Car Free Day

September 21, 2017

Fun fact. Car Free Day is observed annually - and globally - on September 22.

We know we're preaching to the choir here - you already opt to ride SEPTA - but there are some people out there that have not seen the light and they - gasp - drive to work, school, and everywhere in between!

As a way to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, promote mass transit, cycling, and walking, Car Free Day was developed based on regular car free days that have been a long-standing practice in Europe and Scandinavia. The Environmental Transportation Association set the first European Car Free Day in 2000. Today, Car Free Day includes celebrations in 46 countries and in 2,141 cities.

The event promotes improvement of mass transit, cycling and walking, and the development of communities where jobs are closer to home and where shopping is within walking distance. Did you know some studies show that for short trips in cities, one can get there more quickly using a bicycle or by walking rather than using a car? Which is better for the air we breathe. Using more sustainable ways to get around helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion. The more people who travel using bicycles, buses, trolleys, subways and trains, the less pollutants are released into the atmosphere.

See if you can convince a friend, coworker or loved one to get through the day without using a car. And to up the stakes - let's include not using Uber, Lyft and taxis for the day. The message is so simple:

Take the bus. Walk. Ride a bike. Stay home. But whatever you do, don’t travel by car on Car Free Day. 

OR

There are one billion vehicles on the globe, make it one less for the day.

Use #CarFreeDay and #ISEPTAPHILLY to post on social media. We're counting on you!

So much so - leave a comment below letting us know who you convinced to go car free and we'll send both of you a SEPTA t-shirt! Only comments added on 9/22/17 will be considered.