Minneapolis City Council Declares Thursday Car-Free Day

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis City Council has declared Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 as Car-Free Day.

Minneapolis residents are encouraged to carpool, use public transit, walk or bike instead of driving a single-occupancy vehicle.

Read the full text of the resolution below:

Declaring September 22nd as World Car-Free Day in the City of Minneapolis

Whereas, the world has been celebrating “World Car-Free Day” since 2000 as a means for the education about and promotion of alternative forms of transportation; and
Whereas, clean air is a universal necessity and every effort should be made to improve and preserve air quality; and
Whereas, the Downtown TMO, Move Minneapolis, has been and will continue to be instrumental in reducing CO2 in our atmosphere by promoting sustainable transportation alternatives; and
Whereas, bike sharing and bike commuting have contributed to reducing the number of drive-alone trips in Minneapolis; and
Whereas, carpooling, car sharing, bike sharing, bike commuting and public transit have contributed to reducing the number of drive-alone trips in the city and are instrumental in reducing traffic congestion and the number of vehicles on our roadways and consequently the cost of maintenance and repair to those roadways; and
Whereas, reducing carbon emissions and traffic in the City of Minneapolis for one day will offer health benefits to all and will demonstrate global solidarity.
Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor & the City Council of the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of the people of Minneapolis, hereby declare September 22, 2016 as World Car-Free Day in the City of Minneapolis.

Image: Tony Webster via Flickr /Creative Commons