Sustainable transport campaigners have criticised Brighton and Hove's plans for Car Free Day – for being "not very car free".

The city is making preparations for the annual event next month.

Towns and cities around the world will be closing roads to motor vehicles to encourage green ways of getting around.

Brighton and Hove plans to close The Lanes, New Road and Jubilee Street for four hours to create a pedestrian and bike friendly zone where games and events will be staged on Sunday, September 20.

But cycling group Bricycles and bike instructor Ian Davey, a member of Brighton and Hove City Council, described it as a "half-hearted effort" which was not doing enough to get people out of their cars.

Adam Pride, from Bricycles, said: "All of the areas they are using are either pedestrianised already, shared-space or not heavily used by cars. It all looks a bit half-hearted.

"Other cities around the world really make a big issue of it. Paris closes the Champs Elysees. If Brighton closed King's Road, that would make an impact, but they seem to have just gone for the easiest option."

Councillor Davey said it was disappointing the council had decided to stage the event on the 20th, a Sunday, rather than the official annual date, September 22, which would have involved weekday traffic.

He said: "What they are doing will give people the opportunity to have a good time on the streets but it misses the opportunity the day is supposed to provide by getting people to see their city in a different way – car free.

"The idea is to encourage people to think about changing their behaviour and driving less, and we won't really do that by keeping the event to these streets.

"It has been running for several years now and the council hasn't progressed it. It needs to be bolder and take bigger steps. This is not very car free."

The council yesterday defended its plan, saying that the day was about celebrating and promoting the various ways to travel around the city.

A council spokeswoman said: "It is not just about closing roads to traffic."

The closures to The Lanes will include Ship Street, Prince Albert Street, Bartholomews, East Street, Little East Street and Market Street.

The spokeswoman added the event was being staged on a Sunday to attract families and avoid disruption to business deliveries.

It has been billed as including live music, performances and activities for people of all ages, focussed on a sustainable transport theme.

There will be opportunities to trial bikes, go on rickshaw rides and get information about car clubs, bus offers and transport advice.