Countdown continues to In Town Without My Car Day

09 September 2019

A zip wire, Aberdeen’s very own carpool karaoke and the chance to win a £250 bike store voucher are just a few of the fun interactive activities to be found in the city when In Town Without My Car Day returns.

Taking place on Union Street and Belmont Street from 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 15 September, the event features free, family-friendly activities and information stalls.

Skyfall, the first mobile zipwire ride of its kind in the UK, will offer the chance to get a different perspective on the city centre and a Co-Wheels car will be on hand for carpool karaoke. There will also be bike stunt shows, a climbing wall, bike doctor sessions and many more free family activities on offer.

The day’s popular Treasure Hunt is bigger and better, offering the chance to find the hidden items in shop windows within the In Town Without My Car Day event space to win a free ice cream – and you can enter the prize draw for a chance to win £250 worth of bike store vouchers.

Free Park and Ride return bus travel will be available to everyone attending the event, valid on 15 September for travel on the Park and Ride services from Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire sites to Aberdeen city centre. Vouchers should be downloaded in advance. More information can be found on the website link below.

Since 2002 European Mobility Week has sought to influence mobility and urban transport issues, as well as improve health and quality of life for everyone by exploring solutions to urban challenges, such as air pollution.

This year’s theme is “Walk With Us” and is focusing on safe walking and cycling and the ways that keeping active can have a benefit on our health, environment and bank balances.

The main message of the day will not be missed with GetAbout, Co-Wheels, Air Quality officers, and Home Energy Scotland on hand to provide advice on travelling more sustainably and encouraging alternative transport solutions.

In Town Without My Car Day is one of many projects in the city funded by the Scottish Government’s Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme and is enabled by Aberdeen’s involvement in the Civitas Portis project. Civitas Portis is a European project that aims to implement innovative, active and sustainable transport measures in participating cities.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “By working together we can all play our part in promoting sustainable living and ‘In Town Without My Car Day’ celebrates the different ways we can achieve this.

“By adopting sustainable and active modes of transport including cycling, walking, public transport and responsible car use we can all help to reduce the amount of traffic in the city and the impact it has on our local environment. It’s also a great way to incorporate exercise into our daily lives, bringing health benefits for all.”

David Liston, Managing Director of Stagecoach North Scotland, said: "We are delighted to be supporting In Town Without My Car Day again this year with free travel on our Park and Ride services for registered attendees. We really appreciate the support from Aberdeen City Council and the other partners to promote sustainable travel options in Aberdeen and will look forward to welcoming old and new faces on board our services getting to this fantastic family event."

David Phillips, Operations Director of First Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to support In Town Without My Car Day in the city in partnership with the city council. We are committed to improving air quality in the city and by working in partnership with the council and other local authorities. We are making great strides on this as we move towards the next phase in the city’s hydrogen programme.

“This event is aimed at encouraging Aberdeen’s citizens to see for themselves how they can contribute to reducing car use which will improve air quality, reduce congestion, and bring health benefits to everyone. Around 65% of car journeys in Scotland are less than 3.1 miles and many of these short trips are avoidable. We would ask people to leave their car at home for the day and give the bus a chance.”

In Town Without My Car Day and European Mobility week are supported by the GetAbout partnership which includes Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council as well as NESTRANS, NHS, Energy Saving Trust, RGU, University of Aberdeen and NESCOL, and aims to promote sustainable transport in the north-east of Scotland.

In Town Without My Car Day is free to attend and further Information can be found at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ITWMCD . For more information about European Mobility Week visit www.getabout.org.uk .