World Car-Free Day – September 22, 2022, history significance why we celebrate
World Car Free Day is celebrated on September 22. It is a worldwide initiative to encourage motorists to take a break from driving and explore alternatives. So if you want to be more environmentally friendly, take part in World Car-Free Day. Sure, giving up your vehicle may not be the most convenient way to go car-free, but it is the best way to stop gas-guzzling for even one day. Is it possible to go for an entire day without needing a car? Yes! It can be done, and World Car-Free Day wants to prove it.
History of World Car-Free Day
The World Car-Free Day was first observed in the year 2000. The Environmental Transport Association had established the initial annual Car-Free Day on the first Tuesday in their Green Transport Week in the second half of June. From 2000 it was celebrated as a self-standing day held on September 22.
The day invites a large number of cities to close their centers to the cars. In some cities and countries, organized events will be held. The event promotes improving mass transit, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit. The event will vary depending on the location and thereby provides the motorists and drivers with an idea of their locality with fewer automobiles.
Furthermore, the event supports community development by providing jobs closer to the people can go for shopping within the walkable distance. World Carfree Day is the perfect time to reduce the heat of the planet.
WORLD CAR-FREE DAY TIMELINE
1950s
The Protests Begin
Crowded city centers and neighborhoods are seen as intrusions by the car culture and so, countries such as Netherlands and Belgium have car-free Sundays.
1994
The International Conference
A paper on reducing dependence on cars is distributed at an international conference.
2000
The First Car-Free Day
The Environmental Transport Association starts World Car-Free Day on the first Tuesday of their Green Transport Week.
2004
The Program is Audited
Those involved in the sustainable transport movement want to see what impact their programs and projects have made a decade after the movement began.
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WORLD CAR-FREE DAY ACTIVITIES
Leave your car parked all day
The best way to observe World Car-Free Day is to keep your car parked in your drive all day. Enjoy the thrill of being able to walk around without having to deal with car fumes
Spread the word
Spread the word about World Car-Free Day online so that other people will know about it too. Use your social media handles to create a buzz around this event.
Ride a bike
Celebrate World Car-Free Day by taking your family on a bike ride. If you haven’t taught your little one how to bike yet, now is the perfect time to go out and buy one together.
5 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT CARS
The world’s first car
In 1885, Carl Benz invented the first gasoline-powered motor car that had a top speed of just 10 miles per hour.
There are billions of cars worldwide
It is estimated that there are over 1.2 billion cars in the world today up from 500 million in 1986.
Most people drive on the right
About 65% of the world drives on the right-hand side of the road.
The most popular car
The Volkswagen Beetle, a four-wheeled automobile that was the most popular car of the 20th Century, sold more than 20 million units worldwide.
Da Vinci’s car
In 2004, a replica of the first car that Leonardo da Vinci sketched before his death in 1478 was displayed at the Museum and Institute for the History of Science in Florence, Italy.
WHY WE LOVE WORLD CAR-FREE DAY
It’s a good time for children
Bikes are great for getting children out of the house and into the world. They can spend time with other kids on World Car-Free Day.
It helps reduce pollution
Using public transport and leaving your car at home can cut gas emissions. Fewer cars on the road mean less pollution and traffic jams, making commuting an easy and convenient experience.
It raises awareness
World Car-Free Day helps raise awareness on how people can live without their cars. The world has reached a point where we need to start thinking about reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and moving towards renewable energy sources.
How to Celebrate the Day
The best way to celebrate the day is by indulging yourself in World Car-Free Day actively. Take your bicycle and go for your shopping. Take some precautions to save the planet by reducing pollution by celebrating this Car-Free Day. Post your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #WorldCar-FreeDay.
WORLD CAR-FREE DAY FAQS
Is there a country without cars?
There are no cars, scooters, or motorized vehicles allowed on Hydra. The Greek island is known for its well-preserved architecture, stunning blue waters, hidden bays, and beautiful coastal hiking paths.
Is a city without cars possible?
Yes. If it has waterways. Venice is a striking example of how a modern city can function without cars, something impossible to imagine since the city was founded over 1,500 years ago.
What if there were no cars?
Cars allow us to live farther from our jobs, schools, and recreational activities than we could walk. Without vehicles, our cities and suburbs would be more condensed, and most areas would be made up of tall apartment buildings rather than rows and rows of single-family homes.
