Thousands of people across the city and some 200 million people worldwide are promoting clean air, pedestrian friendly streets and exercise by celebrating International Car Free Day. The Sierra Club organizes the events in Canada.

Dimitri Morales, a spokesman for the environmental group, offered some advice for commuters who are reluctant to go car-free.

"I think it is a mind frame. One of the issues is inconvenience. And if they are looking for convenience or looking for a fast solution, it just takes a little more planning. It takes a little more effort, sometimes. So just overcoming that barrier goes a long way to going car-free," he explained.

The car-free philosophy has taken hold in one vibrant area of the city - Kensington Market. The streets of the historic neighbourhood are designated pedestrian only on Sundays in the summer and early fall.

Morales said there are a number of good reasons to give up your car. Our reliance on automobiles has taken a huge toll on our health and the environment.

Cars can also affect the quality of life in the city's neighbourhoods because they create noise and can make streets dangerous for pedestrians.

Dan McDermott, also of the Sierra Club, said the message of the event isn't that cars are bad, but that we should drive less.

"Europeans have as many cars per capita but they use them a lot less than North Americans," he said.

Car-free celebrations kicked off at Yonge and Dundas Friday morning and run throughout the day.

For more information on the event, click here.