Explore Car-Free Downtown Tampa on World Car-Free Day!

On Sunday, people from all corners of the globe, including those in Downtown Tampa, set aside their car keys and embraced walking for “World Car-Free Day.”

When Joseph Tempchin discovered that Tampa would join the celebrations, he and his wife quickly purchased a bike.

“It’s so nice here year-round so it’s a lot easier. I just came from Maine where it’s cold and windy,” Tempchin shared. “So it’s nice to get out.”

This event was the ideal kickstart to a new hobby, allowing them to explore their new home in a refreshing way.

This year’s World Car-Free Day encompassed over six miles of Tampa, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

“I’ve got friends that like to ride bicycles through the neighborhood so this was a great opportunity just to get a good reason to get out, the first day of fall kind of thing,” said biker Eddie Hamp.

The event seamlessly connected downtown, midtown, and Ybor City, enhancing community spirit.

Organized by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Walk Bike Tampa, one of their key objectives was to demonstrate how simple it can be to protect the environment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, cars are a leading contributor to global warming and a primary source of air pollutants.

“People don’t understand how much transportation decisions impact the quality of life,” stated Karen Kress, Senior Director of Planning and Transportation at the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “The city’s done a great job of pouring more concrete to protect you from cars.”

Just because World Car-Free Day has come to a close doesn’t mean you have to wait until next year to opt for a more sustainable mode of transportation. The Tampa Downtown Partnership provides electric DASH cars, enabling you to choose sustainability every day in Downtown Tampa. WFLA initially published the story.

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