Paris Goes Car Free for a Day Sunday Sep 27,2015

 

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo presided over Sunday's "day without cars," two months before the city hosts the global summit on climate change.

The symbolic initiative is aimed at showing that air pollution from traffic -- a prime source in Paris -- must be reduced worldwide and capitals must take concrete measures to shrink their carbon footprint.

Mayors from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Brussels and Bristol were in Paris for the kick-off on the famed Champs-Elysees Avenue.

The avenue, normally congested with vehicles, isn't the only sector of Paris having a carless moment. Vehicles, including motorized bicycles, are forbidden in a quarter of the French capital and "strongly not recommended" throughout.

Buses, ambulances, police vehicles, fire trucks and taxis were allowed in the streets.


People walk on the Champs Elysees during the 'day without cars' in Paris, France on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.

 

Note

Paris has earlier sought to cut pollution by introducing rental bicycles in the streets, adding cycling paths, including along the scenic Seine River, and adopting a fleet of electric cars for residents to incite drivers to keep polluting vehicles at home