Cleaning up London’s toxic air

I've been cycling in London since 1979 and haven't driven a car since 1983! Back then cycling was a lot more dangerous than it is now. There were no cycle lanes to speak of, cars were much less aware of cyclists and far less used to seeing them and navigating the roundabout at Hyde Park Corner was a hair raising experience. Things have improved beyond recognition. However, I am dismayed by the behaviour of a fair proportion of cyclists. They flaunt traffic regulations, are inconsiderate and rude and have a holier than thou attitude just because they're not in a car. While I don't drive anymore, I still need the use of one occasionally, mostly to transport bulky and heavy equipment. I believe we should treat all other road users with respect and courtesy. If we don't we can't expect to be treated likewise. Not only are those cyclists doing themselves a disservice, they're also tarnishing the reputation of those of us that do ride considerately. We end up all being tarnished by the same brush. Is like to see much greater enforcement of warnings and fines for consistent offenders for all road users that behave badly. That includes drivers using their mobiles as well as cyclists that ride recklessly.

Perhaps that's a little off topic, but I felt it needed saying. Car free days are a great idea and I would like to see more of them. A discussion group of cyclists, pedestrians and motorists might also prove useful and help us understand each others' complaints and needs and thus, hopefully, promote better behaviour and understanding between all road users.

Good idea in principle but please remember people with mobility difficulties who need to get around.  We're not all classified as disabled but can't walk far or cycle.  For people like this we would be trapped indoors while you're having fun in the streets.

Fantastic idea - a great way to make a real statement that our love affair with the car is over.

For my parents ‘ generation the car symbolised freedom and self-expression. They fulfilled their dreams, driving all over Europe, as well as enjoying an easier commute. 

But nowadays driving is more of a nightmare. Motorists are stuck in interminable jams, stressed and frustrated, unfit and overweight. And worst of all they are belching out toxic gases that silently kill tens of thousands of people every year.

Our towns and cities are blighted by incessant traffic. High streets are dying because nobody will walk across dangerous, noisy, smelly roads to reach them.

It’s time to make a bold statement that the era of the car as the default choice is over. Many younger people are turning away from car ownership, but for those who’ve grown up loving cars it may take time.

I absolutely accept that for some the car is essential. I own one myself, for use when necessary. It’s nearly 20 years old, carefully maintained, and I use it once or twice a month. Whenever possible I walk or use public transport. I’m nobody special - many people in London could do what I do. It just takes a little thought and care.

Hopefully this car-free day will make people think and care a little more about the health and well-being of everyone and our city’s future.

So pleased to read erudite comment by (Fred242 | Community Member | 1 hour ago). A permanent reduction in motorised traffic on our roads would be the best option. We would benefit from is a car free month of September rather than one car free day at the very least several days per week. The increased demand may help speed up improvements to the public transport system. 

Car free day: The best new which we've all waited for sooo long.

Just been able to walk in the street with no traffic around and been able to open the windows will be a fantastic experience which I hope will be repeated more often.

A car free day is a great idea, a car free city centre is an even better idea. 

I'll probably walk the dog, in the park, where there are no cars anyway, as usual. Has any thought been given to disabled people who have to rely on vehicles everytime they leave their home it will be because their choice has been removed. I guess they can consider themselves sentenced to another day staying at home then.

All well and good, I commute by bike daily myself. BUT I am getting really fed up with this constant attempt to demonize the car and also the motorbike. The cycle superhighways are appalling, much more dangerous to use than ordinary roads because you are stuck with all the Mamils and the brain dead Borisbikers, at least on the road you are not enclosed in a sort of virtual fight cage with them. Let's have some sensible back road routes- much more pleasant anyway and get rid of all these vanity projects by the Mayor. They only cause huge traffic disruption and resentment by the 85% of road users who will never cycle.

So wheelchair users are barred from London on 22nd September? What about the congestion this will create outside the "car free zone"? Does the pollution there not matter? You keep prattling on about air quality.

The city going car free is not the answer and so I will not be partaking. I believe that the majority of people in the UK, like me, use and depend on cars. The problems that are being attributed to cars will not be solved by getting rid of them. The transport of the future wil be mainly cars, albeit manufactured to reduce some of the problems old cars had such as energy use and emissions and being driven by humans. The attributed problems are much more relevant for such things as big technology, smart phones, tablets, computers and the like. We don't talk about a city going smart phone free?

I like the idea, but overall we need to move much quicker with ideas to help people buy/exchange for electric cars to stop the issue at source.

London is full of little corners of land that a pretty dirty and seemingly abandoned, why not fill then will trees and plants to help clean the air.  

Excellent idea, all designated bicycle routes throughout London should be car free

It's remarkable how many drivers object to any limit to their right to poison people. Even a few hours on a few streets on one single day is too much for them to bear, whatever the benefits to others. I wonder how many deaths it would take to get them to change.

I think this idea is a positive step, even if long overdue, and lacking ambition.. People will see the damage that motor traffic causes. Perhaps it will lead to more action. 

Silly idea and waste of resources required for organising this event.  

I agree with Ben.  It is not only those who qualify for blue badges who are dependent on their cars.  People may also need to use their cars in an emergency, for instance to take a sick child to hospital.  Certain key routes and roads must be kept open.

I would like to see a Cyclists Free day - every day.