





World Car Free Day is celebrated on September 22nd each year. Car Free Day is a global initiative that encourages those who are normally motorists to leave their cars at home for a day. The purpose of this awareness day, especially for those who live and/or work in cities, is to take non-car options for transportation in order to get a better sense of their locality. While on the train or bus or commuting by bike or walking, you might have a chance to visit a local coffee shop, florist or bakery that you would normally not notice while stuck in your car. Additionally, by participating in Car Free Day, you are contributing to a global environmental effort to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). According to the EPA, the transportation sector accounts for 27% of the GHG emissions released into the air—the greatest percentage of all of the sectors that are significant contributors. Within the transportation sector itself, 57% of those emissions come from light-duty vehicles (a.k.a. cars).
While sporadic car free days existed prior to the beginning of the Milennium, World Car Free Day began in earnest in 2000. The European Transport Association made Car Free Day official in June of 2000, by setting the first awareness day on the first Tuesday in their Green Transport Week. Eventually, it was agreed to make the day a self-standing one on September 22nd of that year (and those thereafter) as a pan-European day supported by the European Commission. Now, on September 22nd each year, many major cities, including those in the U.S. are encouraged to close their centers to cars and instead promote the use of walking, biking, public transportation, riding a shuttle or engaging in telework.
This year on September 22nd, Car-Free Boston is hosting Rebel Ride beginning in Copley Square at 5:30PM.
In Cambridge, for many people, every day can be seen as car-free, given the variety of options available to residents and commuters who either don’t have a car or don’t want one. Bike lanes adorn many streets, transit stations and bus stops are plenty, and bike and walking paths connect many neighborhoods.
At the Alewife TMA, we are asking folks to take a pledge to go car free on September 22nd. All those who take the pledge will be entered to win a pair of Apple Air Pods!
On behalf of the Alewife TMA, we want to wish you a Happy Car Free Day. Join us in making the movement stronger. Breathe fresh air instead of staring at brake lights!
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