World Car Free Day: history and experience from different countries

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Recently, more and more countries celebrate World Car Free Day every year. What is the reason for the appearance of this date and what events are taking place in different countries? Let's watch the celebration of this day in various parts of the country and the world.

Promotion history

In 1973, at the height of the fuel crisis, the Swiss authorities invited citizens to spend one day without a car, using bicycles and public transport. A few years later, the idea came up to make an annual campaign calling for less use of personal vehicles. The idea was picked up by different cities: Reykjavik, Bath, La Rochelle and others. The action gained popularity due to the environmental situation and as a way to promote a he althy lifestyle. "Give up the car for at least one day, improve your he alth by walking or cycling, use public transport and reduce the flow of cars" - this is how car owners were encouraged to participate in the events.

In 1994, it was proposed to celebrate World Car Free Day on September 22, this initiative was supported by many countriesEuropean Union. In Russia, such an action was first held in 2008.

World Car Free Day around the world

As part of Car Free Day, countries offer various promotions to motivate drivers to leave their "iron horses" at home for at least one day a year. Many cities are reducing the cost of public transport, almost halving the cost of the subway.

Following the example of San Francisco, more and more countries are holding bicycle demonstrations on September 22: cyclists in colorful suits ride along the streets of the city on a par with cars, demonstrating that this method of transportation is more environmentally friendly and he althy, besides, it does not interfere motorists.

Many countries on this day restrict the entry of cars into the city, forcing their owners to take a walk.

With the development of social networks, supporting the action with the help of photos is gaining popularity. It is suggested that you take a picture of yourself walking or cycling and post it online with a hashtag such as "daycarless" (each country has its own variations).

In Russia, the action is more popular in provincial cities than in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but there are more and more fans of the Day without a car every year.

Media coverage of the action

World Car Free Day is getting more and more popular every year. How do supporters of the action draw attention to it?

First of all, of course, with the help ofmass media. A he althy lifestyle is now in vogue, and the stories of doctors from TV screens or pages of magazines remind us of the harm caused to humanity by a huge number of cars. This is the harmful effects of exhaust gases, and weakening of the muscles due to low mobility, and a breakdown of the nervous system due to constant traffic jams and numerous accidents.

Articles on the web also argue from an economic point of view. Car maintenance is the purchase of gasoline, repairs, technical inspections, various gadgets. Even one day of travel by public transport will significantly save the budget. And if you get on foot or by bike - it's completely free.

Environmentalists, concerned about the deplorable state of the environment, which is exacerbated by the emission of exhaust gases, conducted a motivational study. It turns out that in Moscow alone, thanks to the fact that World Car Free Day was held in 2014 on September 22, the air became cleaner by as much as 15%!

Working with the younger generation

For several years now, Russian schools have been holding special events calling on the younger generation to do without vehicles at least once a year. World Day Without a Car at School is interesting class hours, wall newspapers, cycling competitions, races for various distances and hiking. Medical workers are invited to the children, who tell how much more beneficial it is for the body, for example, to walk to school than to go by car.

In many cities they tell what the World Car Free Day is in kindergarten. Educators tell children how a car can harm, conduct outdoor games, and also encourage parents to join the action.

People's opinion

World Car Free Day has both fans and ardent opponents. Someone gladly refuses personal transport for one day, someone does not consider it possible. Of course, every inhabitant of the Earth is concerned about environmental problems and understands that millions of tons of exhaust gases worsen the situation every day. They count everything and the money that is spent on the maintenance and service of even the simplest car.

But according to polls, only a small part of drivers are ready to give up their personal vehicle for at least one day, let alone make it a lifestyle. A car is comfort, it is an opportunity to get from one part of the city to another in the shortest possible time. For parents with children, their own car is an indispensable assistant, thanks to which you can be in time for kindergarten, school, work, and numerous clubs and sections.

But still, the idea that in some cases you can do without a car deserves attention. And I hope that giving up your personal car for at least one day a year will become a tradition that will benefit people and help solve environmental problems.