News / Car Free Day tomorrow
A SHETLAND Islands Council official has pledged to cycle and take the bus to work on Thursday to do his bit in “taking the heat off the planet”.
Peter Mogridge is the council official responsible for promoting a car-free day in Shetland this week.
He hopes that as many islanders as possible will follow suit, leaving their cars on the driveway and cycle, walk or use public transport instead.
Mogrigde said leaving the car behind is not just good for the environment, but also healthy.
“The nights are drawing in and the weather is starting to turn, so cycling, walking and waiting at bus stops rapidly lose their appeal when compared to the comfort of our own cars,” he said.
“However, the health benefits we get from physical activity do not stop just because of the season – nor do the benefits to the global climate of leaving the car at home and taking the bus.
“I’ll be cycling and taking the bus to get to work from home on the Westside next Thursday; if you can, why not try going car free and do both yourself and your environment some good?
“Even if it’s just once a week, we could all feel the benefit.”
Thursday’s car free day is the culmination of the European mobility week, which still runs until 22 September.
However, car-free days are marked around the world and many big cities, like Bogota and Jakarta, actually close their central roads to motor vehicles for a day and fill them with walking and cycling events.
Mogridge reminded islanders that local bus timetables are available online at www.zettrans.org.uk/bus/BusTimetables.asp and could be downloaded as an app here: http://travel.shetland.org/desktop_homepage.php
The travel app works offline once downloaded, so people can use it without needing a signal.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
