Car Free Life: Reaping the Health and Financial Benefits

Imagine your city with less cars, where people use public transportation, and walk or cycle to move around. This ideal world would bring many positive changes to our surroundings and  our communities such as less polluted cities, better health, more social contact and a faster method of travel.

The event!

Every September 22^nd is World Carfree Day, which encourages people from around the globe to practice activities that remind us that we do not have to accept a car dominated society; that we can use other ways to move through our cities. Ultimately, it seeks to provoke change in our everyday lives.

Every second and fourth Sunday of the month in Jakarta

This movement, originally from Europe, spread throughout the world and has become a common event. Nowadays we have Carfree Days every week (mostly on Sundays), an initiative created in Bogota, Colombia. A few years ago many cities in America also adopted the practice. It is occurring in more than 38 cities in 11 countries- a number that continues to grow. With the help of the government, restricting car use, some streets, where people run, play, bike, skate or simply walk, have generated positive results. For instance, this campaign has helped individuals achieve the recommended minimum weekly requirement of physical activity determined by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Benefits all around

There are many arguments that support the use of cars. The main points come from a text called The Ten Myths of Automobile Dependence by Newman and Kenworthy. Their arguments are related to wealth, climate, space, age, health and social problems.

Cyclists ride down Ren’ai Road in Taipei City for Carfree Day

There is a belief that says “The more money you have, the more cars you own.” It seems to be logical, yet they did not find a strong correlation between the increase of live standard and a car-based society. In fact, they discovered, in some cases, the opposite. In regards to climate they found that there is no link between the temperature and the consumption of gasoline, in their study of 32 cities. This finding remains contrary to the argument that warmer cities have a preference to the car because of the diverse activities available outdoors.

Roads must cater to all modes of transportation

These and more examples can be read in their research and they have discovered that the answer is not simple, there is no one explanation. The issues are complex and include a sum of explanations that are rooted in cultural, social, and planning implications.

Picnic in the street at Sunday Streets San Francisco

When I think about it, it is obvious we have to change the ways we plan our cities. Thankfully, it is happening little by little. Our frequency of travel and diverse experiences reveal that every case has its own reasons and therefore the measures must be different in each example. An accurate study to increase the success rate of these actions must be conducted. It is clear that public spaces and roads must be multi-functional and cater to all modes of transportation. In turn, this will provoke the feeling of being part of a community, an interest in taking care of it and standing up to achieve the common good.

It is going to be a lengthy process, but little actions can do wonders. We encourage you to be part of this movement not only on September 22^nd, but the rest of the year. Empower your neighbours and your local governments to take action in order to improve our cities.