On Sunday September 22, Tauranga will join more than 2000 cities around the world to celebrate World Car Free Day.

Between 10am and 3pm, a section of First Avenue will be transformed into an urban public space for the day to host a free community event organised by Tauranga City Council.

The event will offer inspiration to consider new travel habits and includes family-friendly activities such as a pop-up ice-skating rink, giant games, a treasure hunt, an urban chill-out zone, radio entertainment and more.

'Tauranga is New Zealand's most car dependent city, something we're not proud of,” says Tauranga City Council's manager of transportation Martin Parkes.

'World Car Free Day offers an opportunity to join a worldwide movement and to consider other ways of getting around.

'It's about reflecting on our impact on the environment and about contributing to a more balanced transport network in our wonderful city.

'Our event is one way to celebrate this day. Other suggestions for what you could do include: going for a long walk on the beach with a friend, grabbing the bikes for a great ride along the renewed Kopurererua Valley track, visiting one of our amazing parks. As long as you leave the car at home – only for one day a year and maybe for more.”

The event will highlight various public transport and non-motorised transport options. For example, Bay of Plenty Regional Council is displaying how to use the bike rack on their buses.

People are encouraged to travel to the event by bus, bike, foot or scooter. Additionally, the Bayhopper bus service will be free all day on World Car Free Day on Sunday September 22, not only for the people travelling to the event, but also for people going to other destinations.

For more information about the event, click here:

Interesting Facts:

Sixty-three per cent of Tauranga's carbon emissions come from transport, mostly cars and trucks.

One bus = up to 40 fewer cars on the road.

Approximately 80 per cent of car journeys in Tauranga are made by single occupancy vehicles.