Happy Car-Free Day!

September 22nd is World Car-Free Day, when people everywhere are encouraged to get out of their cars and try different modes of getting around. The Metro DC Car-Free Day is also encouraging people to try "Car-Lite" options like carpooling, or to eliminate the need for a trip to the office by working from home. They're asking people to pledge to "eliminate or reduce" their driving today - and the form does ask whether people normally drive or not, so I hope they'll report both numbers.

I thought the bus was a little more crowded than usual this morning (though I also got to the stop a few minutes later than usual), and the traffic seemed to be on the lighter side. Has anyone noticed a difference in traffic patterns where you live?

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I have to drive to work and on Saturdays I usually have errands to run but I try not to drive on Sundays unless I absolutely have to. Most Sundays I don't leave home. Seems like a once a week car-free day is better than a one off, or even an annual, event. It isn't much of an imposition for me and I don't believe it would be for most people.

By darwinsdog (not verified) on 22 Sep 2010 #permalink

didn't even know this but I only used my bike today. good for me!

I love my car. Actually cars; I own four cars and a truck.

I do wish all you car haters would take yourselves off the road and into some other form of transportation.

Most of you can't drive worth a damn and just slow me down anyway.

I'd even agree to partially subsidize your anti-car schemes as long as it left more space on the road, and gas at the pumps, for me and my many beautiful and empowering automotive conveyances.

What I won't agree to is punitive measures motivated by irrational, emotional disdain for the automobile.

Watch for my 1973 Ford F-100 with a honking 460 cubic inch, un-catalytic converter-ed, engine as I blow past you on your bicycle. It'll be the one with the "I heart CO2" bumper sticker.

Lance, it's a big leap from "try to make some of your trips by a means other than solo driving" to "car hating." It doesn't matter how we feel about cars emotionally; if we all drove alone every place we had to go, there would be constant gridlock, among other problems.

By Liz Borkowski (not verified) on 27 Sep 2010 #permalink

It has become the need of the hour to use public transport system because personal vehicles are the main reason behind air pollution. We all must celebrate this day in true sense.
http://mojoblast.net/

By George Brock (not verified) on 08 Oct 2010 #permalink