PARIS: For its third year, the Car Free Day sees big by extending its scope to all Paris …
The third year of the Car Free Day is held in Paris today, Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. If you have questions, do not panic, here are the answers:
What is this device?
As its name suggests, the car-free day is an event during which all motor vehicles are prohibited in the capital. This day aims to improve air quality in Paris and allow residents to enjoy their city in a somewhat calmer than usual.
Where and when ?
Confined to a small area for 2015 and 2016 editions, the Car Free Day this year will be extended to all of central Paris. The Mayor Anne Hidalgo (PS) hope to go even further in 2018 by extending the prohibition to travel to bordering Paris. A total of 113 filter dams will be set up all around the city to ensure compliance of the device, which will involve some “560 municipal employees” and “400 agents” of the prefecture, according to Christophe Najdovski, Deputy EELV to transport Paris city Hall, quoted by AFP. The Car Free Day will be held from 11 am to 6 pm.
Who will move?
Exceptions are however possible to get out of Paris, go home, visit a sick relative … The Moving vehicles with a parking permit, tourist coaches, medical professionals, parking cardholders Disabled and professionals to make a delivery and presenting proof, will also circulate in their sectors. Public transport, which will not be free, emergency vehicles, rescue and troubleshooting, taxis and bikes, will also be allowed, but limited to a speed of 30 km/h maximum.
What are the sanctions?
The measure for the Violators who break the rules will be fined. The fine amounts to 315 euros.
What reactions of local residents?
If many Parisians are delighted by this measure, it does not unanimously and raises challenges. Thus, Udelcim, association “defends the right to move freely in Paris,” has decided to organize, with the support of the association 40 million motorists, a snail operation on the Paris ring road. A Facebook group calling for even ride on bike paths in the capital. In 2016, the comedian Fabrice Eboué had pushed a rant against the Car Free Day.
What impact on the environment?
The device of the Car Free Day responds to environmental concerns, the aim being to improve the air quality in the capital. To measure these beneficial effects on the environment, the association Airparif conduct surveys at regular intervals throughout the day. A bicycle equipped with measuring devices also circulate in Paris to educate people. Noise pollution will also be measured, since the observatory Bruitparif install 11 monitoring stations in the city, and will broadcast live and online comparative results with the previous edition.
A Parisian specificity?
Paris is not the only city to have implemented such a device. Days without car indeed took place in several cities including New York, Marrakech, Casablanca or Brussels who, in 2017, banned traffic on 160 km2, a broader scope than in the French capital.
According to figures released Thursday by the Mayor of Paris, traffic would have fallen last year by more than 3% in the capital.
You live in Paris and you rejoice that Car Free Day. Tell us what you have planned or done today? Or instead, you would have liked to freely circulate in Paris this Sunday? Tell us how you experienced this day
