Our new Lambeth Big Shift active travel programme brings together a number of initiatives to help residents, businesses and schools choose cleaner and healthier ways of getting around the borough, such as walking, cycling and public transport.
There’s something for everyone. Find out how you can get involved in the Big Shift today and check back here for more information about up-and-coming projects.
Stay on top of the latest Big Shift news and opportunities by signing up for our monthly climate change, clean transport and sustainability newsletter.
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Community Parklet Scheme
The Community Parklet Scheme is now open.
A parklet is an old parking space that has been transformed into something for people to enjoy. They are great for bringing communities together, and providing some much-needed local green space.
Lambeth residents will have the opportunity to become a parklet keeper and create a parklet in partnership with Lambeth Council. Parklet keepers will maintain and care for the parklet to make sure that they are enjoyed by all.
Learn about the Community Parklet Scheme
Business Parklet Scheme
Imagine turning an ordinary parking space into a vibrant hub that attracts customers, elevates your brand and adds a touch of greenery to your surroundings. The Business Parklets scheme can make this happen.
Businesses, private organisations, charities, schools and third sector can now apply for a parklet outside of their premises.
Parklets are not just spaces; they’re business game-changers. These three-sided structures, complete with a raised deck, transform a regular parking spot into a dynamic, versatile area.
Find out more information about the Business Parklet Scheme
Car free days
We have been creating places for people by temporarily closing streets to traffic and opening them up for activities.
Our 2023 Car Free Days were:
- Two days of fun, music and games at Atlantic Road in partnership with the Brixton BID
- A day of community feedback on rain gardens at Hannen Road in partnership with Station to Station Bid, A Small Studio and the University of Greenwich
- 4 weekends of socialising, boosting businesses and community at Voltaire Road in partnership with Clapham BID
If you are interested in hosting a Big Shift Car Free Day, download the Car Free Days handout (PDF 734KB).
OurBike
If you live or work in Lambeth, you can hire an e-cargo OurBike from 7 locations across the borough.
Local resident? Leave your car at home and use OurBike for big shops or to take your kids to school or the park.
Run a business? Ditch your van and combine your delivery round with enjoying time outside.
Lambeth Council is giving all Lambeth residents and businesses free OurBike minutes for the rest of April and all of May. This is in addition to the council subsidising the hourly rate to keep it at £3 per hour.
How it works:
- Any Lambeth resident who signs up to the OurBike app will receive 60 minutes free.
- Any Lambeth business that signs up to the OurBike app will receive 180 minutes free.
- Register on the OurBike app to make reservations for your chosen bike.
- The app provides more information on how to use the bikes.
Download the OurBike app on the Google Play store or on the App Store.
Bike markets
Treat yourself to an affordable reconditioned bike, or donate a bike you no longer need at a bike market.
Markets are listed in our events section, search 'bike markets'.
Dr Bike
Get top tips on bike maintenance and have your bike fixed for free. Drop into one of our many Dr Bike sessions.
Learn to fix your bike yourself. Sign up to our cheap Basic Bike Maintenance Class.
Community Influencers – changing the way we travel
Applications for the Community Influencer programme are closed.
We have selected 30 successful applicants who have been given their free bikes and will soon be taking to the streets with their new wheels.
Keep an eye out on the Council's social media accounts to follow along with their journeys.
The influencers will also be joining us at various active travel events and will be able to offer advice for beginners.
Details of events will be posted to the Council's social media accounts as they come up.
Bike the borough
The Big Shift and Cycle Confident held a mass bike ride with students from six primary schools in July 2023. The students cycled across the borough between Clapham Common and Brockwell Park.
The aim was to encourage children to take up cycling and show off their Bikeability skills. The ride ended with a picnic in the park for all of the children to celebrate their achievements. Bike the Borough 2024 is currently being planned for summer next year.
We hope it will be even bigger! You can check out the Bike the Borough 2023 video below:
Dockless bikes and scooters
We’re shifting the balance of parking bays in Lambeth so there will be more room for cycle and scooter parking, greenery and places to rest. Our Kerbside Strategy explains how we can all contribute to transforming the borough’s kerbside – the area in between the road and the pavement.
Look out for new e-scooter and dockless parking bays in your neighbourhood this spring.
Your Streets Your Way
Your Streets Your Way gives people who live, work or travel through the borough, the opportunity to transform one of 10 locations into:
- a space to spend more time in
- connect with each other
- make more attractive to walk, wheel or cycle through.
Your Streets Your Way 2023
The Your Streets Your Way 2023 winners, runners up and judges choices have been announced.
View Your Streets Your Way 2023 results
Your Street Your Way 2021
When the initiative was launched, 8 locations were reimagined by our competition winners. Five of the transformations have now been completed and the last 3 are in development. See the progress of the sites from Your Streets Your Way 2021 (PDF 6.4MB).