To celebrate World Car Free Day, Islington Council’s Saddle and Sole festival is returning this Sunday at Highbury Fields to encourage active travel.
The annual free celebration aims to get people walking, cycling, and wheeling to work or for leisure, which leads to numerous physical and mental health benefits.
There’s a big push to get people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities involved in active travel through a variety of events.
Pedal Power Cycling Club, who celebrated their 20th birthday last Saturday, really epitomises the spirit of the festival.
Founder Jo Roach believes the festival produces a “positive, can-do attitude” towards active travel.
She thinks it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness for all-ability cycling, as many people “don’t even know cycles like the Velo,” a bike designed to allow wheelchair users to enjoy the sensation of cycling.
The club’s events develop inclusivity, a message ‘at the heart’ of the council’s goals.
Roach highlighted the desire for participation all year, mentioning their regular “Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday sessions at Finsbury Park Athletics track,” as well as other locations in the borough.
The club is always looking for volunteers and instructors, so visit their website for more details.
Free bike checks are available from professional mechanics at Dr Bike, who can adjust any of your ‘wheels, brakes, gears, tire pressures, lights, racks, pedals, and saddles.’
You can also support local businesses, as local pop-up stalls will be on site.
Face painting, head-to-head static bike races, and boom-box bikes, where pedalling fast powers the tunes, add a fun element to the day.
On top of all that, there is a second-hand bike market, guided walks, and a guided bike ride to take advantage of.
Sole and Saddle coincides perfectly with World Car Free Day, created to “re-imagine our streets,” but this isn’t the only event with this message.
The council, in partnership with the Islington Clean Air Parents campaign, is closing Fieldway Crescent from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Highbury Terrace and Offord Road from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The roads will host a Play Street event, giving an opportunity for residents to use the increased public space however they please.
Clean Air Parents aim to reduce air pollution to “below EU legal limits for all children across the borough,” and closures like this can certainly inspire car-free lifestyles.
All of this is spearheaded by Cllr Rowena Champion’s work for the council as Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport. Events like this increasing participation in active travel “improves air quality, improves wellbeing, and brings people together,” said Champion.
Champion stressed how “all the events we’re running are completely free, and there’s no need to sign up in advance—so do get involved!”
Visit https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/active-travel for more information.
Image by Malc McDonald – free to use with credit
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