Joseph Blake

Contributor

Large cities from London to Mexico City are moving to clear automotive traffic from their central cores.

Sixty-three per cent of AmsterdamB次元官网网址檚 835,000 residents ride bikes daily on 513 kilometres of protected bike paths, and Vancouver now boasts 80 kilometres of bike lanes separated from traffic. Victoria hasnB次元官网网址檛 reached that kind of ecologically sustainable transportation network yet, but weB次元官网网址檙e working on it.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on FatherB次元官网网址檚 Day June 16, Douglas Street, one of the busiest streets for automotive traffic in Victoria, will have its downtown blocks closed to traffic during the fifth annual Car Free YYJ.

B次元官网网址淐ar Free YYJ has become a signature event for downtown Victoria and for the region. ItB次元官网网址檚 a great example of what can happen when you return the streets to people, as they once were,B次元官网网址� says Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. B次元官网网址淚t fits with VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 values of sustainability, climate action, and building a human-scale city.B次元官网网址�

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Jeff Bray, executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, said the event is expected to attract more than 35,000 people.

B次元官网网址淔or downtown Victoria, it marks the beginning of summer. ItB次元官网网址檚 free, itB次元官网网址檚 fun and thereB次元官网网址檚 something for all ages,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淐ar Free YYJ is an opportunity to remind people of how easy it is to walk around downtown. The CityB次元官网网址檚 parkades will offer free parking. And there will be a free bike valet available on Pandora Avenue to accommodate cyclists.B次元官网网址�

Car Free Day YYJ will shut down Douglas from Chatham and Caledonia streets to Courtenay Street. ItB次元官网网址檚 a family-friendly event that includes PhillipsB次元官网网址� BreweryB次元官网网址檚 all-ages beverage garden between Yates and View Streets, Sparkle Shack Body Art face painting for kids, vendors like Tidaltoys and Migrations Boutique, and Douglas Street restaurants like The Mint and The Rialto offering street food.

Atomique Productions is organizing these local businesses and the dayB次元官网网址檚 musical offerings. Project manager Vanessa Leong says with more than 400 vendors, multiple stages with live music throughout the day, a silent disco and kids activities, B次元官网网址渢here is something for everyone to enjoy on Douglas Street June 16. As the official kick-off to the summer, this event highlights the best of what Victoria has to offer in the form of musicians, artisans, businesses, and local food.B次元官网网址�

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editor@mondaymag.com
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