Free Republic

Paris’s “day without cars” last week led to such a dramatic drop in both air and noise pollution that the mayor’s office is now planning more vehicle-free days in the French capital. Airparif, which measures city pollution levels, said levels of nitrogen dioxide dropped by up to 40% in parts of the city on Sunday 27 September... Najdovski, a member of the Europe Ecology-Green (EELV) party, admitted he was disappointed that only one third of Paris was handed over to pedestrians and cyclists on 27 September... added: “My dream Paris would be a city without cars.

The (Irish) Automobile Association has confirmed that European Car Free Day turned out to be the busiest day of the month so far on Dublin's roads. Spokesman Conor Faughnan said it was ironic that bad weather conditions had resulted in a heavier traffic flow. Ireland took part in the annual event for the fifth year. Over 1,000 European towns and cities, including 20 in Ireland, participated. People were encouraged to explore alternative forms of transport with work colleagues and school children urged to avail of car pooling, cycling, public transport options and walking to work or school. Many countries throughout...