Car Free Day

What is Car Free Day?

Hackney has been at the forefront of Car Free Day for a number of years. Car Free Day encourages and inspires people to use motor vehicles less and take advantage of alternative means of getting around the city.

Discover how you can cut out unnecessary car journeys and see the benefits of switching to sustainable transport.

Experience a day with fewer vehicles to see what communities can look like when pedestrians and cyclists are prioritized.

Car Free Day 2021 celebrations

Wednesday 22 September, 2-5pm, Fleetwood Street, Stoke Newington

The Zero Emissions Network (ZEN) will be hosting a launch party for the new Cargo Bike Share scheme operating in the borough.

The event is open to the public and there are a number of activities taking place including:

Test ride the new Cargo Bike Share bikes

The Cargo Bike Share scheme is launching on Car Free Day. Come to Fleetwood Street to test ride the new electrically assisted cargo bikes and find out more about how you can incorporate them into your travel activities.

Cargo Bike Codes at the ZEN stall

Visit the ZEN stall on Fleetwood Street to learn more about the tri-borough ZEN project and how it helps residents and businesses. Be one of the first 50 people to visit the ZEN stall and pick up a free code to use the new Cargo Bike Share scheme.

Cargo bike market, 2-5pm

Numerous ZEN businesses have already seen the positive impacts of using a cargo bike, and we’ll be showcasing some of these success stories. Meet the sustainable businesses in the ZEN that have embraced an alternative to cars for their travel and delivery needs, pick up some delicious treats, and see the variety of goods that can be transported by bike.

Dr Bike

Bring your own bike along for a free service.

You can share photos of your visit on social media with #CarFreeDay. If you would like any further information, or have any queries regarding Car Free Day, email: zen@hackney.gov.uk.

Previous years

2019

To mark Car Free Day 2019, we’ll be celebrating in 2 ways: Stoke Newington Church Street will be closed to motor vehicles to create car-free space for the public to enjoy 10.30am to 5pm, and play street hosts across the borough will celebrate with a mass play street event.

Stoke Newington Church Street closure

Stoke Newington Church Street will be transformed by removing private motor vehicles to allow residents, businesses and visitors to imagine what the street could look like with fewer vehicles.

How you can get involved in the Stoke Newington Church Street closure

Between 10.30am and 5pm, Church Street will be transformed into a space to shop, sit and play. Participating businesses along Church Street will trade from stalls lining the road and there will be a number of activities for the public to enjoy. This includes yoga and dance sessions, circus skills workshops, woodwork workshops, a play road and giant games, as well as bike tryouts and the opportunity to get your bike fixed for free.

For information on how the closure could impact your travel plans, please read the FAQs.

What is happening on Car Free Day?

Stoke Newington Church Street (from its junction with Albion Road and Stoke Newington High Street,) will be closed to general motor traffic between 6am to 7pm, on 22 September 2019 (except emergency vehicles).

How will the road closure work?

Motor vehicles will be banned from entering Stoke Newington Church Street between 6am and 7pm.

Barriers will be erected at the junctions of Stoke Newington Church Street with Albion Road and Stoke Newington High Street.

All streets adjoining Stoke Newington Church Street, between Albion Road and Stoke Newington High Street, will be closed to traffic at their junction with Stoke Newington Church Street. Signage will be erected at these junctions, informing drivers of the restrictions.Traffic marshals will be present to stop vehicles entering Stoke Newington Church Street.

Which vehicles are not permitted to enter Stoke Newington Church Street?

All powered motor vehicles, including motorbikes and mopeds will not be permitted to enter the street during the times it’s closed to traffic.

Pedal cycles will be permitted to enter the street during these times.

Motor vehicles driven by: residents, businesses, visitors, taxis, tradespeople or deliveries will not be permitted to enter the street during the times it is closed to traffic.

Will I be able to park on Stoke Newington Church Street?

No, the parking bays on Stoke Newington Church Street will be taken out of
operation for Sunday 22 September between 6am and 7pm.

Any vehicles parked in the bays when they are restricted will be removed.

What if I need to make a driving journey on Car Free Day?

If you need to drive, please use alternative routes, avoiding Stoke Newington Church Street.

What about buses?

Bus services using Stoke Newington Church Street will be diverted or terminate early.

We are working with TfL Buses to minimise the impact as much as possible.

Check your travel

Will there be advance warning for drivers to change their plans?

Public notices advising the changes will be displayed on Stoke Newington Church Street.

Advance warning signs for drivers will be displayed on neighbouring roads in the lead up to the event and on the day to inform drivers of the road closure.

Why Sunday 22 September?

22 September is International Car Free Day.

Support for International Car Free Day is part of our wider objectives to improve the quality of the public realm, tackle poor air quality, and be a model for sustainable urban living in London.

The Council was recently awarded £500k to promote walking and cycling and restrict polluting traffic in Stoke Newington.

Car Free Day is an opportunity to reimagine what Stoke Newington Church Street could be like with fewer vehicles and allows people to see how removing vehicles could improve the environment for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

If you would like any further information, or have any queries regarding Car Free Day email: movegreener@hackney.gov.uk

Hackney’s mass play street event

Hackney was the first council in London to introduce official play streets and there are more than 60 play streets and estates operating in the borough.

The Council and Hackney Play Streets are facilitating a mass play street event which will take place on Sunday 22 September to mark Car Free Day 2019. Existing and prospective hosts were invited to host a play street or estate on Car Free Day.

Applications for both existing and new hosts are now closed and we are very pleased to have over a dozen streets and estates signed up. For more information on our mass play street event, visit Hackney Play.

How you can get involved in play streets

The deadline for existing and new hosts to host a play street or estate on Car Free Day has now passed.

If you’re interested in hosting a regular play street or estate, you can sign up at any time of year. For more information on the application process, please visit our play streets page.

Find out more

Read our press release about Car Free Day in Hackney.

This project was made possible by the Healthy Streets Everyday project, which is funded by the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund.

Page updated on: 17 September 2021