50,000 Dubai residents leave behind their cars

100% SUCCESS: A normally full parking area near the municipality building lies empty on Car-Free Day.

Several residents did their bit for the environment and also lent a helping hand to the needy as Dubai went car-free for a day for the eighth year in a row. The Dubai Municipality had earlier announced that it would donate a sum of money to charity for every car that stays off the road on the annual Car-Free Day.
The civic body is expected to donate over Dh500,000 as thousands of residents ditched their cars and used public transport means, carpooled, cycled or even walked to their offices. This donation is part of the municipality's activities in response to 2017 being announced as the Year of Giving.
Over 2,500 government and private sector companies took part in the initiative, which is more than double the number of participating entities last year, according to Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of the Dubai Municipality.
Another official said over 50,000 cars were left behind by their owners as they headed to work.
Lootah told Khaleej Times: "When we transform car left behind into an amount of money that will help in planting trees to protect the environment and contribute to charity organisations, we are sending the message that any contribution has a positive return on the environment and other people."
When Dubai went car-free
2,500 entities participate in Car-Free Day as compared to 1,070 last year.
43,000 cars were left behind by owners during the drive last year.
Dh500,000 to be donated to charity by Dubai Municipality.
1,000 cars and two entities took part in first Car-Free Day in 2010.
140kg carbon dioxide emitted by a car with a fuel capacity of 15 gallons.