fbpx

My name is Rhys, a first time dad blogging about my adventures and experiences of being a parent. [email protected]

Reclaiming the Streets with Car Free Day Cardiff

Everyone is welcome to take part in Cardiff’s biggest car free day ever on May 13th.

A full city centre road closure will be put in place for this event, with more roads closed to cars than for an event at the Principality Stadium. The idea behind the event is to clear the city centre of traffic, so that everyone can enjoy the free activities that will be provided.

The entertainment has now been confirmed and Cardiff will be in for a treat, with live music; acts and entertainment; a climbing wall, BMX stunt riders; a skateboard ramp; a cricket net, a number of exhibits as well as so much more.

All of this entertainment will be close to the HSBC City Ride, a family friendly bicycle ride which is being provided by British Cycling which will be run along closed roads in the city centre. Anyone can take part free of charge – https://www.letsride.co.uk/events/cardiff.

Both Cardiff Bus and New Adventure Travel are offering discounted travel on the day.Cardiff Bus will be offering child rates on all Day-to-Go tickets and New Adventure Travel will be offering child rates on all tickets. Park & Ride in Pentwyn will be also open from 9.30am until 5.30pm and will only cost £2 a car.

nextbike – a world renowned bike hire operator which has been recently set up in Cardiff will have a stall at the event. The first 100 people that sign up to the scheme will receive a free one year subscription, which usually costs £60. Anyone else that signs up to the scheme will receive a free three month trial.

As well as providing a variety of entertainment, the idea behind these schemes is to monitor the improvements to air quality. Clean air has been set out as a priority for the Council and a recent consultation paper has been launched to get the publics’ views on the future of transport in the city.

As part of this agenda to improve air quality in Cardiff, air quality monitoring equipment will be set up in the city centre on May 13th. With the equipment provided by Air Monitors UK, air quality on both Castle Street and Westgate Street will be monitored and the data collected will be compared to the levels of pollutants recorded on a normal Sunday.

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Caro Wild is behind the scheme and is keen to get as many people as possible involved in the event.

“This event is an opportunity to come into Cardiff and enjoy the city with no cars. With the HSBC City ride taking place, entertainment and live acts, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“A variety of live music will be provided, with a brass band; a community choir; jazz music; a covers band as well as a range of entertainment with acts including ‘Stilt bike Trick cycling stunts’; ‘Scooter based Antics’; ‘Strictly Cycling’; ‘Hilarious Hairdressing on Roller Skates’ as well as ‘Victorian Fun from a car free era.’ It is free family entertainment at its best and everyone is welcome.”