Will You Join Car Free Long Island?

Leave the car parked at home; Friday is the first annual Car Free Day Long Island.

In a region known for horrendous traffic, Car Free Day takes an event celebrated in 1,500 cities around the world and brings it to automotive-dominated Long Island.

The concept is simple – drive less, or not at all. All alternative means of transportation are recommended. Riding the Long Island Railroad and county busses count, but so does walking, skateboarding and rollerblading. Telecommuting also keeps cars off the road, and those that must drive are asked to carpool.

The idea of Car Free Day Long Island is reduce both traffic and pollution, conserve energy and save money.

Participants are asked to submit a pledge on the event’s website. In exchange for contact information and details just how much each individual can do, applicants are entered to win raffle prizes. Fifteen prizes are on the list, including bicycles, gift certificates for Long Island art venues and Long Island Ducks tickets. Four early pledges already won tickets for the Gazillion Bubble Show in Manhattan.

Pledges are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday. With more than 60 businesses and governments signed on, about 1,700 individual pledges were received.

The first annual Car Free Day Long Island is sponsored by a number of local businesses, non-profits and organizations, including the Long Island Railroad, Melville Chamber of Commerce and Vision Long Island.