The way we choose to travel can have a big impact on the environment. Motor vehicles create traffic noise and congestion. The use of fossil fuel in our cars not only contributes to climate change, but also impacts local air quality. It does this by creating dangerous levels of toxins in the air we all breathe.
There are benefits to switching journeys to more sustainable transportation. This includes reduced travel costs and a more active and healthier lifestyle.
There are several sustainable, greener ways to travel. These include:
- walking
- cycling
- public transport
- joining a car club or shared car service
- using a low emission vehicle
Walking
If you can, walking keeps you healthy, saves you money and it’s good for the environment. Here are some useful links to help you choose walking, especially for shorter travel distances.
Walkit
walkit.com helps you to plan your route and work out how many calories you’re burning.
Legible London Scheme
TfL’s legible London scheme helps you find your way with clear and intuitive signage.
Living Streets
Join a Living Streets Local Group. Here you can:
- meet your neighbours
- become a more active member of your community
- campaign to make your streets safer and more enjoyable for environmentally conscious pedestrians
Living Streets provides more information on easy walking to school.
Pedestrian skills training
Pedestrian skills training is offered to primary school children in Camden, and all schools are encouraged to join Travel for Life.
Healthy School Streets
Suggest a healthier street for your local school. The Healthy School Streets programme aims to address problems of:
- parking traffic and congestion
- road safety
- air quality
It does this restricting traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times.
Tell us if you think your school should be considered for a Healthy School Street by contacting Healthy.School.Streets@Camden.gov.uk.
Cycling
Cycling is a fantastic way to save money, keep fit and to do your bit for the environment. Travelling by bike is a great way to explore the city, or to get to work or school. Here are some useful links to help you choose cycling.
Borrow a Bicycle
The Camden 'Borrow a Bicycle' scheme allows you to borrow a folding Brompton bike for 4 weeks for free.
Try Before you Bike with Pedal my Wheels
You can try out a cargo or standard bike with the ‘Try Before you Bike’ scheme for just a few pounds a month. It is available for people living, working or studying in Camden. This offer includes a personalised cycle training session.
Wheels4Me
Wheels4Me offer accessible cycle loans, for one-month loans of non-standard bikes.
Cycle skills and bike maintenance courses
Free Cycle skills and bike maintenance courses are available to anyone who lives, works or studies in Camden.
Our Bike
Our Bike is an app-based community scheme that allows residents and businesses to hire cargo bikes at very cheap hourly rates.
Cycle parking
If you’re worried about where you would store a bike, you can apply for a place in one of the secure cycle parking facilities across the borough. You can also request a new bike storage hangar near you.
Dockless bike hire
Lime and Forest operate dockless bike hire from over 200 designated bays across the borough. Special offers for users in Camden can be found on the Lime or Forest apps.
Santander cycles
Santander cycles are docked hire bikes which can be rented from many locations across London and Camden.
Pedal Your Parcel
Pedal Your Parcel is for Camden businesses to trial using cargo bikes instead of vans for their business deliveries or servicing. It includes a free consultancy service to find the right product match for each business, and discounts for purchase.
You can visit our cycling pages for more information on cycling as a greener way of travel.
Public transport
Public transport is a great option around Camden. Visit TFL to find out more about the bus, tube and train routes closest to you.
Joining a car club or shared car service
If you have a resident or business parking permit and are intending to cancel it, you may be eligible for special discounts and offers from our car club providers via the Permit2CarClub Scheme.
TfL support offers
TfL are offering various deals which can help you to save money and use greener, cleaner forms of transport. Find out more on the TfL website.
Be an eco-driver
If you do need to use a car, you can still ensure you keep emissions to a minimum by using a low emission vehicle. Find out more about using a low emission vehicle.