As 2023 comes to a close, we unfortunately look back on a year that has been hugely challenging for local communities and for those seeing social and environmental justice on a national scale. Globally, our world is in turmoil.
Transition teaches us that there are people working on local issues all over the planet, and so while our own efforts can feel small, they can in fact have a much bigger, cumulative impact. With action, comes hope, and so we want to take a moment to celebrate one of the most positive moments of the year.
Earlier in the year, the Merseyside community came together for a huge celebration of the potential for a future with fewer cars. A weeklong series of events culminated with a free, family friendly festival at the Mystery Park in Wavertree on Sunday 24 September, and a led ride through the city centre, finishing at the sPark It parklet at Mann Island. The Leader of Liverpool City Council, Liam Robinson, and the Deputy Lord Mayor Richard Kemp, both lent their voices to the call for a future with safer, healthier and happier streets.
Thanks to Transition Together, we were able to create a short film to celebrate the event, which you can watch below
Ignite Liverpool also hosted a one-off special of their regular quick-fire talks series on Wednesday 20 September, asking people to speak to the theme ‘Merseyside 2030 – Zero Car City?’. With thanks to Paul Marrow, Eric Masaba, Paul F, Abed Pinehas Tangeni, Cath Holland, Matt Tollitt, Phil Ware, Stewart Walsh and Daniel Robinson for taking on this weighty topic. Here is the link to those talks
Plans are already being made for next year’s event, along with calls for a year-long commitment to car-free activities and a pedal-powered stage for the community to use for events.
We welcome anyone who wants to get involved.
From the organisers…
Kirsty Styles, co-chair of the Merseyside Cycling Campaign, says:
“The Mystery event was an opportunity to imagine what Merseyside would look like with fewer cars. For me, it means more fun, more time with friends and more freedom, and the community energy put into this event proved that.
“Today in most countries, it is easier to imagine the end of the world than it is to imagine our lives with fewer car trips. But imagine – and take action – we must. I so look forward to us all working together again, now and in the future, with even more local people, to make sure Merseyside remains a great place to live.”
Elke Weissmann adds:
“I am always impressed by how much Liverpool’s communities work together to create a better future for the city. This was also true for the Car Free Event – everyone mucked in to celebrate cycling, running, walking and wheeling in a family-friendly event. If we want to avoid the 800 premature deaths, linked to air pollution, we need to find alternative ways of getting across the city. That day showed how we can do it. It was great seeing the Council and the community working so closely together.”
As 2023 draws to a close, take a moment to celebrate the good things that we have achieved as a community, and look forward to bigger and better things next year. We’re coming together as a powerful force for positive change. Thank you to everyone who contributed:
Aigburth Community Cycling Club and its volunteer ride leaders, Andrew Stride, Asylum Link Choir, Blaire Gwynne Cake Emporium, Cheery, Childwall Emporium, Cycle Liverpool, Cycle of Life, DoES Liverpool, Eat Up Gud, Energise Cycles, Grandpa’s Kitchen, Greg Falula, GoodGym, Janine Biczonek, John the Great, Johnathan Kopf, Kat Walsh, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Living Streets, LitterClear Volunteer, Love Wavertree, Merseyside CTC, Merseyside Cycling Campaign, Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, ParkRun, Paul, Paul Dobson, Peloton Liverpool, the Penny Lane Wombles, Plastic Tactics, Platts Fields Bike Hub, Rainbow Rebels, Roxy’s Realms, SR Dance Academy, St John’s Ambulance, Sustrans, Talia, Tenderfoot Theatre, Thingamajigs, Transition Liverpool, Tony, Ukulele Club Liverpool, Women on Bikes Liverpool, Zero Carbon Liverpool and all our bike riders, runners, helpers and everyone who joined in.
See you in 2024 x
