Over the last few decades, car owners and manufacturers have focused heavily on transportation sustainability and reducing harmful emissions released by gas-powered vehicles. Starting in the 1990s, individual communities around Europe worked together to increase awareness of the dire situation by planning car-free projects throughout major cities. The trend was a success that eventually caught on globally.

Since 2000, September 22nd has been designated as World Car Free Day, where cities around the world are invited to leave their cars at home and choose sustainable, eco-friendly transportation options.

Benefits of World Car Free Day

Our society enjoys the freedom and convenience that come with car ownership. Having a car means we can travel or even relocate relatively easily without too much discomfort. However, there are many benefits to going car-free, even if it is just for a day.

Choosing to leave your vehicle at home can reduce your carbon footprint, improve your overall health, and give you insight into other alternative modes of transportation. A day of riding your bike or walking around town can help you have more empathy and understanding for the next cyclist or pedestrian you encounter when driving.

Plan Your Car-Free Day in Advance

If your daily routine depends heavily on the use of your vehicle, celebrating #CarFreeDay will take some pre-planning to make it successful and fun.

1. Assess Your Transportation Needs

It is important to plan your World Car Free Day in advance, especially if your daily routine revolves around the use of your car. Without proper planning, the day can shift from an enjoyable learning experience to a catastrophic inconvenience.

Plan the day by writing down a list of daily activities that must be accomplished. Do you have to go to work, school, and the grocery store? Think about your usual passengers, the distance, and any necessary storage requirements. This will help you decide on the best alternative transportation solutions for the day.

2. Map Out Your Route

If you have to go somewhere, like work or school, plan your route and sustainable transportation options with plenty of extra time for wait times, breaks, and any potential delays.

For example, if you’re relying on public transportation, like the bus, subway, or train, it operates on a timed schedule and route. Multiple vehicles often use the same stop but take a different route. Knowing which service takes you closest to your destination and at what time they expect to arrive at your next stop can set you up for a smooth, stress-free, car-free experience.

If, on the other hand, you plan to bike, skateboard, scooter, or walk to your destination, planning out the most pedestrian-friendly route can help ensure safety. Routes with sidewalks or bike lanes are preferred. Also, knowing how long it will take for you to get from point A to point B on foot can help with your planning. Apps like Google Maps or MapQuest enable you to plan your schedule and route by foot.

3. Consider the Alternative Transportation Options

The creative and fun options for car-free transportation possibilities are endless. Although you could potentially skateboard or skip to work, as some have suggested, there may be more practical solutions that you could feasibly integrate into your routine more than one day per year.

Use Public Transportation on #CarFreeDay

Public transportation services are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint by adopting a more car-free lifestyle while enjoying the convenience and comfort of an air-conditioned and heated motor vehicle.

Benefits of Using Public Transportation Services

With public transportation, you’ll still get some of the health benefits of being more active than when you drive yourself to work. Since most public transit options, like the bus, subway, or train, don’t come to your driveway, you’ll get extra steps in as you walk to and from the stops.

Not only that, but you’ll have plenty of time to take a nap, do your makeup, respond to emails, scroll social media, or read that book that has been sitting on your nightstand for too long. Letting someone else take the wheel gives you more time to accomplish your morning routine without putting other drivers in danger.

Other benefits of public transportation include a reduction in traffic congestion, less pollution, and elimination of a gas bill for the day. If you pursue public transportation long-term, you can reduce your household expenses by not paying for car payments, car insurance, and fuel costs.

Plus, taking the bus can cut your greenhouse gas emissions in half for the day. By eliminating your vehicle use more frequently, you can make an even greater positive impact on the world around you.

Mastering Your Commute Using Public Transportation

Unlike some of the other options, public transportation does require a bit of pre-planning and a potential learning curve. Buses, trains, and subways all operate on a fixed schedule rather than a will-call basis, like rideshare or taxi services.

Sometimes, if a route is particularly popular, multiple vehicles will operate within a half-hour of each other, reducing commute and wait times. However, if your route is less used, it may be an hour or more between stops at a location. You can optimize your route by utilizing local transit apps and websites to find the most up-to-date routes and schedules.

When planning, allow for plenty of time to get to the stop before its arrival time, the length of time it takes to get to your stop, and the travel time from the final stop to your destination. You can also purchase your tickets or passes in advance to save time.

Bike to Work on #CarFreeDay

Riding a bike is a fun and active transportation alternative for World Car Free Day. Not only is it fantastic for your health, but it also doesn’t require a significant amount of pre-planning. Plus, you’ll get an ample amount of fresh air and ditch the occasional body odors associated with public transportation. Depending on your fitness level, 10 to 20 miles is generally the distance cyclists will regularly commute to work.

