September 22 is World Carfree Day, where all roads will suddenly be closed to cars and trucks, letting pedestrians and cyclists take over miles and miles of public spaces to run, ride, and play in.

Okay — That’s actually just what I fantasize World Carfree Day could look like, but in reality, the cars you see on your city’s roads every day are the same cars you’ll likely see tomorrow. That said, YOU have the opportunity to make the city different on World Carfree Day — by going car free for a day yourself!

Many green LA girl readers are already car-lite and car-free folk, but for the car-free curious who need a little push, here are some inspirational links:

>> Barely use your car — but keep it around for emergencies? Sign up with Getaround to rent out your car and make money off of it when you’re not using it! The service is in Beta, but I’ve gone ahead and sign up — and hope to get an email soon when the company rolls out in my area. Visit Getaround for quick details. Earlier: LAXCarShare: Car sharing returns to Los Angeles neighborhoods.

>> Get inspired to bike more. Remember GOOD’s doodle project, “A Day with a Bike“? One Diane Foley won that doodling contest with a whimsical drawing — that includes a snail, a content cat, and free range cows!

>> Attend an Westside Subway Extension public meeting and get to know your fellow transit advocates, many of whom are car-lite or car-free. The Metro 704 or 720 will take you to any of the meetings! I watched the webcast of the first meeting last night (all meetings have the same content) and was inspired by the many dedicated transit taking Angelenos who spoke up passionately for a subway to the sea — though the current plan may only take us to the VA Hospital…. Get to the meeting for details; the Wed. meeting happens at Plummer Park – Community Center, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.

>> Find out about World Carfree Day celebrations around the world. CityFix has a shortlist of car free events happening tomorrow — including a day full of bike rodeos, rallies and more in Chicago! If you’re in Sofia, Bulgaria, or Shanghai, China, at least parts of your city will be closed off to car traffic!

Image via World Carfree Network

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