World Car Free Day: Celebrating greener, healthier streets
Today we’re joining partners and communities across London to mark World Car Free Day (22 September) — a moment to reimagine our streets as places for people. It’s a chance to slow down, move differently and experience our city in ways that are cleaner, safer and more connected. Whether you’re walking, cycling, rolling or taking public transport, today is an invitation to choose movement that supports both people and planet.
Yesterday, Oxford Street transformed into a vibrant, community-led space filled with music, food and creativity — showing what’s possible when our streets prioritise joy and belonging.
At the Foundation for Future London, we champion World Car Free Day because sustainable travel and greener neighbourhoods are vital to long-term community wellbeing. When our streets are accessible, healthy and full of life, we all benefit — from better air quality to improved physical and mental health.
East London offers incredible opportunities to enjoy nature right on our doorstep. Wander through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, explore the canals and marshes across Hackney and Waltham Forest, or unwind in Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets. These spaces remind us that nature-led regeneration strengthens community resilience.
Car-free initiatives also have a clear environmental impact: Trainline reports that previous car-free days in Paris and London led to reductions in air pollution of 40% and 89%. These are powerful reminders of what collective action can achieve.
Health and wellbeing sit at the heart of thriving communities. Whether you’re walking, running, skating or playing outside with friends and family, active lifestyles belong to all of us — at every age.
More people than ever are ready to make the shift.
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56% of people in the UK want to walk or cycle more
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50% want to choose public transport more often (Trainline)
And if cycling is calling you, it’s also four times more efficient as exercise than walking, the Independent reports — though your 10,000 steps still count just as much.
If you live, work or play in Newham, the Newham Better Points app is a brilliant way to build active habits and earn rewards along the way. We’re proud to support the programme through the Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, funded by Westfield Stratford City.
For anyone imagining how to bring more green and social spaces into local streets, this parklet guide is a great starting point. Inspired by Hackney resident Brenda Puech and many other community makers, it offers practical steps for turning kerbs into shared places.
Across Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, it’s inspiring to see more residents walking, cycling and reclaiming their streets — supported by local councils, groups and grassroots organisations.
Learn more