Addis Ababa Goes Traffic Free For A Day

Addis Ababa Goes Traffic Free For A Day
On January 13th, the citizens of Addis Ababa celebrated Ethiopia’s third Car Free Day by transforming public streets into vibrant community spaces. Thousands of people turned out en masse to participate in healthy activities such as group exercise, football games, and skateboard gatherings. Car Free Day was established as a national event by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Amir Abiy, who endorses the event as a vital way to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce pollution, and improve overall quality of life. On Car Free Day, the public is encouraged to walk or bike to work and several public streets are closed to vehicle traffic. Since its inception in 2018, Car Free Day has been embraced by Addis Ababa and many other cities throughout Ethiopia.