Car Free Day - September 22, 2024

Date
Type
Event

September 22 is World Car Free Day! Celebrated since 2000, this international day promotes sustainability, active transportation, and community building.

If you can, choose cycling, walking, e-scooter, or London Transit to commute to your destination.

If you are doing it already, Bravo!

Several events and activities are planned to celebrate Car Free Day this year. View the information below to help plan your day and route, how you can participate in Car Free Day, and what events are planned for Doors Open London, in Wortley Village, along the Thames Valley Parkway, and on Dundas Place.


Free transit fares on September 22, 2024

Using the bus with London Transit Commission is free on Sunday, September 22, 2024, with fares sponsored by DANCOR Construction.

This means that Londoners can travel as often and as far as they wish throughout the day as part of Car Free Day.

If you’re travelling with your bike on Car Free Day, remember that bike racks are equipped on the front of all LTC buses to help you travel with your bike. Learn more about using the bus while with your bike.

Bus routes and schedules


Doors Open London

Doors Open London is a free event presented by the London Heritage Council September 21 and 22, 2024. During the event weekend, you can explore many museums, heritage sites, and organizations around the city free of charge. This year’s theme is Live. Work. Play: In the Forest City.

learn more about Doors Open sites


Community activities along the Thames Valley Parkway (TVP)

Situated along the Thames River, the Thames Valley Parkway is the City’s primary multi-use recreational trail. The current TVP is 45 kilometres in length and is linked to many parks, our core area, and more than 150 kilometres of additional pathways connecting all corners of London. You can view the TVP network through our interactive CityMap.

Come Discover Your Thames Valley Parkway is a community organized celebration of the TVP on Car Free Day. Everyone is invited to journey along the TVP and experience different activities.

Community organizers will be providing refreshments along the TVP:

  • at Greenway Park (on the main branch)
  • at Blackfriars Bridge (on the north branch)
  • at the Forks of the Thames

For more information about the community-led activities and potential volunteer opportunities along the Thames Valley Parkway and in Wortley Village, please contact David Stanford at davidandrewstanford@gmail.com and Marian Robins at mrobins7@uwo.ca.

London Cycle Link group bike ride towards the Forks of the Thames (1 p.m.)

London Cycle Link will be hosting a 7 km Car Free Day bike ride along the Main branch. 

It will depart from the 7 km blue distance marker in Springbank Park (on the Thames Valley Parkway beside the Storybook Gardens parking lot) at 1 p.m. and conclude at the Forks of the Thames in Ivey Park.

In order for London Cycle Link to plan their ride, participants must register online for the bike ride in advance here. This is a requirement for all participants. At present, up to 90 riders can be accommodated.

Activities at the Forks of the Thames

At the Forks of the Thames, a booth run by the Thames Region Ecological Association will have information about cycling safety, bike inspection tips and free helmet checks.

London Bicycle Café will also feature guided tours of the TVP and free E bike test rides.

Children's activities will be offered at both the Thames River Region Ecological Association booth and at the London Bicycle Café, including colouring and free activities.


Enjoy a car free street in Wortley Village

On Sunday, September 22, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. a section of Wortley Road between Elmwood Avenue and Craig Street in Wortley Village will be car free.

The community is organizing walking tours around the Village, martial arts demonstrations, yoga, and children's activities such as story times, games, and chalk drawing.

This event is planned in partnership with London Environmental Network (LEN), and LEN will have a booth at the event about volunteer opportunities and local sustainability initiatives.

Event schedule for World Car Free Day Wortley

Sunday, September 22, 2024

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Chalk drawing - Kids Zone - 153 Wortley Road

Bicycle valet - Village Auto

Tremblett's hot dog stand - Kids Zone in the street - 153 Wortley Road

London Environmental Network information booth - Outside Church Apartments

City of London information booth - Outside Church Apartments

Volunteer booth - Library sidewalk

Music - Old South Village Pub and Sweet Onion Grill

Giant games - Wortley Road

Shops - Wortley Road

Bistros and cafes - Wortley Road

11:00 a.m.

Story time with Veronica - Kids Zone - 153 Wortley Road

1:00 p.m.

Yoga with Cynthia - The lawn at 153 Wortley Road

1:30 p.m.

Walking tour with Benjamin - Meet at the Landon Library steps

2:00 p.m.

Tai Chi / Kung Fu with Carlos - Landon Library, street side

3:00 p.m.

Walking tour with Benjamin - Meet at the Landon Library steps

Story time with Stephanie - Kids Zone - 153 Wortley Road

For more information about the community-led activities planned in Wortley Village, please contact Marian Robins at mrobins7@uwo.ca and David Stanford at davidandrewstanford@gmail.com.


Dundas Place

Celebrate World Car Free Day on Dundas Place with food and fun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on September 22.  

Experience a car-free Dundas Place with an exciting lineup of activities, including:

  • Walking tours: Discover the vibrant and unique features of Dundas Place

  • Live music: Enjoy performances from local artists

  • Dancing: Groove to the rhythm with dance performances

  • Arts and crafts: Get creative with hands-on activities

  • Kids activities: Fun games and entertainment for the little ones

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate community and sustainability while having a blast!


Maps and planning your route

Fanshawe College has helped create a map to help you navigate to different community-led activities taking place on September 22.

View the Car Free Day map of community-led activities

Google Maps or London’s CityMap can help you plan your route and find destinations near your home or workplace.

Map of bike routes and walking trails

Learn more about active and green transportation choices


Get involved with current City initiatives

Mobility Master Plan

The City of London and its partners at London Transit and the Middlesex London Health Unit are developing a long-term plan to prepare London's mobility system for change and growth expected from now, to 2050. ​ A Mobility Master Plan serves as a roadmap for improving transportation and mobility to enhance quality of life, support economic development and create a more sustainable and resilient community. The plan will include various modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, public transit, private vehicles, and emerging forms of mobility like ride-sharing and electric scooters.

Learn more about the Mobility Master Plan

Climate Emergency Action Plan

London’s Climate Emergency Action Plan is a fundamental and required response to the City’s climate emergency declaration. As part of this plan, the City has established new near-term and longer-term goals to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The Climate Emergency Action Plan is a community-wide plan to achieve three main goals: 

  1. Net-zero community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 
  2. Improved resilience to climate change impacts 
  3. Bring everyone along (e.g., individuals, households, businesses, neighbourhoods) 

Learn more about the Climate Emergency Action Plan

Last modified:Wednesday, September 18, 2024