“EVERY day is a great day to take a few cars off the road.”
This has been the justification for car-free days since it emerged in the 1990s.
Nowadays, sustainability is considered one of the biggest concerns of many societies. Since vehicles were invented in 1886, people have favoured as well as protested against the use of motor vehicles.
Today, there are more than a billion vehicles on the road, and most of them consume fuel and consequently pollute the environment. Different countries have implemented car-free days since 1994, when it was first launched in Spain.
Up until August 2015, 822 cities around the world have participated in sustainable transport policies. The aim of this programme is to be more environmentally-friendly, resulting in a higher quality of life for citizens by encouraging motorists to give up their cars.
One such initiative is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) car-free day, proposed by Campus Sustainability in Skudai, Johor.
The programme started last December and runs on the first Thursday of each month from 8am to 6pm.
Car-free days can have a great impact on encouraging people to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
Through not using carbon emitting vehicles, people limit the use of natural resources and instead adopt a healthier lifestyle by using bicycles or walking.
The advantages of such a day not only reduces the effects of global warming but also impacts health.
Walking for 30 minutes every day can increase your metabolism and relieve tension. Therefore, car-free days are a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle, especially for university students who sit for hours on end and are stressed about their studies.
UTM tries to provide shuttle buses and bicycles for students and staff to use on these special days.
Car-free days are also a platform to educate the public on sustainability goals.
Those at UTM, as well as across the country, are encouraged to use greener modes of transport. This can bring about more awareness on how to appreciate the environment and try to conserve it for the next generation.
Fewer cars can also lead to more friendships as people get the opportunity to make their way to their destinations with others.
Dr Shirin Shafiei Ebrahimi,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor