at home for the day.  

However, it should not be just for one day. It is about making small changes to our lifestyles every day to help protect the environment.

We hope that residents will embrace World Car Free week with us and where possible, leave their car at home, choose a greener form of transport or even better: opt for active travel to improve their health, save money and the planet.

Residents who plan to travel actively during Car Free Week can claim their reward at one of our Smoothie Bike drop-in events in Cobham, Walton and Weybridge next week. They will be invited to blend their own perfect fresh smoothie and get a free five-day Xcel leisure pass when they make a pledge to travel in a more environmentally friendly way.

Where we will be:

• Monday 23 September: Xcel Leisure centre, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2JG - from 1pm to 4pm 
• Tuesday 24 September: Cobham library, The Cedar Centre, Cedar Road, Cobham KT11 2AE - from 1pm 3pm 
• Wednesday 25 September: Weybridge Library (currently located at Weybridge Centre for the Community), Churchfield House, Churchfield Road, Weybridge KT13 8DB  from 10am – 1pm 

As part of Car Free Week, we are also inviting residents to discover their local Active Travel routes with local handy maps and find out more about the Elmbridge Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Cllr Ashley Tilling, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environmental Services and Sustainability, said: "During Car Free Week, we are keen to encourage everybody to make the most of Elmbridge walking and cycling routes to help the environment. Active travel is a great way to cut carbon emissions, improve air quality and it also benefits health and wellbeing.” 

If you want to take this one step (or wheel) further, get onboard Surrey County Council’s Greener programme encouraging everyone to travel around Surrey in a way that is good for the environment through their link up with BetterPoints. With the BetterPoints App, you can earn rewards as a digital currency that can be spent at participating local businesses, redeemed for high street vouchers, or donated to charity.

Encouraging residents to choose greener forms of transport is only a small part of what we do as part of our carbon-free ambitions. Find out how we are working towards a greener future for residents, with the help of local community groups and businesses.