Hyndland Secondary pupils help to launch Clean Air Day

Published: 1 June 2018

Electric vehicles including Teslas, taxis, BMWs and bikes are coming to George Square to mark Clean Air Day.

Pupils from Hyndland Secondary helped to unveil the council's plans for the event which takes place on Thursday 21 June 2018 between 10am-2pm.

A mini-pump track provided by 2018 European Championships will also be present to allow youngsters to bring their own scoot bikes, scooters and bicycles, and test their skills on the jumps, twists and turns of the track.

Clean Air Day aims to encourage people across Scotland to leave their cars at home, cycle their children to school, walk or get a bus or train to work to help improve Scotland's air quality.

Glasgow, which will become the first Scottish city to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) by the end of the year, is supporting Clean Air Day. This exciting event is a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information with friends and colleagues, and help improve Scotland's air quality.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction; watched as the pupils were shown how to use air quality monitoring equipment with the assistance of Susannah Telfer, a senior technical consultant at Ricardo, which works with the Scottish Government to measure air quality in towns and cities.

Councillor Richardson said: "Reducing emissions is a top priority for the city. Events like Clean Air Day can increase awareness of what is being done to improve the quality of the air we all breathe.

"Clean Air Day will showcase a huge range of exhibits and activities such as active travel, renewable energy, car clubs and electric vehicles that can all help to improve air quality.

"We have made big improvements in air quality in Glasgow but poor air remains a public health concern and a major social justice issue for the city.

"The forthcoming Low Emission Zone will make significant reductions to air pollution in the city centre. Our LEZ will be the first in the country and will deliver cleaner air for the people of Glasgow."

Events on Clean Air Day at George Square

There will be special courses for youngsters to try out bicycles for the first time or for people considering an electric bike, to try them out on the road outside the City Chambers which will be sealed off from traffic for the event. A mini-pump track provided by 2018 European Championships will also be present to allow youngsters to bring their own scoot bikes, scooters and bicycles, and test their skills on the jumps, twists and turns of the track.

Clean Air Day is being co-ordinated by Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS), on behalf of the Scottish Government; working with UK organisers Global Action Plan. More information about Clean Air day can be found here