The prerequisite for the establishment of this unusual holiday was the oil crisis of the 1970s. Even then, activists around the world were thinking about how to gradually move away from the use of oil fuels. The first Car Free Day was held in 1973 in Switzerland, but it was local in nature.

The idea of ​​giving up cars for one day was publicly announced in 1994 by American political scientist, urban planner and transport specialist Eric Britton. He spoke at the conference and called on advanced countries to hold an action for their population. At first, only a few European cities supported the idea, but every year it gained popularity. In 1995, the World Car Free Days association appeared, and in 1997, Great Britain announced an action at the state level for the first time in history. Soon the environmental holiday became international.

In 2005, Car Free Day was held in Russia. Belgorod was the first to take up the action. In subsequent years, other metropolises of the country joined in, and the holiday became an annual tradition.

In Russia, the action has not yet gained widespread popularity among the population, but various public organizations and official departments are doing their best to spread the idea. For example, in Moscow, the authorities introduced promotions for travel on public transport, and many establishments in the capital provide discounts to cyclists.

Cycling marathons are held in many large cities, and the media tell readers and viewers about the environmental significance of the event. Citizens are encouraged to switch to alternative means of transportation or switch to electric cars. By the way, the production of electric vehicles and other environmentally friendly transport in Russia does not stand still, and they are becoming more and more accessible to the population.