Car-free day and yoga sessions

Monday 23rd September 2019 07:52 EDT
 
 

On Sunday 22nd September, London celebrated car-free day, where yoga and race go-kart sessions replaced cars and buses on the streets.

Away from the centre, 15 boroughs ran their own Car Free Day celebrations and more than 340 "play streets" - safe spaces for local people to socialise and play - were approved by 24 boroughs.

Mayor of London said he wanted, "Londoners to just imagine what is possible with fewer cars on our streets.

"There are thousands of Londoners who die prematurely. We need Londoners to understand the importance of reducing the pollution on our streets," he said.

Sadiq Khan had even criticised some “anti-walking, anti-cycling” councils as he himself cycled across Tower Bridge. An estimated 17 miles of road in the city were closed to traffic in a bid to control environment pollution. He said he also hoped to increase the number of people who either walk, cycle or use public transport as their preferred mode of commute. As of today there 63% people who commute through public transport however, Khan hopes to increase that number up to 80% by 2041 while suggesting that national government needed to do more to reduce air pollution within the capital.

Organisers estimated that more than 150,000 participated in the day’s festivities. The event was geared at drawing awareness to the dangers of toxic air and encouraging city dwellers to explore the capital without the use of a pollution-emitting vehicle.


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