Fourth Annual Car Free Day

Long Beach is one of the thousands of cities around the world participating in Car Free Day
Long Beach is one of the thousands of cities around the world participating in Car Free Day

Long Island will be joining 1,500 cities in 40 countries around the world in celebrating International Car Free Day on Thursday, Sept. 22. For the Fourth Annual Car Free Day Long Island, more than 2,400 Long Islanders have already pledged to leave their cars home or drive less—and try more sustainable modes of travel. When possible, carpool, bicycle or walk, or take the Long Island Railroad or a bus.

Last year for Car Free Day LI, 2,855 Long Islanders pledged to be car free or car-lite, saving more than 72,000 miles of driving as well as 36 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Bicycles can be rented on the Long Beach boardwalk for $5 an hour or $50 for the season
Bicycles can be rented on the Long Beach boardwalk for $5 an hour or $50 for the season

More than 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions generated on Long Island are attributable to transportation, according to 2013 Cleaner Greener Long Island Regional Sustainability Plan.

Ozone pollution poses multiple, serious threats to health.  Automobile use is one factor that contributes to high ozone levels. According to recent census data, nearly 70 percent of Nassau County and 80 percent of Suffolk County residents drive to work alone.

One community making an impact is Long Beach, where you can rent a bicycle on the boardwalk for $5 an hour or $50 for the whole season. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if more Long Island communities offered this service?

Pledge to go car free or car-lite at the Car Free Day LI website, www.carfreedayli.com. Whether commuting to work or school, or running errands around town, using your car less qualifies for participation in Car Free Day LI.

Even those who are already using alternatives modes of transportation can take the pledge. Participants are eligible to win raffle prizes including commuter bikes, gift cards, and theater and sports tickets.

Special Events

Several events are being planned in support of the event. The LI Bus Riders Union will host their 3rd annual Rate the Ride event on Sept. 19 and 20, highlighting the many Long Island locations accessible by NICE Bus and Suffolk County Transit buses.

On Sept. 22, Suffolk County and Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) will jointly host a Car Free Day LI Summit at the SCCC Ammerman Campus in Selden, at Brookhaven Gym, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and SCCC President Shaun McKay will kickoff the event and speakers will discuss several sustainable transportation options including Bus Rapid Transit and bike sharing.

Later that evening, the Wyandanch Plaza Association and the Town of Babylon will welcome commuters and residents on their way home, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with music and refreshments at the Car Free Day LI Celebration at Wyandanch Plaza, steps from the Wyandanch Village transit oriented development, the Wyandanch LIRR station and parking facility and Suffolk County Transit bus stop. Exhibitors including 511NYRideshare, Transit Solutions, Sustainable Long Island and Commuter Benefit Solutions will provide information on sustainable transportation alternatives.

Previous articleStrides Against Suicide
Next articleCholesterol 101
Sheri ArbitalJacoby
Sheri ArbitalJacoby brought more than three decades of publishing experience at national magazines to her former position as editor of the Great Neck Record. She also wrote decorating, travel, food and green articles for Long Island Weekly and Anton Media Group's special sections.

Leave a Reply

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Summertime Art

Museums are a great place to get out of the hot, summer air into air conditioning. They are also great places to see some...

Memorial Day: Remember The Fallen

On May 29, the United States will observe Memorial Day, which is a day set aside to remember the men and women who have...

Tour Les Jours Opens In Great Neck

TOUS les JOURS, a French-Asian bakery café chain offering more than 300 artisan pastries, gourmet cakes and desserts baked in-store daily, has opened its...

Long Island Sailor Serving Aboard Ship In Japan

Seaman Theodore Flanc, a native of Huntington Station serves in Yokosuka, Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship. Flanc joined the Navy one year ago....

WWII Weekend Returns To Armor Museum: June 10

Long Islanders will be able to honor the heroes in their own families as vintage tanks rumble by and World War II reenactors engage...

Get Updates Via Email

Enter your email to be updated with all the latest news and special announcements.

x