AS Delhi enjoys its first Car Free Day, lets have a look at how it is celebrated world over - China | ET Autolytics

AS Delhi enjoys its first Car Free Day, lets have a look at how it is celebrated world over

Delhi is enjoying its first car free day. However, its not a new concept. It started way back in 1990s.

This day "promotes improvement of mass transit, cycling and walking". Take a look at how it is celebrated world over.

It began in Gurgaon from November, 2013 as a weekly event - that closes streets to cars in the name of sustainable and active transport. Later on, New Delhi started hosting car free Sundays in Connaught Place each week, beginning July 2014.

Its a day for passengers, they can run, walk, dance, sing, can do anything and everything of their choice. And yes there are no dangers of being interrupted by cars and other vehicles.

From September 22, 2015, Gurgaon will celebrate Car Free Day from 7 am to 7 pm every Tuesday.

First started in 2005, in Brussels every Sunday of September has been dedicated as Car free.

Its not just about renting a cycle/bike, and roaming here and there. There are craft activities, treasure hunts, heritage tours, and of course lip smacking food, and many more.

In October 2000, Chengdu City of Sichuan Province started the first ever "Car-Free Day" in that nation.

In 2007, China launched the Green Transport and Health week campaign.

During the week of September 22, walking, biking, public transportation, and carpooling are encouraged. On No Car Day they will have special 'green zones' in hundreds of cities. These normally vehicle congested areas will be open only to pedestrians, bicycles, and buses.

It is estimated that the 2007 campaign saved 33 million liters of gasoline and cut emissions by 3,000 tons.

In September 2007, Jakarta held its first Car Free Day which invited local pedestrians to exercise and perform other activities on roads, otherwise remain fully occupied with cars and traffic.

Since May 2012 Car-Free Day in Jakarta is held every Sunday.

First started in September 2009, World Car Free Day is celebrated in Washington, DC with free bike repairs, yoga classes and groups that encourage environmentally friendly lives.

It started a concept of 'The Car Free Diet' to encourage avid car users to go car free. People wear t-shirts which says "I lost 2,000 lbs in one day".

Photo courtesy: indiatoday.in

Taiwan started celebrating world Car Free Day since 2004. On this day, all city public transportation service are available for free.

The story of Car Free Day in Paris dates back to October 1988, when "Cities without Cars?" program began. And now, in 2015, Paris is going to ban private vehicles from its streets on September 29. On that day, Paris is going to be a "pedestrian and a cyclist's paradise".

Photo courtesy: weburbanist.com

The city of Budapest is celebrating Car Free Day since 2001. The week long campaign from September 16-22, 2015 is aiming at encouraging sustainable transport measures.

Currently Bogota holds the world's largest car free weekday event covering the entire city.

Photo courtesy: thecityfix.com

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