This week, on Thursday 17 June, Leeds will celebrate Clean Air Day. Led by Global Action Plan, Clean Air Day raises awareness of air pollution and highlights the easy actions we can all do to improve air quality and protect the environment.

Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. Poor air quality causes lung disease, heart disease and has a huge impact on children’s lung development. That’s why Clean Air Day 2021 focuses on protecting our children’s health.

Leeds City Council is committed to reducing air pollution in Leeds. As transport is one of the biggest sources of air pollution, we have been working on a number of projects to promote sustainable travel around our city.

Here are three easy ways you can help improve air quality in Leeds.

1. Cycle to work

After a year of lockdown and working from home, many of us will soon return to the office. This is a great opportunity to shake up your daily commute. Cycling to work and leaving your car at home can help reduce air pollution and protect our health.

Leeds City Council is running BikeRegister pop-ups throughout the city, to help you protect your bike from theft. Additionally, our new cycle lanes, including the East Leeds Orbital Route, make it easier than ever to commute by bike. Try cycling to work once a week!

2. Walk to school

Walking to school with your family protects children and the local community from toxic air. That’s why we’re working with schools to promote safe, sustainable travel. Our School Streets project has restricted traffic around schools, reducing air pollution and congestion at the school gates.

Can you walk to school with your children on Clean Air Day?

3. Go electric for local deliveries

We’re offering local businesses free trials of e-cargo bikes, providing sustainable and cost-efficient options for deliveries in Leeds.

Our e-cargo bikes are easy to use and have a load capacity of up to 100kg. With assisted cycling, they’re a great option for sustainable local deliveries and transporting cargo around Leeds. Click here to apply for the e-cargo bike trial scheme.

We’ll be showcasing our e-cargo bikes and highlighting our sustainable transport projects on Clean Air Day. Visit us at the newly pedestrianised Cookridge Street for more information about any of our projects, to get your bike registered AND for the chance to win a cycling jersey signed by Olympic champion and Leeds Active Travel Ambassador, Alistair Brownlee!

Join us on Thursday 17 June, 9am-4pm on Cookridge Street