In many developed countries, automobiles dominate the roads. In the United States, in particular, city planning prioritizes moving cars as efficiently as possible, often neglecting infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation.
A clear example of this is the standard bike lane typically a narrow, unprotected strip along the shoulder, often fragmented and inconsistent.
However, an increasing number of cities are taking steps to limit or completely ban cars, encouraging public transportation, cycling, and pedestrian-friendly initiatives.
Beyond the obvious environmental advantages, reducing urban traffic has been linked to improved health, greater happiness, stronger community connections, and more!
While a fully car-free culture may not be feasible for every city or town, there are numerous ways to significantly limit car usage while enhancing other transportation options.
Some methods include outright bans, congestion pricing, and expanding infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Let’s explore the benefits of car bans and examine some cities that have successfully implemented them.
The Benefits of Banning Cars in Cities
Consider how you typically navigate your city or town. Do you walk, bike, take a bus, or ride the metro? If you live in the U.S. excluding places like Washington D.C. or New York City your answer is likely none of these.
Data from 2013 showed that 86% of Americans commuted to work using a private vehicle, with over 88% of those trips made alone rather than through carpooling.
Although slightly better, a 2017 study of European countries revealed a similar trend: 75% of workers commuted primarily by personal vehicle, while 16% relied on public transportation, 6% walked, and only 2% biked.
However, these numbers vary significantly between cities. For example, in Strasbourg and Grenoble, 17% of commuters used bicycles much higher than the average 2% (or 6% in urban centers as of 2020).
More cities are making car travel more difficult whether by banning cars in downtown areas, imposing tolls, or investing in public transportation and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
But why? There are numerous advantages to reducing car dependence, both within cities and overall. Here are the top ten benefits:
1. Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation accounts for 29% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions more than any other sector.
While long-haul trucks, airplanes, and buses contribute, personal vehicles and small trucks are the primary sources.
It’s undeniable that vehicle emissions accelerate climate change. Even electric vehicles, though generally cleaner than gas-powered ones, still depend on energy sources that often come from fossil fuels.
A single car emits around 24 pounds of GHG per gallon of gas burned. While some of these emissions stem from oil extraction and refinement, the majority are released during combustion.
Reducing car travel can significantly lower global emissions, helping to mitigate climate change.
2. Less Air Pollution
Vehicle emissions not only contribute to climate change but also cause severe air pollution. This is most noticeable in major cities like Los Angeles, where a persistent gray haze known as smog can obscure the sky.
Smog isn’t just unsightly; it’s hazardous to health. Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, has been linked to “diminished lung function, increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for asthma, and increases in premature deaths.”
Reducing car traffic would improve air quality, benefiting both respiratory health and overall city aesthetics.
Also Read: Top Solar Car Battery Chargers to Keep Your Vehicle Powered Anywhere
3. Better Physical Health
Beyond cleaner air, restricting cars encourages more active modes of transportation like walking and cycling. These activities rank higher on the sustainable transportation hierarchy and offer substantial health benefits.
Unlike sitting in a vehicle, walking and biking are forms of exercise that enhance physical fitness, reduce stress hormones like cortisol, boost immunity, regulate circadian rhythms, and increase dopamine levels, which are linked to energy and mood improvement.
Even public transportation is a more active alternative to driving, often requiring some walking and standing.
Studies have shown that standing burns more calories than sitting and helps mitigate the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Increased Happiness
While happiness is subjective, studies indicate that commuting by bike is associated with higher life satisfaction. Unlike driving or using public transit both of which can be stressful due to traffic and delays cycling and walking tend to be smooth, uninterrupted experiences.
Additionally, physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which promote happiness and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
5. Stronger Community Connections
When driving, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your surroundings. By contrast, walking, biking, and using public transportation increase opportunities for social interaction.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of isolation, which has been linked to severe health risks, including dementia, heart disease, and depression.
Conversely, regular socializing enhances oxytocin levels, fosters positive interactions, and strengthens community bonds.
Next time you walk or bike, try greeting your neighbors you may be surprised by the sense of connection it fosters.
6. Boosted Local Economies
As brick-and-mortar stores struggle to compete with online retailers, local businesses need support more than ever. Car-free city centers can boost local economies by encouraging foot traffic, leading to higher sales for nearby shops and restaurants.
For example, businesses along 9th Avenue in New York saw increased sales after the city built protected bike lanes.
7. Safer Streets
In 2021, nearly 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., including nearly 1,000 cyclists.
Reducing car traffic makes cities safer for everyone especially pedestrians and children. Car-free areas provide safer spaces for kids to play, free from the dangers of speeding vehicles.
Even if a full ban isn’t feasible, cities can enhance safety by constructing protected bike lanes with clear, visible markings.
8. Reduced Traffic Congestion
A car-free city naturally experiences less congestion. This results in less stress, less noise pollution, and a more pleasant urban experience overall.
9. Higher Property Values
When cities invest in pedestrian- and bike-friendly spaces, property values tend to rise. For instance, Dallas has been converting parking lots into parks, enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal and boosting real estate prices.
Though some homeowners initially resist such changes, fearing a loss of privacy or parking, studies suggest that well-planned bike paths and green spaces increase home values.
10. Lower Transportation Costs
Owning a car is expensive not just the purchase itself, but also gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking fees.
In contrast, walking, biking, and public transportation are more cost-effective. While public transit can be pricey in some areas, investments in infrastructure can drive down long-term costs, especially as fuel prices continue to rise.
Also Read: Why Gas Cars Will Still Be Around as the EPA Pushes for an Electric Future
Cities That Have Implemented Car Restrictions
Many cities worldwide have restricted personal vehicle use, often starting with small-scale bans before expanding citywide. Here are some examples:
- Ghent, Belgium: Banned cars in the city center since 1996, with additional car-free Sundays and emissions-based entry fees.
- Oslo, Norway: Replaced hundreds of parking spaces with bike lanes and mini-parks, leading to increased public space and thriving businesses.
- Madrid, Spain: Prohibits non-resident vehicles in the city center and restricts high-emission vehicles under its Madrid 360 plan.
- Saas-Fee, Switzerland: Car-free since 1951, requiring visitors to park outside town.
- Paris, France: Plans to ban through-traffic in the city center by 2024 and phase out gas-powered cars by 2030.
- Venice, Italy: Has always been car-free due to its medieval design and commitment to preserving its historic layout.
- Santa Catalina Island, California: Strictly limits car use, favoring golf carts and pedestrian-friendly zones.
Steps Toward a Car-Free Future
While fully eliminating cars may not be practical everywhere, cities can implement various measures to reclaim streets for people, such as:
- Creating pedestrian-only downtown areas.
- Converting parking spaces into green spaces.
- Imposing congestion tolls.
- Restricting high-emission vehicles.
- Establishing citywide car-free days.
- Expanding protected bike lanes.
Shifting away from car dependence requires both cultural and infrastructural change. While these transformations take time, they can profoundly improve urban life.
The power to enact change lies with individuals by voting, contacting representatives, and choosing sustainable transportation whenever possible. The movement toward car-free cities has already begun; now, it’s up to communities to accelerate the transition.