Over 5,000 turn up at Joo Chiat Road on Oct 3 as it closes to traffic on World Car-Free Day
This was the first time an area outside the CBD was closed to traffic to mark World Car-Free Day.
On October 3rd, over 5,000 people gathered in Joo Chiat Road to celebrate World Car-Free Day. The heritage area between Dunman Road and East Coast Road was temporarily closed to traffic from 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM, creating a bustling carnival atmosphere. Over 90 merchants set up shop along the road, offering a variety of goods and services to visitors.
The inaugural event marked the first time an area outside the Central Business District (CBD) was car-free for World Car-Free Day. Minister of State for Transport and Culture, Baey Yam Keng, encouraged people to explore Singapore on foot or by bicycle, highlighting the opportunity to discover new neighbourhoods. Joo Chiat Road was named one of the top 15 coolest streets in the world by British media group Time Out in 2025.
The event featured various activities, including hands-on activities for kids, pet grooming services, and live music. Business owners, such as yoga studios and artisan galleries, appreciated the increased visibility and publicity. Matthew Koh, a project manager, brought his dachshund Max to the event in a repurposed children's walker attached to his bicycle, attracting attention from passing pedestrians.
Attendees came from various parts of Singapore, with some having heard about the event on social media. The car-free concept was hoped to be replicated in other parts of the city in the future.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