Benefits of Cycling

Cost-saving advantages are some of the biggest benefits of riding a bike rather than driving a car. Bicycle operation and maintenance costs are significantly lower than that of a car. While there may be an upfront cost of purchasing a bicycle, buying a bike is significantly cheaper than buying a car. Plus, if you can’t afford to buy a bicycle, check for a bike-sharing program in your area.

Riding a bike also eliminates the expense of car oil changes, fuel costs, tire rotations, key fob replacements, and all the other overhead costs associated with maintenance. Plus, unlike a car, you won’t need to register or insure your bike either.

Another advantage of riding a bike is the virtual elimination of your carbon footprint for the day. If taking a bus can reduce your carbon emissions by half, bike riding reduces it even further. By choosing to ride a bike, you are contributing to healthier air quality for everyone today and future generations.

As you can imagine, riding a bike is also a great addition to any healthy lifestyle routine. Not only is it low-impact, but you can also control the intensity level of the ride. Even if you choose to use an e-bike, you’ll still be more active than when you’re driving a car. Cycling can help you achieve a healthy weight and can have dramatic mental benefits, such as decreasing anxiety and depression and boosting your energy levels, mood, and your immune system.

It’s also a great way to get to know your city. Often, traveling in our daily commute nearly becomes a mindless habit, and we miss many of the local hidden gems. Cycling helps you get to know your neighbors, admire landscaping, learn road names, and notice small local businesses that could otherwise go unnoticed. Plus, you’ll get to skip the traffic congestion and take a shortcut, potentially saving you time in the long run.

Preparing to Pedal to Work (Or School) Successfully

Although cycling requires minimal preparation, there are a few steps that should be taken in advance for a successful cycling experience. However, once you’ve done it once, you’ll be ready for a bike ride whenever you feel the urge.

• Plan Your Route: Just as you would when you travel to your destination for the first time in your car, you can use apps and websites like Google Maps and Mapquest to find out how long it takes to get to your destination by bicycle. Not only that, but these map services can also give you the best route to take on a bicycle.
• Invest in Safety Gear: On a bicycle, you don’t have the protection of your vehicle around you. Therefore, it is important to wear a helmet and high-visibility clothing to maximize your safety. Add a flashlight to the front of your bike and flashing lights to the back of your helmet or bike to improve visibility in low-light areas. Sunglasses or cycling glasses are also recommended to keep bugs, rain, sun, and debris out of your eyes. You’ll also want a good quality bike lock to keep your bike safe once you get to your destination.
• Learn Cycling Laws and Etiquette: Just as you need to learn to signal your turns and drive in the correct lane, there are laws and etiquette that should be followed while riding a bike. Learn hand signals, obey traffic laws, and use the appropriate bike lanes when available, as the sidewalk is reserved for pedestrians and it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk with a bike in some cities.
• Check Your Bike: Before going for a ride, it is important to look over your bike to ensure everything is in good mechanical order. Check the brakes, tire pressure, and chain before every ride to avoid mishaps along the way.

Lace Up Your Sneakers and Walk on #CarFreeDay

Walking offers many benefits to those lucky enough to live close to their destinations. Most people who choose to walk do so if they live within one or two miles of their destination. Typically, most people find that a half-mile walk takes about 10 minutes and makes for an enjoyable walk. Twenty minutes seems to be the maximum time pedestrians walk for their daily commutes. However, if you enjoy being outdoors, you could choose to walk further distances for World Car Free Day.

Benefits of Walking

Walking offers many of the same benefits as cycling with regards to the environmental impact. Other than the emissions put out by the factory that produces your walking shoes, your emissions are virtually nonexistent when you choose to walk for World Car Free Day.

Similar to cycling, walking has numerous health benefits. Not only can it improve your overall well-being and physical health by strengthening your cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and helping you achieve or maintain a healthy weight, but it also has mental health benefits. Walking releases chemicals in your brain that improve energy levels, boost your mood, and reduce stress.

Walking can also save money, even more so than cycling. When you ride a bike, you need to invest in a bike and safety gear. However, all you need to become a pedestrian is a pair of good walking shoes. This eliminates nearly every overhead transportation cost.

Walking Successfully on Your Car-Free Commute

Walking to your destination requires a little forethought to ensure a positive World Car Free Day experience. The most important thing you can do is to focus on your time management. Looking up your route in advance using a map service like Google Maps or Mapquest can help you determine how long it will take to get to your destination. Plus, they can help you find a pedestrian-friendly route.

You’ll also want to have a good pair of walking shoes. If you’ve ever been caught on a long day out in the wrong shoes, the residual discomfort and potential blisters should be enough of a reminder of the importance of a good pair of shoes. Quality walking shoes can make walking more comfortable while also protecting your muscles and joints from injury.

You may also want to invest in a small bag to help you carry things. Keep your hands-free and your belongings secured with a small backpack, like a rucksack. Be sure to pack a bottle of water and gear to protect you from the weather, such as a raincoat, umbrella, hat, or sunglasses. You’ll also want something to help you freshen up once you get to your destination, like a fresh shirt, hairbrush, deodorant, and makeup.

