Central Paris moves toward car-free future！Champs-Élysées to become a massive pedestrian zone

▲Current traffic conditions on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. (Photo/Wikipedia)

By Rita

After several experimental programs aimed at reducing road traffic, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo recently announced her hope to cut the number of private vehicles in the city center by half—after all, cars not only increase air pollution but also worsen urban traffic congestion.

According to a report by Lonely Planet,The Champs-Élysées in central Paris is moving toward a “car-free” goal, and could eventually transform into a massive pedestrian zone. For now, only one full day per month is completely vehicle-free. As an alternative to driving, the city hall plans to add more bike lanes and new tram lines to offer residents new transportation options.

Due to the severity of pollution issues, public transport in Paris was made free in December to encourage people to use it. The mayor stated that the ultimate goal is to make the area fully pedestrianized. However, local residents will still be allowed to drive, including police, emergency services, and taxis. And it’s not just Paris—capitals around the world are moving toward this goal.