Media Contact:  John Lisle at (202) 671-2004

WASHINGTON, DC — The District of Columbia is planning a citywide celebration of Car Free Day on September 22. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is encouraging DC residents and commuters to participate by leaving their cars at home, or going “car lite” by carpooling or vanpooling. Car Free Day is an international event held each year to reduce pollution and promote alternative modes of transportation including transit, bicycling, and walking. By taking cars off District streets, it also gives people who live and work here a chance to see what their neighborhoods would look like with a lot less traffic.

“Car Free Day is a great opportunity for everyone to be part of the solution to the problems we all face: high gas prices, poor air quality and terrible traffic congestion,” said Mayor Fenty. “The more people who share a ride, take the bus, ride the rails, bike or walk, instead of driving, the more we will all benefit.”

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a Car Free Day Street Celebration at 7th & F Streets, NW from 11 am – 3 pm. (Traffic Advisory: F Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 7th and 9th Streets from 10 am – 4 pm).

There will be live music, yoga classes, free t-shirts and giveaways, Segway demonstrations, and free bike tune-ups. Participants can also sign up for the District’s new bike-sharing program and take a SmartBike for a test ride, or learn how to attach their own bikes to a Metrobus.

Anyone who usually drives around the District is urged to take the Car Free Challenge at carfreemetrodc.com. They could win prizes, and they don’t need to worry about getting around town because DDOT will offer free Circulator Bus rides all day September 22.

The District will also distribute four thousand free SmarTrip cards to Metrorail and Metrobus riders on Car Free Day. Metro plans to phase out paper bus transfers early next year and the District wants to ensure residents are aware of and prepared for the impending change.

Car Free Day was first celebrated in the District in September, 2007 with approximately 1,000 participants committing to be car free for the day. This year the local event is expanding to encompass the entire Washington Metropolitan Area.  For a complete list of participating jurisdictions, visit carfreemetrodc.com.