TfL encourages people to make the most of car-free streets this weekend to boost their mental health and wellbeing

Transport for London (TfL) and London boroughs are encouraging people to enjoy traffic-free streets this weekend as London marks World Car Free Day, with around a hundred events in local streets and neighbourhoods.

Local streets across London will be open for play over the weekend as they become play streets for the day, enabling thousands of Londoners to play, walk, cycle and spend time with their neighbours. London hosted its largest Car Free Day celebrations in 2019, which saw thousands of people enjoy traffic-free streets in central London as well as hundreds of local streets across the capital. Since the pandemic, Car Free Day events have been focused on local neighbourhoods, and continue to offer a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy their streets in new ways.

Santander Cycles will be encouraging people to make the most of their cycles this weekend with the opening of a new docking station in Clapham and a special Car Free Day discount of 50 per cent off monthly memberships*. The new docking station on Nightingale Lane in Clapham has proven popular with more than 500 hires in its first weeks of opening. As well as encouraging people to walk and cycle more as part of World Car Free Day, TfL and the free community walking app Go Jauntly are also encouraging Londoners to improve their health and wellbeing by walking at least 20 minutes a day in order to raise awareness of World Alzheimer’s Month.

There have been several studies** linking the positive effects exercise can bring to older people, with findings reporting improvements in thinking, memory, and reduced rates of dementia.

The free Go Jauntly app enables Londoners and visitors to the capital the opportunity to discover local walks created by the people who know and love them. They can also enjoy the Walk London Network, one of the largest walking networks of any city in the world, which offers beautiful walks which can be found throughout central and Greater London. 

These routes are specifically designed to be easily accessible by public transport and people can walk as little or as far as they choose by walking them in sections. This initiative forms part of TfL’s Walking and Cycling Action Plans to make London one of the best cities for walking and cycling. This approach mirrors the overarching goal of the Mayor's Transport Strategy that by 2041, 80 per cent of journeys will be made by walking, cycling and public transport.

Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy and Policy at TfL, said: "During World Alzheimer’s Month and ahead of World Car Free Day and traffic-free streets this weekend we’re keen to encourage people of all ages to make the most of London’s fantastic walking and cycling routes to help improve their health and wellbeing. Walking and cycling are brilliant ways to get around and explore the capital, and we’re committed to making London one of the best big cities in the world to explore on foot and bike.”

Fiona Sutherland, Director of London Play, said: “London Play is pleased to be working with TfL to give ordinary Londoners the chance to create instant communal space on their doorsteps, for neighbours of all ages to be active and have fun together. The simple act of excluding cars for a few hours on a residential play street can open people’s eyes to the huge potential our streets have to contribute both to individual wellbeing and community spirit.”  

Hana Sutch, CEO and Co-Founder of Go Jauntly, said: “Walking is a 'wonder drug' with a myriad of beneficial effects. We're thrilled to team up with Transport for London this Car Free Day and World Alzheimer's Month to encourage Londoners to walk just 20 minutes a day. Walking is fun, free and easy and does wonders for your mental and physical health.”