Cycling to school, by Alaska DOT&PF, CC BY 2.0
Cycling to school, by Alaska DOT&PF, CC BY 2.0

Zero Carbon Harrogate is launching a Green Travel Campaign that includes Car Free Fridays and Walk to School.

The aim of the campaign is to persuade people to take cleaner, greener transport once a week. This includes:

  • shared mobility
  • public transport and
  • active travel

This will help reduce congestion and improve health and air quality. The hope is that it normalises greener transport habits and ultimately reduces carbon emissions across the Harrogate District.

Car Free Fridays

Car Free Fridays re-launches on Friday 20th October 2023. It is aimed at secondary schools and colleges, as well as the business community.

Harrogate Bus Company is a key partner in the Car Free Fridays campaign. They are encouraging businesses to sign up to their Commuter Club.

The bus company also does 2 for 1 tickets on Car Free Fridays.

While not strictly car free, North Yorkshire’s Liftshare scheme can reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Walk to School

Also re-launching on Friday 20th October, Walk to School is targeted at Harrogate District’s Primary Schools. It is once per half term, and there are separate events in Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Nidderdale and Ripon.

The organisations helping to promote this include:

  • Nidderdale Climate and Environment Group
  • Ripon Together
  • Boroughbridge Town Council
  • Knaresborough Town Council
  • Harrogate Town AFC
  • North Yorkshire Council

The Need for Active Travel Infrastructure

Car Free Fridays and Walk to School are great initiatives, but they need to go hand in hand with physical changes to streets to prioritise walking, and safe and convenient cycle routes.

That is the responsibility of North Yorkshire Council, but we are yet to see any action from them.

Car Free Fridays & Walk to School

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