D.C. Metro Area Encouraged to Go Car Free

How are you getting to work tomorrow morning?

The Washington metro area will participate in the 11th annual World Car Free Day, taking place Thursday. The event has come together over the years through the work of the World Carfree Network to encourage awareness of our dependence on cars.

According to the World Car Free Day website, the event is meant to promote "more sustainable ways of transportation and new ways of building and thinking [about] the urbanism of our cities, allowing streets to be a living space, rather than only a transit space."

Multiple commuter options throughout the area will participate in the event with promotions and giveaways. Montgomery County Commuter Services, North Bethesda Transportation Center and Bethesda Transportation Solution will host free giveaways and prize drawings between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring and Twinbrook Metrorail stations. Prizes include a Wi-Fi Kindle and a $250 SmarTrip card.

More than 10,000 people have already pledged to use other means of transportation on Thursday, according to the Car Free Day in Metro D.C. website. The pledge includes alternative transportation options such as cycling, walking or using the Metrorail and bus services.

For more information regarding Car Free Day in Metro D.C., call 1-800-745-RIDE.