98% of participants in car free challenge plan on reducing their car use permanently
New data from a survey conducted by climate charity Possible has found that out of over 200 of the 1000 participants, 98% are planning on continuing to reduce their car use going forward.
The survey also asked why participants took part. The top three reasons were wanting to reduce their carbon emissions (81%), concerns over air pollution (72%), and wanting to travel in a more active way for the benefit of personal health (64%).
Survey respondents reported how much their car use was reduced. In total, 84.1% used their car less. Specifically, 31.1% said they used their cars a little less than usual, 22.3% said they used their cars a lot less, 13.1% said they used their car just once, and 18.1% said they didn’t use their car at all.
Going Car Free 2022 included challenges like replacing weekly grocery shop, commute or school with a low-carbon transport alternative, going car free for an entire week or month, or simply getting a friend or neighbour to take part, will help participants tailor their experience while still providing them with a valuable challenge that can help them reevaluate their relationship with private cars.
With transport emissions making up 27% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions - and cars accounting for over half of this total - we need to cut car use in order to keep ourselves in line with UK targets. Past studies have found that one of the most impactful actions an individual can take to reduce their climate impact is living car free.
Those taking part had the chance to win prizes from Brompton, Cycle Chic, Cycle Spirit Joe’s Tea Co and Kabloom (the recipients of which will be announced soon), received discount codes from Voi Technology, Co-Wheels, Enterprise Car Club, Cycle Chic, Cycle Spirit, Carry Me Bikes and Peddle My Wheels, and also got free membership to Green Squirrel’s online community The Something Club.
Sandra Green, car free Birmingham campaigner at climate charity Possible, said:
“It’s often said that once you’ve tasted car-free life, you won’t want to go back. These results show, resoundingly, that this is true. I hope that more and more people take the dive challenge themselves and cut their car use to help reduce pollution in our cities, make streets happier and healthier and protect the climate.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For media enquiries and further information please contact press@wearepossible.org or 07806431577.
Sandra Green, car free Birmingham campaigner and Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities, at climate charity Possible are available for comment. Please contact press@wearepossible.org for more information.
There are some participants also available for comment. Please contact press@wearepossible.org for more information.
Possible is a UK-based charity that brings people together to take positive, practical action on climate change. Combining individual and local actions with larger systemic change, we connect people with each other, and communities with ways to address the climate crisis. wearepossible.org.