Car-free streets reduce noise and air pollution. More cities should have them

People at a pedestrian zone for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament on June 15, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Car‑free streets reduce noise and air pollution. More cities should have them Published: July 16, 2026 1.51pm EDT Share article Print article Every summer, cities around the world host car-free days and temporarily pedestrianize streets. Following their success elsewhere in the world, temporary pedestrianized streets are becoming more common in North America, such as for large sporting events, cultural festivals and farmers’ markets. This year, as part of the FIFA World Cup, some cities in North America created pedestrianized fan zones for spectators and visitors. In Vancouver, the city pedestrianized a large stretch of Granville St. in the downtown core. Doing so can help support local businesses, give public spaces back to people and retrieve them from cars. The City of Vancouver recently announced that Granville St. will remain pedestrianized until at least September. Pedestrianized streets emerged in Europe more than seven decades ago. The two most notable precedents are Lijnbaan in Rotterdam and Strøget in Copenhagen. Despite apprehension from some business owners and a minority of drivers, many success stories have put those concerns to rest while often exceeding expectations. These streets have proven to be major draws for pedestrians and cyclists, yielding increased economic activity without needing to inefficiently devote public spaces to private vehicles. Critics often worry that pedestrianization simply shifts traffic elsewhere. While the effects depend on local design, many cities have found that some trips disappear altogether as people switch routes, travel modes or destinations. Pedestrianized streets are often evaluated economically, but their health benefits receive far less attention. Our recent study at Carleton University measured air and noise pollution experienced by people walking and cycling along Ottawa’s Queen Elizabeth Driveway (QED), with and without the presence of vehicles. What we found The Queen Elizabeth Driveway in Ottawa, where the roadway is closed to motorized vehicles on summer weekends during the day. (Liam O’Brien) The QED is part of the National Capital Commission’s Bikedays program, which temporarily provides long stretches of its scenic roads to people on foot and bike. The program dates back to 1970, making it a pioneer. However, despite extended hours during…