Car-free walking was created to encourage walkers to use public transport rather than using cars to reach the start of a walk. This is to reduce the number of cars in the countryside, particularly in National Parks, which can cause congestion and inappropriate parking. It is also to support bus and train services in rural areas. Encouraging people not to use their cars is also one of the key aspects of efforts to combat climate change caused through greenhouse gas emissions.
Benefits
Car-free walking has environmental benefits, because it encourages people not to use a car and provides information on how to do this. It also supports public transport in rural areas. The benefits for the walker include the opportunity to walk linear routes that start and finish in different places and the chance to have a drink at the end of the walk without then having to drive. Many of the walking routes suggest a pub at the end of the walk.
Supporters
Many organisations encourage their members to use public transport when walking. Prominent supporters of this approach include:
is an internet-based project to collect car-free walking routes from around the UK. People can find car-free walks throughout the UK or add their own walks. Car Free Walks is part of the growing car-free movementaround the world. It has won a number of environmentally-themed awards. The website was created in September 2007 by a group of keen walkers based in Brighton, UK and features walks in England, Scotland and Wales as well as a news- and blog-section. Walks on the site can be accessed free of charge, including GPX-downloads and printer-friendly versions of each walk. Site-visitors can get up to date information about public transport to and from the walk as the website links to the Transport Direct website. Site-Visitors can submit their own walks via a walk-editor and participate in a quartly prize-draw.
Regional websites
There are many websites describing walks in a particular region or from a particular railway line. These include:
There are several books of car-free walking routes.
Car Free Cumbria: Walking the County Using Lake Steamers, Local Buses and Trains, A John Gilham green guide, by Jon Sparks, John Gillham, Ronald Turnbull
Walks in the Country Near London, Globetrotter Walking Guides, by Christopher Somerville
55 555 walks, Yan Press, by Robert Swain - routes accessible by the 555 bus route from Lancaster to Kendal
