Car Free Day ~ Reimagined!

This year, along with Greater Mercer TMA, we are celebrating Car Free Day Reimagined.  In response to COVID-19, many of us have already made changes to our daily commutes.  More folks are walking and biking and many are working on a hybrid schedule.  So this year, we celebrate Car Free and all the changes commuters have made this year.

Over the past 18 months and as a result of going #CarFree, we have seen an increased awareness of walking and cycling infrastructure across both Middlesex & Mercer Counties.  We also experienced better air quality and a high focus on our health and well-being.  Best of all, we find commuters are exploring and supporting their local businesses as a result of the commute change.

As we move ahead, we hope that commuters will maintain a part of their “new commute” methods.  We have witnessed that even the smallest change can make a significant impact.  So this week, we encourage everyone to share how they are commuting to work.

🚙Carpool or Vanpool – snap a photo with your partners!
🚍Take an NJ TRANSIT bus or train – snap a photo of your favorite spot along the commute!
🚲Riding your bike or walking to work or school – share with us how many miles you biked or walked!
💻Are you still working from home? Share with us a photo of your workspace or what you like most about working from home!
You’ve Reimagined your city car-free! 🌳♥️🌎  Let’s keep that going strong.
Email photos to cfowler@kmm.org or tag us #goCarFreeNJ on social media.  Also, take the pledge!

Take the Car Free Challenge!

Join hundreds of Middlesex County commuters and millions of commuters everywhere in going Car Free or Car Lite on September 22, 2014. KMM will host a week-long event from September 21st to September 26th where we challenge you to try going Car Free or Car Lite just once during the week-long celebration.

Register and pledge to take the challenge. Everyone who registers is entered to win a host of prizes, such as:

  • Travel Mug + $10 Dunkin Donuts Gift Cardcar_v6
  • Travel Ear buds and $20 iTunes gift card
  • Travel Water Bottle and $20 Amazon Gift Card
  • Amazon Kindle reader

 

What is Car Free? 

Car Free Week is a worldwide movement to raise awareness about the negative impacts motor vehicles have on our environment. Car Free Week encourages people to reduce dependence on automobiles by Going Car Free or Car Lite for one day.

 

When did the Car Free Movement Begin?

The first official Car Free Day occurred in Europe on September 22, 1999. By 2005, over 112 million people worldwide participated in Car Free Day.

 

Why go Car Free?

Our dependence on the automobile harms our planet, our communities, and our lives. Noise and air pollution, traffic congestion, safety concerns make our cities and towns less attractive and less desirable. Going Car Free or Car Lite saves on gas and reduces wear and tear on your car. Walking or bicycling promotes fitness and health. Car Free Month can reconnect neighbors and neighborhoods.

 

Can you live without your car for one day?

Not sure you can do it?  Here are some easy ways to start!

  • Take a train or bus
  • Ride a bike
  • Walk to lunch
  • Bring a brown bag lunch
  • Work from home
  • Carpool or Vanpool

Are you ready to take the Car Free Challenge?

 Register today and make a change!

 

Try it! Go Car Lite!

logoFor the 8th year, Keep Middlesex Moving, (KMM), Middlesex County’s commuter services organization, is joining a worldwide movement to support Car Free Day on September 22, 2013.  Car Free Day started in Iceland, England, and France in 1995 to raise awareness about the negative impacts motor vehicles have on our environment.

KMM will kick off this initiative on September 19, 2013 at Jimmy John’s located at 8 Easton Avenue in the heart of New Brunswick.  WCTC 1410AM’s very own Tommy G will be broadcasting live from Jimmy John’s between 12pm and 3pm.  Prizes will be given away to those who stop by the location during the program run time!

On Car Free Day (9/22/13) or any day during the week of September 15th to September 28th, KMM urges commuters to take the Car Free Pledge and recommends the following alternatives:

 

Use public transportation – a train, a bus, or light rail

Ride a bike or take a walk

Carpool or Vanpool

Bring a brown bag lunch or walk to grab a bite to eat

Work from home

 

Commuters who pledge to go Car Free or Car Lite can register at www.kmm.org.  They will be entered into a drawing to win host of prizes including a $50 gift card from Magyar Bank or a Heldrich Spa Gift Certificate or State Theater New Brunswick Tickets or Rutgers Football Ticket Basket or Fragrance Basket from Firmenich Inc.!   For more information or to register for the event, log on to www.kmm.org .   Deadline for registrations is September 21, 2013.