Today is World Carfree Day!
It’s September 22, 2009 right now in the Bay Area. That means it’s World Carfree Day!
Here’s a nice quote from the World Carfree Network:
When people get out of their cars, they should stay out of their cars. It is up to us, it is up to our cities, and our governments to help create permanent change to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and other people who do not drive cars.
Let World Carfree Day be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars…365 days a year.
As the climate heats up, World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of to the automobile.
Hell yes. I’m lucky to live in San Francisco, where I have pretty good support as a cyclist. I also have access to great public transportation, which I rarely use since I use my bike almost entirely as transportation. In other words, I try to make every day Carfree Day, but I realize that’s not so easy for folks who live in places without the necessary infrastructure.
That said, don’t make excuses for yourself! Get out of your routine and just try riding instead of driving, and you’re likely to discover that the bicycle is a better, more enjoyable way to get around town!
Related links: While researching World Carfree Day, I found Carbusters Magazine, which I had never heard of before but I’ll have to check out, you should too!