The problem of the growing number of cars in cities has been worrying residents of different countries for years. In addition, that own vehicles are convenience and mobility of movement, and this can also be one of the main factors affecting the destruction of the atmosphere. Every year thousands of people die on the roads as a result of accidents. A world day without a car is held to promote foot traffic, as well as the use of public transport.
history of the holiday
World car-free day, celebrated on September 22, is an international holiday aimed at finding an alternative to a car, calling for a retreat from excessive automation and protection of nature and human rights. Since 1973, this holiday has been spontaneously held in different countries. In Switzerland, for the first time it was decided to abandon cars for four days because of the fuel crisis. For several years this holiday was celebrated in several European countries. In 1994, Spain called for an annual car-free day. The tradition to celebrate the 22nd of September car-free day was founded in 1997 in England, when it was first decided to hold a nationwide scale action. A year later, in 1998, the action was held in France, it involved about two dozen cities. By the year 2000, the tradition has already begun to take a more serious turn and is being conducted around the world. 35 countries all over the world have joined this tradition.
Events and actions for the holiday
On World car-free day, various events are held in many countries, inspiring people to take care of the environment and the future generation. As a rule, they are associated with the refusal to use an individual car. On this day, public transport in many cities is free of charge. For example, in Paris, overlapping the central part of the city, and everyone is offered a free bike ride. There are also demonstration rides on a bicycle. The first demonstration was conducted in 1992 in the United States. To date, the number of countries that conduct similar events has increased significantly.
In Russia, the action of the World Day without a car was first held in 2005, in Belgorod, and already in 2006 and in Nizhny Novgorod. In 2008, the action was held in Moscow. Over the next few years, the following cities joined the celebration: Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg, Tver, Tambov, Kazan and a few dozen others. In particular, the celebration is of importance in megacities. In Moscow, on September 22, tariffs for public transport are reduced.
On World day without a car, many residents of different cities leave their cars or motorcycles in their garages, and change to bicycles so that for at least one day the population of the whole city can enjoy the silence, the sounds of nature and clean air.