Car Free Day encourages drivers to give up their cars for a day to protect the environment. People from around the world get together in the streets to remind the world that we don't have to accept the society full of cars. It was first started by 34 cities in France and September 22 is Car Free Day. The first Car Free Day in China was in Chengdu in 2001. The slogan for the day is" If we drive for one less day, we can have one more nice day. "
Organized activities are held in many cities on Car Free Day. In Brussels, Car Free Day shall be valid (有效的) for everybody except persons with a special permit (许可证) , but they have to slow down to the speed of 30 kilometers per hour. The public transportation is free on that day. In London, they have special" green areas". Walking, biking, and public transportation are encouraged. The streets are open only to walkers, bicycles and buses from 7:00a. m. to 7:00p. m. In Beijing, it asks drivers to leave their cars at home for one day each month and walk or ride a bike to work. More and more people are joining in the activity. In the first quarter of this year, Beijing only had 52 blue sky days, and you may see haze (雾霾) almost every day! We must do more for Car Free Day as a Beijing driver said,
"We may not change the weather, but we can choose not to drive."
But we do not want just one day and then a return to "normal" life. We should go on with Car Free Day.
