One of the most difficult things to deal with in big cities is gridlock. We’re talking about traffic – all that roadway-congesting, noisy, bumper-to-bumper frustration that can eke the joy and beauty out of any commute, road trip or city break. Local government officials in Paris seem just as fed up and so this year, for the second year in a row, they’ve declared September 25, the day of Journee Sans Voiture, aka Car Free Day. Here’s how it all went down last year. According to the city’s official website, after the success of the Car Free Day last year, the City renews this year’s event, expanding the scope to multiply by five the controlled sector in central Paris. Educating residents on the need to change their position vis-à-vis behaviour of the car is one of the objectives of the day, which also aims to be a symbol to show that cities can and must invent concrete situations to fight against pollution air-related traffic. The car free day started as an initiative of the NGO Paris Sans Voiture, whose website explains, the day is designed to educate drivers and encourage them to adopt sustainable behaviour’s, particularly in the area of mobility. This is an opportunity to reflect on sharing public space and accelerate behaviour change positively imagining the city of tomorrow. The organisation hopes to one day expand the project to the entirety of France. Car Free Day in Paris will take place from September 25 from 11am to 6pm and will involve 45 percent of Paris, about 147 square miles, where motorised vehicles will be replaced with pedestrians and pedestrian- and family-friendly activities including community-organised outdoor entertainment and educational workshops for children. All motorised vehicles, including electric vehicles, are banned from roads that day, but bicycles are allowed.