The world car free day has been in existence for several decades. One of the best initiatives proposed for at least one day to improve the health of our planet. However, in some countries, this movement is relatively young.
In today’s ride, we are going to talk about this day, since when is celebrated, who can help & other data. Take your bike, your bike tool kit, wear your helmet, and don’t forget the basic rules to circulate. Let’s go!
World car free day, when is celebrated?
The world car free day is celebrated every September 22nd. The aim is for citizens that use car or any motorized vehicle to transport, don’t use it for one day. And, instead, use other sustainable alternatives, such as bike, skates, electric scooters, or even walk or run.
In essence, the aim is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide to lessen the green house gas emission that cause the climate change.
How did the celebration come about?
Curiously, the free car day didn’t arise as a complaint in favor of environment. Ironically was to provision fossil fuel, and, then, fuel, before the fuel crisis of 1973.
In that year, Arabic countries in the Organización de Países Exportadores de Petróleo (OPEP) (Organization of Fuel Exporter Countries) suspended the sale of fuel to countries that supported to Israel in the yom kipur war. The supplies of many European countries were affected, as the rationing of fuel to reduce the use of vehicles.
Even, this fuel crisis obliged to suspend highways of cars of Montecarlo and the rally of Switzerland in 1974. In U. S. A. it was rationed the full supply according to the end of registration plate, and it was imposed the summer schedule to save energy.
Fortunately, this also brought governments and authorities to develop the use of sustainable transport, above all, bicycle. The intention, as we mentioned, was for people to use more their cars and public transport.
So, unintentionally, these events led to, in some more years, this would be baptized as World Car Free Day.
World Car Free Day, when did it officially begin?
It was until 20 years later that the World Car Free Day started to take shape. In October of 1994, cities of Reykjavik (Iceland), La Rochelle (France) and Bath (United Kingdom) were the first ones in celebrate the car free day, even though, it wasn’t to world level yet.
Three years later, in 1997, Great Britain is the first country to adopt this initiative to national level.
Finally, in 2000, European Commission declared the 22nd of September as the World Car Free Day. However, is decided to extend the celebration from 1 day to 7, creating the so-called Week of Mobility.
Reasons to don’t use car
There are many and diverse reasons to not use car, or at least, not using it in excess. Some of them are:
- Fosters sedentism. The use of car to go anywhere avoid physical activity, even a minimum, as walk.
- Their use in short distances causes more traffic. When a car circulates slow to a crawl, generates more damaging gases for health and environment.
- Normally, most of cars are able to transport at least 4 people, but, majority of them just use them to move 1 person, almost all the time. This reduces the space in streets for other transports, and increase the possibility of suffering traffic accidents.
- In case of having 1 or more cars, it generates a greater economic expense in fuel, spare parts & parking lot rates, compared to sustainable transports.
When did it start to be celebrated in Mexico?
In Latin America, the cities of Bogota, Medellin and Cali, in Colombia are the most committed ones with this celebration. The first two perform this celebration since 2000, and through a referendum, they prohibited the circulation of private cars in this date.
In Mexico, it was until 2018, that the honorable Union Congress declared the September 22nd of every year as the National Car Free Day. Thus, in the case of our country, the initiative lies in the decision and commitment of their citizens, if circulation isn’t prohibited to national level, is expected to feel solidarity.
How many cars exist in Mexico City?
According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) (National Institute of Statistics and Geography), in Mexico exist more than 32.2 million of cars in circulation, from those, the 95% are for private use.
From 2000 to 2018, the total of cars in Mexico City passed from 2.5 to more than 5 million of cars. In 2018, the capital city had a register of 5.27 million of cars circulating. In the case of State of Mexico, in the same period was an increase of 4.5 times, going from 1.2 to 5.5 million of cars.
Bike ways, the best option
By talking about short distances and fastness, bike ways of CDMX are the best options to move by bike & other non-motorized transports. Whether is the Car Free day or any other date.
A separated bike way has the advantage of separate it from vehicle traffic, meaning, is an exclusive cycling lane. By this way, is easier and quicker to transport by bike for short distances.
In the best of cases, can take the cycle path to connect or get closer with other public transport. Helping to reduce environmental pollution, due the use other mean of transport, such as trolleybus or metrobus, able to transport many passengers.
Celebrate the National Car Free day & help to take care of environment, as you take care of your health. Join us to pedal for this day!
