World Carfree Day

By Karl Rosengarth

On September 22nd, 2007 World Carfree Network and its member organizations around the world will call for permanent changes to make cities more environmentally and socially sustainable 365 days a year. In more than 1,500 cities and 40 countries, citizens will organize carfree street festivals, bicycle parades, street closures and other special events.

"World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet and put it on politicians and planners to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport," says Randall Ghent, initiator of the first World Carfree Day in 2000.

World Carfree Day is a European creation that is gaining traction in America. There is no set formula regarding how to host a World Carfree Day in your city, and grassroots organizations are encouraged to come up with their own interpretation. World Carfree Network has a webpage with ideas for taking action against car culture. Check out Portland Carfree Day and Carfree DC, for specific examples of planned 2007 World Carfree Day activities in USA cities.Carfree USA Blog is a good source of information regarding car free living in the USA.