Islington to host major celebration of active travel this Sunday

Thanks to the introduction of low-traffic neighbourhoods, School Streets, cycleways, and improved pavements, it’s never been easier to walk, cycle, and wheel in Islington.  

So, to mark World Car Free Day this Sunday, the “Saddle and Sole” festival of walking and cycling will be taking place on Highbury Fields, from 12pm to 6pm. The event – which has inclusivity at its heart – includes a range of activities for people of all ages, including all-ability cycling, head-to-head static bike challenges, guided walks and cycles through the borough, and pop-up stalls from local shops.

As part of the celebration of World Car Free Day, the council has been providing grants of up to £5,000 for businesses, residents, and community groups to run their own events and activities to encourage people to walk, cycle, and wheel. This initiative – which has been funded through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund – highlights again the council’s commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive economy. 

Some neighbours have also come together to successfully apply to transform their roads into “Play Streets” – where traffic is temporarily shut off to all but essential motor vehicle traffic to allow space for walking, cycling, wheeling, and play – for several hours on Sunday.  

The series of events is all part of the council’s efforts to create a greener, healthier borough for all, and to provide local people with the support and encouragement to embrace the huge benefits of physical activity. Recently, Islington was recognised for a fourth successive year as the top-inner London borough for “healthy streets”, in recognition of the enormous progress that’s been made to improve air quality and create more welcoming streets for walking, cycling, and wheeling.  

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport said: “In recent years, we’ve seen more people than ever walking, cycling, and wheeling in our borough, which helps to improve air quality, improve wellbeing, and bring people together.  

“Here in Islington, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of greener, healthier streets – including residents, community groups and our fantastic local businesses. That’s why the series of events we’re hosting to mark World Car Free Day this Sunday are open to absolutely everyone – whatever your age, background, or ability.  

“All the events we’re running this Sunday are completely free, and there’s no need to sign-up in advance – so do get involved!”

Activities that will take place on Highbury Fields as part of Saddle and Sole include:  

• All ability cycling with the Pedal Power Cycling Club  
• Pop-up stalls from local shops  
• Free bike checks with Dr Bike  
• Family fun activities including face painting  
• Head-to-head static bike challenges, enclosed “bubble” bikes, and boom box bikes, where your pedalling helps power the music  
• Second hand bike market  
• Guided bike rides around the borough – book your place: islington.coordinate.cloud/courses/led-rides  
• Guided walks – sign up on the day  
• Free bike security marking  
• Crazy bikes  
• And more!  

In addition, Fieldway Crescent (10am to 12pm) and Highbury Terrace (2pm and 5pm) will both be playing host to Play Streets, while Offord Road will also be closed to traffic between 2pm and 5pm to make space for walking, cycling and wheeling, and to give space for local businesses to showcase themselves.  

Islington Council is working with Islington Clean Air Parents to improve Highbury Crescent, the strip of road between the two sections of Highbury Fields which is closed to traffic. Between 10.30am and 1pm, the latest proposals for making this road a better, more welcoming environment for all will be on display. 

More information about the amazing range of active travel opportunities available in Islington for all can be found on the council’s website.