Paris is for walkers and cyclists as city bans cars for day

[sandensea]

Parisians and tourists were encouraged to stroll through the City of Light on Sunday as officials banned cars from its streets for a day.

Paris has experimented with car-free days in the past, but Sunday marked the first time the entire city was handed over to ramblers, cyclists and roller-bladers.

Only emergency vehicles, buses and taxis were allowed on the streets from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Paris time.

"It's nice for the air quality, for enjoying the city, walking around without any noise, without any risk to be run over by a car," Maxime Denis said as he strolled near Place de la République in the city center. "But it should be a real no car day. There are still a few so we are careful."

Another resident, François Boillat, noted that "as a Parisian, I only use public transport all the time, even though I have a car buried in a sixth basement car park and I barely use it. It is a bit stupid. I should sell it."

At: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/Paris-bans-all-cars-from-the-whole-city-for-a-day-12244314.php

[tirebiter]

1. In the summer of 2001 I was in Paris

One of the odder things I saw was a pack of skateboarders being chased by cops on bikes. Then there was a a moment and another pack of skaters was following behind the cops mocking them.

[Canoe52]

2. Was in Paris a week ago, I just missed it!

Fell in love with France while there. Wow, way cool country! Wanna go back!!

[OceanPete]

3. Grew up there in '50's

used to bike across the city from Parc Vincennes to bois de Boulogne in 15 minutes! Took me over two hours for same a few years ago by car. And, the Quays of the Seine were strictly for pedestrians with no auto-routes (freeways) Thomas Wolfe said it all in "you cant go home again!"