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 a repurposed 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.
Any applications received currently will be added to the wait list for phase 4.
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 2024 Car Free Days were:
- One day of community planting and Bike Markets at Atlantic Road in partnership with the Brixton BID
- 24 days on Lower Marsh including a Euros Football screening, Olympic Skateboarding screening and film screenings.
- 15 weekends of socialising, boosting businesses, community crafts and music at Voltaire Road in partnership with Clapham BID
Keep an eye on your local GoVocal pages to see if any Car Free Days are happening in your area in 2025.
OurBike
If you live or work in Lambeth, you can hire an e-cargo OurBike from 10 locations across the borough.
In January 2025, 4 new OurBike locations were installed throughout the borough. Keep an eye on your local GoVocal page to get updates about where your nearest OurBike is.
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.
We are giving all Lambeth residents and businesses free OurBike minutes when you sign up. This is in addition to us 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 via the Google Play store or 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
In July 2024, 14 schools and 187 pupils cycled from Brockwell Park to the KIA Oval as part of the ‘Bike the Borough’ annual mass cycle ride for children from Lambeth’s primary schools.
The aim was to encourage children to take up cycling and show off their Bikeability skills. The ride ended with a picnic in the KIA Oval for all of the children to celebrate their achievements.
You can check out the Bike the Borough 2024 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 in 2025 & 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. Installation of the YSYW 2023 designs will be completed from 2024 – 2025.
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).