Do something smart while your car has a rest
17 Jun 2015
Our first Give Your Car a Rest Day is shaping up well in time for tomorrow's Undergraduate Open Day
Our first Give Your Car a Rest day is shaping up really well, with 200 Personal Travel Plans issued, 150 free train tickets requested and 500 people attending the Annual Cycle Event.
As well as freeing up park spaces and creating the best possible impression of the campus on Friday's Undergraduate Open Day, commuting by public transport will also free up your time, brain, eyes and hands for more more interesting or creative activities than driving.
Here are 10 smart things you could do while you're commuting, but you can probably think of many more:
- Watch, read or listen to something challenging
- Do a cryptic crossword or Sudoku
- Catch up on personal emails
- Organise your photo collection
- Start a new hobby (eg writing, knitting)
- Get a head start on work (eg plan your day or begin a task)
- Plan menus
- Order shopping
- Practice mindfulness
- Exercise (obvious if you are walking, running or cycling, but also possible if you commute by public transport)
Why not share the alternative ways in which you are using your journey time on social media using the hashtag #restcaruom?
Arriving at Piccadilly Station on 19 June?
If you are trying the train for the first time on Friday, or are a regular train user who would like some company on your walk to the Oxford Road campus, then join Vanessa Cowan for a morning stroll. Vanessa is a Walking for Health leader and leads the University's Lunchtime Strollers on walks from the campus several times a week.
There is no charge to take part, but you will need to book your place at:
After Give Your Car a Rest Day
Northern Rail are keeping open their offer of a week's free train travel to University car park permit holders until 30 June.
To register your interest, simply send an email with ‘University of Manchester’ in the subject line to:
If you’ve caught the cycling bug, ACE is offering free bike hire, cycle training and free home services over the summer:
If company and support would help you get into the saddle, you'll find just who you need at: