Kigali Car Free Day 

By: Zainab Mekky

Rwanda is famous for the "Kigali Car-Free Day", an event that takes place twice a month in the capital, Kigali, on the first and third Sunday of each month. So that people can walk, run or cycle in complete freedom. 

The history of this day dates back to 2016, when it began as part of Rwanda's efforts to preserve the environment, as motorists are encouraged to abandon their vehicles on this day in order to use other environmentally friendly means such as cycling and walking.

 In the beginning, this event was implemented only one day per month in 2016, and after only one year, that is, in 2017, it was converted to an event every two weeks, so it was held on the first and third Sundays of every month, due to its great popularity, as it was attended by many officials. Among the country's senior officials, including the head of state himself, Paul Kagame, who is the current president. 

As we mentioned earlier, the purpose of this event was to preserve the environment, but it has evolved into an invitation to a healthier life through exercise and regular medical examinations, as many mobile clinics are provided that provide free medical examinations along the specified route.

 
It is worth noting that this event does not take place in the entire city, but is implemented in some of the roads designated for that, while the rest of the roads are in which life is practiced as usual, and this event does not take up the entire day but only lasts for three hours, so it starts from At seven o'clock in the morning and ends at ten o'clock, after which life returns as it is the case on the rest of the week.

Finally, if you want to participate in this event all you have to do is simply show up and join and you will have a fun and healthy day.

Sources
https://livinginkigali.com/kigali-car-free-day/
https://www.climate-chance.org/en/best-pratices/kigali-car-free-day/
https://images.app.goo.gl/q6jZv4Ya7GWeFmfP6