Carpool with Friends on #CarFreeDay

Carpooling or car-sharing are flexible alternatives that provide the comfort and convenience of your vehicle while still reducing environmental impacts, especially if you’re too far away to walk or bike to your destination. Plus, carpooling offers rewarding benefits, making it a good transportation alternative solution for your #CarFreeDay.

Benefits of Carpooling

Carpooling to your destination can help you save money by splitting the cost of your commute between all of the passengers in the vehicle. You can split maintenance costs as well as gas, tolls, and parking fees, making carpooling a budget-friendly transportation solution for everyone. Plus, it reduces stress when everyone shares duties equally and gives you time to network and improve relationships.

With multiple passengers in one vehicle going to the same destination, it reduces some of the traffic and parking congestion of the route. Less traffic also helps the environment by reducing air pollution.

Not only does car-sharing help reduce the impact on the environment, it also reduces the stress on your vehicle. Less stress can extend the lifetime of your vehicle.

Carpooling to Success

Like the other car-free alternatives, carpooling does require advanced planning, not the least of which is finding carpooling groups. Thankfully, there are apps and local community boards that are great carpooling resources. If you can’t find one, you can always start a carpooling group.

Once you find a group, it is important to coordinate the details. Work together to plan the schedule, route, pickup times, and pickup points. Consider creating rules that everyone can agree to, such as who drives, who pays, how long the driver should wait, and a backup plan in case of car troubles or illness.

Finally, having a reliable method for group communication can also build confidence and friendships. When there is regular communication between carpooling passengers and drivers, carpooling can be a stress-free and enjoyable experience.

Tips for a Successful Car-Free Day

Living car-free can be a big change in your normal routine, even if it is just for a day. Any disruption of a habitual rhythm can cause anxiety. However, going car-free doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your car-free experience.

Prepare in Advance

Take a little time to get ready for #CarFreeDay before the day arrives. This includes picking out your transportation and planning your route, but also packing the essentials for success. Depending on your chosen temporary transit, you may want to consider packing water, snacks, and a map. You’ll also want to wear comfortable clothing and footwear if you’ve chosen active transportation methods.

You should also mentally plan to go car-free. Remind yourself that it is a fun experience, and it is only for one day. Build excitement with yourself, your family, your neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else who may want to join you on World Car Free Day. If you’re excited about it, you’re less likely to jump in the car and stick to your normal routine.

Stay Flexible

Having a car allows you the freedom to adjust the schedule as needed. However, when your schedule depends on environmental factors or other drivers, it is important to stay flexible and adaptable to the situation. You should always be ready to adjust your plans as needed. If necessary, plan to change to a different transportation option, if possible, depending on what works best that day.

Enjoy the Experience

Going car-free should be a fun and rewarding experience. Remember, it is just for one day and is a good chance to live a different lifestyle. Use the opportunity to explore new areas and take a scenic route. While you’re at it, make new connections along the way.

Extended Warranties: Peace of Mind for Car Owners

Going car-free for a day doesn’t necessarily mean forever. Having a car gives you the freedom to go where you want to go, no matter the distance or the weather. For those times that you do want your vehicle, extended car warranties (also called vehicle service contracts or auto protection plans) can give you peace of mind and cover the cost of mechanical breakdowns when they occur.

Extended warranties offer customizable coverage to fit your vehicle, needs, and budget. Choose from comprehensive coverage similar to that of the bumper-to-bumper factory warranty, or get just the basics through a stated-component contract where you pick the parts that are covered.

Endurance Warranty offers auto protection plans for a wide variety of makes, models, and lifestyles. Plans are available for high-mileage vehicles, older cars, Canadian Grey market vehicles, cars with salvage or rebuilt titles, hybrid or electric cars like Teslas, high-end luxury vehicles, and cars used for rideshare or delivery purposes.

With Endurance, you have the option to choose which parts are covered and which aren’t – meaning you can set your budget and pick the plan that best suits your needs. Plus, you get to choose any ASE Certified auto technician, repair shop, or car dealership you trust for your covered repairs.

We don’t just stop at customizable coverage options. Every Endurance Warranty plan comes with additional benefits free of charge, like 24/7 roadside assistance, lockout services, towing, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. Plus, you have the option to activate a year’s worth of Endurance Elite Benefits to maximize your savings.* Get $2,000 in additional perks like tire repairs and replacements, key fob replacement, and more.

Explore Endurance Coverage for Your Vehicle

It can be fun to imagine living without a car for a day when you plan it in advance, but living car-free can be stressful when it happens unexpectedly due to a mechanical breakdown. Endurance Warranty offers the coverage options you need to help keep your vehicle running smoothly so you can maintain your daily life.

Call an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE quote. You can also shop our eStore to see your plan recommendations and pricing now.