Three things you can do right now to prepare for car-free living

1. Weigh up different transport options to plan your journey

When planning your journey you should think about your personal transport needs and the options available to you. It is good to make sure that you are also comfortable during your journey and this means different things for different transport modes. Walking may require decent trainers whereas if you use your bike you may want to consider giving it a test run to ensure it is all in safe working order. Whatever mode of transport you choose, have a quick think on how to make it as safe and comfortable as possible.

When planning your journey to fit your needs it’s important to think about your wellbeing too. Many drivers who have taken on a car free trial with us before said that walking and cycling made them feel more liberated and at peace, whereas public transport was seen as a good way to socialise with friends or catch up on reading a book, or scroll through social media. So have a think about what it is you’d like to get from your journey.

If you want to minimise your carbon footprint, you might also find a transport hierarchy useful in making your travel decisions. The transport hierarchy shows the transport options with the lowest environmental impact at the top and the most polluting at the bottom. So when thinking of your transport needs you should think about how high you can go up the hierarchy whilst still fulfilling your needs. In this way you can choose the most environmentally friendly route.

2. Get appy!

There are many useful apps to help you plan your journey. We have listed a few below. However there may be some more apps that are more specific to your city. In particular most bus operators for example First Bus and Arriva have the cheapest tickets available on their respective apps (excluding London).

3. Share your goals

Sometimes we need accountability for our actions. Research suggests that sharing your goals means you're more likely to achieve it. Consider going public with your car free month to further push you to make the most of it. Better still, why not share your goals on social media? Not only could this help you achieve your goals but you also spread the word about the challenge, to get more people onboard and help us change attitudes and behaviours around transport. Even if you decide not to share your goals on social media, just a quiet word with your friend or colleague, or partner, simply by putting it out there, you’re cementing your commitment.

Remember - we’re here to help

If you have any questions or need advice, we’re here to support you every step, walk, and wheel of the way! 

Just email us on hello@wearepossible.org