Related Car Free Day
A fun, affordable, healthy way to enjoy our streets

1. What are Car Free Days?
2. Why are you holding the events?
3. What about people living in the area, how will they get to and from their homes?
4. What if there is an emergency, or there are disabled or elderly people who can’t walk long distances?
5. What was the process for deciding where to hold the car free events?
6. How did you choose the dates?
7. How did you choose the locations?
8. How are you handling impacts to businesses?
9. If the streets are open, can I block my sidewalk?
10. What if people drive to the event?
11. Where do I park my bicycle once I get to the event?
12. Will buses be rerouted during the events?
13. Will there be toilets?
14. Will you do this again?
15. How will you fund next year’s events?
16. Where would larger event(s) be held in the future?
17. How do the events that Parks and Recreation are hosting fit into these Car Free Days?
18. What if other communities want to have a Car Free Day this summer?
19. Can alcohol be served in the street?
20. Will parking be affected by Car Free Days?
21. Can I accept deliveries during the events?
22. Can food be served on the sidewalk or in the street?
23. Will we have local access on Alki?
24. Where can I park my car? I live in a condo on Alki and don’t have on site parking

Q. What are Car Free Days?

A. These events illustrate how livable a city is when people drive less and are an opportunity for affordable, healthy outings in city neighborhoods.

Q. Why are you holding the events?

A. It is part of the “Give Your Car the Summer Off” campaign to combat global warming by encouraging residents to drive their vehicles 1,000 miles less a year.

Q. What about people living in the area, how will they get to and from their homes?

A. On Alki, one lane will remain open so that the Water Taxi shuttle can continue running and residents living along Alki can get in and out [using an honor system like the one successfully implemented for Lake Washington Blvd. Bike Days].

For the other two, if residents need to access their vehicles during event times, we’ll ask that they find a way to do so without having to drive through the area.

Q. What if there is an emergency, or you are a disabled or elderly person who cannot walk long distances?

A. Exceptions will be made for those with mobility issues and emergency vehicles (volunteers will be available to help them move safely through).

Q. What was the process for deciding where to hold the car free events?

A. To make sure the events were a success and done correctly, we worked with a number of city departments including fire, police, parks and external organizations like Metro and the Port of Seattle prior to choosing the best locations and days.

Q. How did you choose the dates?

A. We identified summer dates without a large number of city events already scheduled (festivals, athletic races, etc.).

Q. How did you choose the locations?

A. The locations have places for recreational activities, like parks and neighborhood business centers in the same vicinity. Also we chose areas where we knew there was community interest. Please email the city with suggestions for next year: Dawn.Schellenberg@Seattle.gov

Q. How are you handling impacts to businesses?

A. We anticipate the events will attract large numbers of people and are encouraging participants to support local shops and restaurants. This is a great way to promote a business by participating with activities such as street/sidewalk sales, outdoor cafés, and cooking classes held outside.

Q. If the streets are open, can I block my sidewalk?

A. While we encourage creative use of both sidewalks and streets, sidewalk clearance for wheelchair access (at least four feet) should be maintained at all times. Those wishing to set up tables on the sidewalk should use the “planting strip”—the four to six foot section closest to the curb.

Q. What if people drive to the event?

A. These events allow residents to walk out their door and experience their street in a different way. Should someone not living in the area wish to come, we are working with Cascade Bicycle Club to get volunteers to lead bicycle rides to the events, promoting the use of buses and the Water Taxi and encouraging walking whenever possible.

Q. Where do I park my bicycle once I get to the event?

A. There will be bike parking corrals that will be staffed by youth groups as a fund raising opportunity.

Q. Will buses be rerouted during the events?

A. Only the Rainier Avenue Car Free Days impacts bus routes. To minimize the disruption, the event is being held for three hours instead of six. Hybrid buses will replace electric trolleys to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Q. Will there be toilets?

A. Toilets will be placed along routes that do not have public toilet facilities.

Q. Will you do this again?

A. This summer’s events are pilots. Next year we hope to hold an even better event, or events.

Q. How will you fund next year’s events?

A. We are looking for grants and sponsorships.

Q. Where would larger event(s) be held in the future?

A. That has not been decided. If someone has a suggestion, we would like to hear it.

Q. How do the events that Parks and Recreation are hosting fit into these Car Free Days?

Car free events in Volunteer Park, Seward Park and Lake Washington Boulevard are part of “Give your car the summer off.” SDOT events compliment Park’s efforts.

Q. What if other communities want to have a Car Free Day this summer?

A. We encourage all neighborhoods to have their own car free days. Host a Block Party, or Special Event

Q. Can alcohol be served in the street?

A. Only if you have a liquor license and your restaurant tables are adjacent and contiguous to your establishment. All WA State Liquor Control Board laws and regulations apply during the events.

Q. Will parking be affected by Car Free Days?

A. Parking will be restricted along streets being used for the events. Restrictions will start two hours in advance of the events and open back up at 6 p.m. when they conclude.

Q. Can I accept deliveries during the events?

A. Please plan for deliveries to be made at least two hours in advance of the events, or the day before or after as parking and vehicle access will be restricted during these times.

Q. Can food be served on the sidewalk or in the street?

A. Having food in front of a restaurant is okay. If it's brought in from another place you need to be permitted through King County Public Health. A hand washing station and bathroom must be close to the food and food must be kept hot or cold according to the food safety guidelines.

Q. Will we have local access on Alki?

A. Residents along Alki will have access to their homes via an Eastbound only travel lane.

Q. Where can I park my car? I live in a condo on Alki and don’t have on site parking

A. If you have to move your car from Alki Ave for the 8 hours of the event, you may want to look for parking along Harbor Ave SW, south of SW California Ave, or other public parking lots in the area.