Devon Car Free Day

Change your travel habits!

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DEVON residents are being urged to leave their cars at home on Devon Car Free Day on Wednesday 22 September.

The annual event is organised as part of Devon County Council’s TravelWise campaign and supports the ’International In Town Without My Car Day’. Devon County Council is working with Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council to encourage people to try using a different, greener form of travel.

Everyone who takes part in Devon Car Free Day also has the chance to enter categories for either the Most Creative Way of Travelling or Best Team Effort.

Prizes up for grabs for Devon residents include a family rail ticket to London from First Great Western, a new bicycle to the value of £150 provided by Sanctuary Group and free cycle hire or a cycle computer from the Cycle Exeter project and Cycle Devon campaign.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said:

“People from right across the county surprise us every year in coming up with new ways to travel to school and work on Devon Car Free Day. Obviously there’s an element of fun but there’s also a serious underlying message to promote green travel, cut congestion and reduce our carbon footprint. We want people to try cycling, walking or catching the bus or train; it may even be the first time for some, but the hope is it will convince them to continue to do so.

“This annual event always gets people thinking about alternatives to using the car, and hopefully everyone who does their bit on the day can see how it can save money and benefit their health. Our thanks must also go to the companies who are generously providing prizes.”

Last year, people travelled using everything from scooters to skateboards, and kayaks to sedan chairs, as well as the more traditional alternatives such as car sharing, park and ride, cycling and walking.

Businesses and organisations from right across the county also got involved in last year’s Devon Car Free Day. Pandora Best from the Environment Agency undertook an epic 35 mile trip, driving a pony and trap to her office in Exminster, to raise funds for three charities, Wateraid, Caspian Horse Society, and Devon Air Ambulance.

Exeter Diocese staff faced a voluntary charge of £10 on all cars parking either at the Old Deanery or at Diocesan House on the day, and the congregation at St Mary’s Church at Willand was also invited to attend without cars on the Sunday before Devon Car Free Day.

People are asked to email details of their intended travel choices to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it before Devon Car Free Day. All entries for the Most Creative Way of Travelling or Best Team Effort categories must be submitted with a photograph no later than Friday 24 September. A selection will appear on the Devon County Council, 25/08/2010