Downtown Oakland CarFree Day

Downtown Oakland CarFree Day

September 23, 2004


The City of Oakland is joining with dozens of cities around the globe to observe World CarFree Day. Oakland’s event is scheduled for Thursday, September 23, 2004, to coincide with the Regional “Rideshare Thursdays” promotion, which encourages commuters to use commute alternatives. A transportation fair will be held at Frank Ogawa Plaza (14th and Broadway) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. A press conference is scheduled for noon on City Hall steps.

The City of Oakland and the CarFree Day Steering Committee - a consortium of area businesses, employers, transit agencies and nonprofit groups – are organizing the event. On CarFree Day, commuters will be encouraged to try an alternative to driving alone to work. Event festivities include displays, demonstrations, music, fun activities, and prizes.

This event will be a great opportunity for everyone to learn about and experience available travel options. Information will be displayed by a broad representation of organizations that provide services, make policy and build projects that encourage using public transit, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, walking, telecommuting and smart growth. Less car-dependent living has many benefits, including decreased traffic congestion, better air quality, more free time, better health and less sprawl.

The Downtown Oakland CarFree Day event will be promoted to Oakland employers and their employees, transit users, downtown shoppers and area residents.

World CarFree Day became an annual event in 2000 and last year garnered participation from 295 cities and towns in Europe as well as seven cities in the United States and numerous others from Edmonton to Adelaide to New Delhi.

Additional information and updates are available on the event website at http://www.carfreecity.us/Oakland.html. Or contact Gus Yates of CarFree City USA (510-849-4412, gus@carfreecity.us) or Jackie Stiasny of RIDES for Bay Area Commuters (jstiasny@rides.org, 510-273-2070).