Giving up the car, our most frequently used mode of transportation, is certainly not easy for many. Especially for those living in rural areas, the car is often the only viable means of transport. Of course, there’s also the bicycle, but try using that – unless you own a cargo bike – to do the grocery shopping for the whole family when the nearest supermarket is 10 km away.
Rethink behavior
A car-free weekend is achievable, and it can help us rethink our behavior in relation to the environment and find more sustainable alternatives. After all, emissions from the transportation sector play a major role in climate change. The average German household emits more than a quarter of its CO2 equivalents through transportation. Private car journeys account for around an eighth of the greenhouse gas emissions caused in Germany. There are fewer than two people for each registered car. Over the past few decades, our cities have mainly been made comfortable for drivers. According to Prof. Dr. Andreas Knie, a professor at the Technical University of Berlin, public transportation had long been seen as merely a substitute and overflow function for the car society; the goal was deliberately not to build a competitive alternative to the private car. However, many cities around the world now have initiatives calling for a day each week to be completely car-free, thus making the city car-free for a day. These days are usually Sundays when many people have time off and the streets are relatively empty. But what benefits would a car-free weekend have for the climate, and what alternatives are there?
Vorteile
A car-free weekend would significantly reduce our CO2 footprint. Many people drive to work, which already causes emissions that are difficult to avoid. A weekend or even just one car-free day can motivate us to consider more environmentally friendly alternatives. Fewer cars improve air quality and reduce noise pollution, especially in cities. More than 10% of Germans are permanently exposed to harmful traffic noise, even at night. A car-free weekend can thus contribute to making cities cleaner and healthier.
Less trafficked streets make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians, and there is more space for alternative modes of transport. It could also encourage us to eat more consciously. Instead of quickly driving to the supermarket, we could visit the market or the local shop in our neighborhood, or, if possible, shop directly from the farmer around the corner. This supports local businesses and may also reduce the CO2 footprint of our food. Another advantage of a car-free weekend is that it gives us more time to spend in the local area, such as on a nice hike or bike ride, which allows us to connect more with nature and get to know it better.
The Alternatives
Whether it’s a bicycle, e-bike, e-scooter, rollerblades, or simply walking – there are many environmentally friendly alternatives that also allow us to explore our surroundings in a new way. Public transport is also a good option for getting from A to B. However, there are also some challenges that come with car-free days. For many, the car is an important source of mobility that provides a high level of flexibility. Therefore, it’s important that combinations of good alternatives are accessible and feasible for everyone. This includes, for example, improved connections of rural areas to public transport or even reliable public transportation, better infrastructure for bicycles, more rental options for bikes and e-scooters, car sharing, and the expansion of accessibility in public spaces.
Giving up the car is still a challenge today, but above all, it’s an opportunity to discover our environment in a new way and make our lives more sustainable. No one has to miss out on experiences; it just requires a bit more planning. In the distant future, the use of cars will hopefully be the exception.
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