Car-Free Sunday
A Car-Free Sunday gives any ordinary Sunday a solid upgrade. The idea is simple: make streets and squares car-free for one day, giving residents and visitors all the space they need to cycle, skate, walk or just relax and enjoy the freed-up public space.
Cars disappear, people appear
A Car-Free Sunday gives everyone a chance to relive the streets. Where cars disappear, people appear. This makes sense because instead of engine noise and exhaust fumes, chatter and laughter, cheerful music and ringing bells dominate. For associations, that day is the moment to come out and showcase their activities. And as a local authority, you can show off your plans and achievements in the field of sustainable mobility. Moreover, Car Free Sunday is the ideal opportunity to let people test sustainable means of transport: from electric (delivery) bicycles and e-steps to shared mobility and public transport.
A day without a king car is not only pleasant and inspiring, it is also good for the ears, lungs and heart. Reasons enough for a municipality to organise a Car-Free Sunday.
The Car Free Sunday Fact Checks
Fact Check #1: A Car Free Sunday is only for big cities
Brussel, Oostende, Antwerpen, Leuven, Sint-Niklaas ... allemaal grote steden die een grote Autovrije Zondag organiseren. Maar kan het ook kleiner? Wij gingen eens horen in Wijnegem voor een Fact Check!
Fact Check #2: Local traders make no profit from a Car Free Sunday
Je hoort wel vaker dat handelaars alleen goede zaken doen bij mensen die met de auto komen. Zijn voetgangers en fietsers dan minder goede klanten? Wij gingen eens horen bij zaakvoerder Anneleen, in Mechelen.
Fact Check #3: Only municipalities can organise a Car Free Sunday
Wat als je gemeentebestuur wat traag is van begrip of te weinig ambitie heeft? Kan je dan zelf voor een Autovrije Zondag zorgen? Wij gingen eens horen bij Marlies van burgerbeweging Recht op Lucht.
Fact Check #4: one Car-Free Sunday is not enough to change people's behaviour
Hoe meer autovrije dagen, hoe gemakkelijker het wordt om oude gewoonten te veranderen. In Rotselaar organiseert basisschool Het Nest Autovrije Schooldagen voor extra autovrij plezier op straat.
Free e-book for pacesetters
Want to warm up some neighbours or get a Car-Free Sunday on your local council's agenda? Then you should definitely download our e-book for citizens. It is packed with tips and inspiration for anyone who urgently needs a Car-Free Sunday.
Free e-book for policymakers
Is it time your municipality also organised a Car-Free Sunday? Then be sure to download our e-book for policymakers and make those plans concrete. With so many good examples as well as super practical tips, you can get going right away and push those cars aside.
Communication and promotion
Promote your Car Free Sunday with the specially developed graphic material. Ideal for giving your communication campaign a recognisable, fresh look. A cheerful logo complemented by dozens of icons perfectly underlines the atmosphere and the feel-good vibe. The great thing, by the way, is that you can choose the colours of the logo and the icons all by yourself. In short: perfectly in keeping with your municipality's house style!
Activities & entertainment
Streets and squares bustling with life. That is what makes Car Free Sunday so nice. To help municipalities on their way, we compiled lots of great ideas for activities and entertainment. And for all ages. Information stands on sustainable mobility, bouncy castles, theatre performances, a crazy bike trail: it is all possible, in the middle of the street, of course.
Autovrije Zondag in cijfers
genoten van een Autovrije Zondag in hun buurt
organiseerden een Autovrije Zondag in 2024
gemeten in de autovrije zones
Need extra help?
Still looking for extra support and advice, both before and behind the scenes? Mobiel 21 has been supporting cities and municipalities with their Car Free Sunday for over 15 years. Together with event agency Indiandribble, we worked out three formulas: Plus, Pro and Premium. Each formula stands for a well-defined offer that meets the specific needs and desired support in your municipality. Available from 3,000 euro.
Review the webinar for municipalities
Interested in organising a Car-Free Sunday yourself, but still have questions about how best to go about it? Get inspired by the Car-Free Sunday plans of other cities and municipalities. Re-watch our webinar, in which e.g. Stad Zottegem explains how they approach their Car-Free Sunday and The Tiny Company explains how to involve local traders and the hospitality industry.
Questions about Car Free Sunday?
Our colleague and campaign expert, Sanne Vanderstraeten, is here to help you out.
Together we go for even more Car Free Sundays
In 2025, we are resolutely going for far more than 50 Car-Free Sundays in Belgium. There can be no better ending to Mobility Week. If you want to put the sustainable efforts of your municipality in the international spotlight, be sure to register your Car-Free Sunday for the European Mobility Week. There is even an Award attached to it. One thing is certain: Car-free makes people happy :-)
The proof is all those happy faces! Take a look at our Facebook photo album
Creating people-friendly streets
Streets should prioritise people over cars. Through creative campaigns, temporary interventions and experiments, we show how cities and towns can reclaim space for walking, cycling and community life.