Car-Free Day
September 22nd, 2024, was national Car-Free Day. To become a car-free workplace may be thought of as a far-fetched idea by many businesses. However, there are options to overcome these difficulties which can benefit both the company and the environment. This campaign provides a great opportunity to reimagine the journey to work.
Emissions from domestic transport outweighs many other sector’s contribution. So any reduction is a positive one!

Examples of alternative commuting methods include:
Bike2work scheme
Commuting on a bike is a great way to be car-free and be environmentally friendly. It also has financial and social benefits too. Bike2work scheme is a government-approved cycle to work scheme offering benefits to employers and to employees:
- Helps your employees save up to 48.25% on a new bike.
- Save up to 15.05% on employer NI contributions.
- Reduction of carbon footprint
- Improve your employees’ health, fitness and energy.
- Attract and retain great talent.
Learn more at https://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/
Public transport
Encouragement in the use public transport for commuting and for business travel is a great way to be car-free. There are ways in which a business can encourage this and thus benefit the organisation.
- Offer discounted tickets or incentives to encourage employees to use more sustainable travel.
- Reduces need for parking at facilities.
- Reduction of carbon footprint.
- Saves money on fuel, parking and vehicle maintenance.
- Public transport is safer than driving with less traffic-related injuries and deaths.
Carpooling
Whilst this is not quite car-free, it is the use of fewer cars. This has similar benefits to public transport but it:
- Can improve social interaction with employees, which could strengthen teams.
- Can reduces stress from commuting.
- Unlike public transport there is no time restraints.
Working from home
Working from home has become a well-used practice over recent years. This has allowed it to be a viable option from some businesses to consider when reducing carbon emissions and being car-free.
- Reduce costs on utilities, office space & furniture.
- Lower employee turnover as reduces employee stress & less likely to “burn out”.
- More flexible working hours as no time needed for commuting and work can be accessed at any time.
- Fewer staff absences due to sickness, as there is the ability to have fewer physical interactions with other employees.
- Importantly reduces personal and the business’s carbon footprint.
- Additionally, there is a work from home tax relief. Although this is only relevant for those who’s:
- Job requires you to live far away from your office
- Employer does not have an office
- Learn more at https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

We would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this topic. Also, if you have implemented any car-free practices into your business’ operations.