In Town, Without My Car! - checklist

Checklist: How to participate in the In Town, Without My Car! day

The following checklist provides a useful starting point and framework for planning a local event.

Early preparation

• Start planning as early as possible - ideally at least three months ahead
• Browse though this and the European websites to get an overall picture of the campaign features and objectives
• Make contact with the national co-ordinator (Richard Evans)
• Join the In Town, Without My Car! itwmc-uk egroup
• Consider whether you want to participate in the European Mobility Week (16-22 September)

Generating ideas

• Get started: brainstorm between a few enthusiastic partners e.g. key local authority officers, elected members and local community groups, float all ideas, however wacky they may seem!
• Find community champions to work with, e.g. local traders, residents' groups, cycle campaign groups, voluntary organisations etc.
• Build a good network of contacts and share the workload
• Meet up to consider a list of several potential streets for the restricted zone, discuss merits and downsides of each in turn between council, community groups and affected parties.

Event planning

European Mobility Week criteria for participating town/city

• A week long of activities, taking in account the focal theme (2005 = clever commuting)
• Implementation of at least one permanent measure
• Organise the In Town, Without My Car! day

In Town, Without My Car! criteria for participating town/city

• Close at least one street to motor traffic on the 22nd of September
• Launch the permanent measure
• See the European Charter for full details on the above criteria
• Plan positive use of the restricted space, e.g. arts and crafts markets, council display, cycle training, restaurants and cafés extending out onto the pavements, street theatre etc. A strong emphasis on FUN is essential!
• Use these campaigns to launch new permanent schemes, e.g. walking bus, Home Zone, new town centre pedestrianisation, new cycle route or parking facility, lower speed limits etc.
• Work with local public transport providers, e.g. posters on bus backs, prizes, special fares, enhanced services
• Run a safe event: see example risk assessment and notes for briefing stewards (links at bottom of page)
• Check requirements for public liability insurance and event licences

Involve and consult

• The importance of wide and full consultation cannot be too highly stressed - especially with all those who will be directly affected by the plans (people who live or work in the streets being considered)
• Be prepared to modify plans in the light of feedback from the consultation process
• Look out for potential project partners among those sending in constructive feedback
• Approach local businesses for sponsorship, e.g. for road signs, street theatre events
• Consider whether to approach the local MP or MEP for support
• Try to win local all-party support.

Publicity

• Register your events on-line at http://www.22september.org/
• Free t-shirts are available, while stocks last, for event organisers or registered events to give to road stewards
• Once registration is complete, local events will be listed on the European website
• Good local publicity will be essential, using all available means e.g. poster sites and council publications
• Keep the local press informed of your plans as they develop, think about inviting a reporter to the planning meetings
• Use the http://www.22september.org/ European In Town, Without My Car! website for all the downloads you need (logos, posters, etc.)
• Consider whether a local celebrity would be prepared to "front" your day - this always increases media interest in the event.

Monitoring

• Organise an opinion poll at your local In Town, Without My Car! event - guidelines and template
• Think about monitoring traffic flows, noise levels and air pollution.

Final preparations

• Ensure adequate signposting of alternative routes for motorists and bus passengers
• Leaflets, banners, posters etc. are useful to explain the event's objectives to passers-by on the day
• Ensure event stewards are adequately briefed: see notes for briefing stewards on this website
• In Town, Without My Car! T-shirts for road stewards are useful and highly visible "badges" available free while stocks last for the first 50 events registered
• Encourage traders to make arrangements for deliveries on a different day where possible, and consider using cycle trailers and electric vehicles for help with any essential deliveries inside the car-free zone
• Think about commissioning a video-film of your events, which may be arranged at little cost through the media / film studies unit at a local college.