Transition Town Berkhamsted are organising a car-free day on Tuesday the 22nd June 2010 (this date intentionally falls within BikeWeek).
The aim of the day is to get as many people as possible in the town to walk, cycle, take the bus or lift-share to work or school, the shops or the park, or wherever else they may be going.
The longer term objective is remind us all what alternatives there are to the private car, and how liberating they can be.

We're asking parents and pupils to try and take the private car out of the school run for this one day. That may not be possible in every case, but car-sharing can reduce traffic and is effective in building social networks and in saving parental time. Also, Choice Taxis are offering a 10% discount of the day, which is great, as we consider a good taxi service to be part of a sustainable transport network (01442 875100).

This day would also be a great opportunity to look to share the walk to school with others (who may live nearby, or walk past your front door).All of the schools are supporting CFD in one way or another, which is brilliant, including the big ones, Berkhamsted School and Ashlyns.

If cycling is viable, but the roads are busy, a cycle bus makes cyclists much more visible and allows one or two parents to accompany a group of younger folk in safety. Again, we're encouraging parents and pupils to consider this and perhaps trial it on Car-free-day to see if it might work any other time.

Transition Town Berkhamsted are also organising an accompanied bike ride to and from school for Thomas Coram, and Ashlyns ( www.bikeweek.org.uk/transition_berko_school_ride). We can't cycle past everyone's front door, so the cycle ride would start in St John's Well Lane car park (as somewhere central and level or downhill access for most), and will then take pupils to the school gates of Thomas Coram and Ashlyns. A return accompanied ride will be organised at the end of the school day.

If you don't have a school bus, then perhaps the public bus is an option. If you need to see public transport options near you, try this excellent travel planner and see what bus routes are nearby: www.transportdirect.info

 

Many employees typically drive themselves to work. The main CFD focus for businesses is to encourage staff to try out a different mode of transport on that day, and there could be an incentive offered: Cycle to work and get a bike breakfast as a reward (typically croissant and jam, toast or cereal in a break-out room/kitchen. Lift share with at least one other colleague and get to go home 1/2 an hour early to miss the traffic. Get the bus to the office and your employer may pay half the cost.
Walk to the office and simply enjoy the fresh air and relaxation time it offers.

Ashridge College are supporting Car Free Day with enthusiasm, and are providing prizes anyone who gets there without a car on the day, with a special prize for the most innovative form of transport. Get your thinking caps on! They are also launching a wide-ranging sustainability intiative for their staff, to encourage environmental good practice to become the norm and running lunchtime seminars too.

We would love to hear from businesses who want to participate and TTB can provide posters to promote the day around your premises. We'd also like to get feedback on what incentives you offered (if any) and what the uptake was like.Here is a car-share website - you can register for nothing, and see if anyone else is making a similar journey, and contact them if you choose to: www.liftshare.com/uk/

Or you can choose to cycle with company too: bikebudi.liftshare.com/

 

We're working on some incentives to make it easier for local people to visit the town on foot and by public transport. Choice Taxis are offering a 10% discount on the day, which is great, as we consider a good taxi service to be part of a sustainable transport network (01442 875100).

We've also asked Little Jim's coaches if they will provide a discounted intra-town fare for the day.
STOP PRESS. Little Jim supports CFD! Little Jim coaches are offering a return to Hemel for the price of a single on the day

Some cyclists with panniers/trailers will be available (pre-booking required by phone) to pick up your shopping and drop it at your front door to save you the leg work. Here is the number to arrange this: 07795 236402 and ask for Danny.

With all this going on, and without so many cars, the town will be a great place to be on June 22nd. Do come and savour the atmosphere.