Exeter organisations come together to promote Clean Air Day

Exeter organisations are coming together in Princesshay on Clean Air Day (20 June) to promote simple steps everyone can take to help tackle air pollution and the impact it has on our health.

Air pollution affects health from before the very first breath to the very last and transport is by far the largest contributor*. With Devon County Council declaring a climate emergency and Exeter City Council soon to follow, it’s never been more important for all of us to commit to making sustainable changes to how we travel.

The Clean Air Day event runs from 10am to 4pm in Princesshay Square and is being organised by Co Bikes, Exeter’s electric bike hire scheme, who will shortly be launching a hundred new bikes across the city. The bikes are an ideal way to replace short, emissions-heavy car journeys.

Exeter City Futures will also be attending to ask for pledges for their ‘Everyone’s Exeter’ campaign’s ‘Clean Air’ goal and Travel Devon will be on hand to help with journey planning using sustainable transport.

Popping by across the day will be local charity Ride On, who are passionate about getting more people riding more affordable bikes more often, and Exeter Cycling Campaign who are tireless campaigners for a more cycle-friendly city, reducing the dominance of cars.

There will be an opportunity to find out more about how Co Delivery’s cargo bikes can help deliver to local businesses sustainably. Plus, cargo bike owners will be on hand to chat about how they are an eco-friendly alternative to the car for everything from the weekly shop to taking the kids to school.

Helen Scholes, Marketing Manager for Co Bikes, commented “20 June is a day of practical action and awareness raising so we can all breathe cleaner air. Making changes needn’t be hard and, in fact, through rediscovering cycling it can even be fun, improve health and save money at the same time!”

James Geer, Exeter City Futures, added “Recent headlines around air pollution and the linked health concerns, particularly caused by an abundance of cars on our roads, is just one of the big issues that the ‘Everyone’s Exeter’ campaign looks to raise awareness of and inspire action from everyone across Exeter. We are excited to part of Clean Air Day which aligns perfectly with this ambition.”

Biddy Walton, Exeter Cycling Campaign, concluded by saying “We are campaigning for child-friendly clean air for Exeter with a network of safe cycling paths that enable families to easily choose cycling for their everyday journeys.”

Air pollution causes illnesses such as heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight, can affect children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. Clean Air Day is the UK’s biggest air pollution campaign. It is coordinated by environmental change charity Global Action Plan and supported by over 200 health institutions, councils and universities. To find out more, visit cleanairday.org.uk.

*https://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/policy-areas/air-quality/air-pollution-and-transport/