France to ban cars in Paris for one day next month

[Capt. Obvious]

allowing pedestrians and bicyclists free reign of the urban landscape free of cars.

For a single day next month, locals and visitors will be able to experience Paris without motorized traffic, giving the city over to pedestrians and bikers. Free of traffic congestion, noise pollution and vehicle emissions, the Day Without Cars will transform the physical and auditory landscape, enabling views and revealing ambient sounds ordinarily drowned out by the urban cacophony on September 27th.

Timed to coincide with a United Nations climate conference and European Mobility Week, the move is partially a display of possibilities for car-free cities as well as a statement about the environment. The 1st through 7th, 10th and 11th arrondissements (city sections) will all participate; monuments and gathering spaces such as the Champs Élysées, the Bastille, and the Eiffel Tower are included as well.

Other metropolitan areas around the world including Montreal, Bogota, Mexico City and Ho Chi Minh City are following France’s lead and instituting similar vehicular restrictions to various degrees. In such cities, photographers will be able to stand in the streets, capturing unique shots of urban architecture and infrastructure without the risk of being run over. Facing increased traffic, cities like London and Los Angeles are already considering ways in which to permanently reduce congestion and give over areas to mass transit, cyclists and pedestrians.

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Source

Imagine any big city anywhere in the world without traffic just for a day. Now, if that city were Paris, imagine further the photographic possibilities, not to mention the visual, auditory and olfactory potential.

Imagine no more because on September 27th, that’s just what Paris is going to do: “Une Journée Sans Voiture” – A Day Without Car, for the first time in the city’s history.

City Hall calls it “a crazy gamble, but achievable.” No motorized vehicle, with a few exceptions like ambulances, will be allowed to drive the streets. As Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced in March: “Paris will be completely transformed for a day. This is an opportunity for Parisians and tourists to enjoy the city without noise, pollution and therefore without stress.”

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Forbes

[FSogol]

1. The first time in the city's history? Paris was founded in 3rd century BC and became the largest

city in the 12th century. What type of cars did they use in the 12th Century?



Cool idea, but should be named, "Paris: Call in sick, Day."

[underahedgerow]

2. They did this a couple years ago on a Sunday and it was SPECTACULAR!

People got out and walked, families, friends, biking, walking, skating, skateboarding, even on horseback! I wish they would do this on a weekday and really freak everyone out. It's weird that they're saying it's the first time, but maybe they're expanding to a wider area. I was in the city center, so maybe it's bigger this time.

That being said, hands down, Paris has the best comprehensive mass transit and alternative transport network in the world. Between their Auto-lib (communal electric cars) velo-lib (bikes) and now Moto-lib (scooters), taxis, (many electric taxis too), the metro and their fantastic bus system, it's a very easy city to get around without owning a car!

[DetlefK]

3. Be careful if getting around there WITH a car.

I was on vacation there for a week many years ago. Nobody bothered to look at the traffic-lights, neither pedestrians nor cars. Instead they used a traffic-system where you yield to the car coming from the right side. All. The. Time.

It worked, but I found it strange that these alternative rules of the road were followed instead of the real ones.

[yeoman6987]

5. What about tourists who already paid for tours on bus'

i hope they get a refund or that they knew about this ahead of time. Taxis a day without pay. Sounds good but for every good deed...

[underahedgerow]

6. The buses are running regular Sunday schedules, and taxis & tour buses won't be restricted at all.

Just the personal cars.

It's been thunk of!

[yeoman6987]

9. Oh thank you. That is great for everyone!

[whatthehey]

8. Oh I'm sure it's spectacular for the able bodied

Just makes it a no-go area for many disabled though. I have about a 200 mtr range and cannot handle high steps. Public transportation for me is useless, and yes I've been to Paris and know what theirs is like.

[Fred Sanders]

4. Now if they banned all wireless communication at the same time....and set up Smart Benches.

[underahedgerow]

7. This is a cool article that expands further upon the principle. Many other cities are also working

reducing and eliminating cars in cities.


http://weburbanist.com/2015/08/30/car-free-paris-french-capital-bans-motor-vehicles-for-1-day/