Latest news with #carfree
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
The bizarre American enclave where there's a 25 year waitlist to buy a CAR
The United States has an enclave in California that actively discourages residents from using cars, a departure from the rest of the country's widespread car dependence. Avalon is a harbor town on Santa Catalina Island that currently has a 25-year waitlist to get a permit to even own a car. The tiny community of roughly 3,000 residents have essentially built themselves a Mediterranean-esque paradise with only 30 miles of ocean separating them from Greater Los Angeles. It's a stark contrast indeed, with LA being known for its chaotic 12-lane freeways and Avalon being known for residents using golf carts to scoot around the narrow, hilly streets. Avalon is the only city in California that puts strict limits on the number of cars on its roads. And even if you're approved to have a residential vehicle after a quarter century of waiting, you'll then face restrictions on the size of it. 'A full size vehicle can measure no more than 200 inches in length (including the bumpers), and 80 inches in width,' according to the city website. Most full-sized SUVs and even mid-sized trucks are far longer than 200 inches. The behemoth pickups that clog roads and parking lots all across the US would never be approved in Avalon. The lack of cars gives Avalon a completely feel than practically every other US city, suburb or exurb, SFGate reports. There are no gas stations, no highways, no drive-thrus, and no exhaust fumes, making it cleaner and quieter. One large vehicle that can be found in Avalon, or near it, are cruise ships. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the typically days when the giant luxury liners loom over the smaller sailboats and other watercrafts that dot the city's semi-circle harbor. Cruise ships dock nearly a mile out and passengers are then ferried to shore by smaller boats. Their arrival can double the population of the city in a matter of minutes. But even Californians, not tourists coming by cruise, say Avalon and the island as a whole is a underappreciated gem. Brandon and Claire D'Sa, two Long Beach school teachers, said it feels like a secret even among Angelenos. 'It's off the radar. A lot of our friends in LA have never come here,' Brandon told SFGate. 'If you're in Italy, everyone says go to Capri, but in LA, no one tells you to take the boat to Catalina.' Before the era of cruise ships, Catalina was an island that functioned almost as an exclusive getaway for the who's who of Hollywood. Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable were regular visitors. Later, in 1981, the island attracted its fair share of infamy after actress Natalie Wood mysteriously drowned there. She was with Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken and her husband Robert Wagner on the latter's 58-foot yacht. They were anchored at the north end of the island. It's never been determined how she entered the water, but there are rumors she and Wagner argued the night of her death. This, and the dawn of the commercial jet - which made flying to more exclusive destinations like Carribean and Hawaii easier - put a damper on celebrities' interest in Catalina and Avalon. This leaves the island for the enjoyment of regular folks who can marvel at, among many other things, the Catalina Casino. An entertainment complex built by William Wrigley Jr. - the chewing gum magnate and former Cubs owner - is a towering Art Deco masterpiece at the northern end of the Avalon Bay. Contrary to its name, the Casino is not a gambling complex. Rather, it has a silent-era movie theater and a giant 1920s ballroom that is now being used as a roller-skating rink. Tourists and locals alike also stroll down the shoreline walkway to gaze into the clear waters. The city is also full of bars and restaurants, one of the most famous being Luau Larry's, a staple tiki bar right on the water.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
NYC Summer Streets program set to return in July, with record number of car-free miles
More than 20 miles of car-free streets will be returning to New York City this summer, courtesy of the Summer Streets program. The annual initiative is back and the Department of Transportation says this year will be its most expansive yet, providing New Yorkers a unique way to spend a Saturday outdoors. What Summer Streets is all about The annual event has been taking over the streets of the Big Apple since 2008, with the goal of offering residents and visitors a unique way to experience the city by providing, this year, a record 22 miles of public space devoid of vehicles. For the third straight year, the program will impact all five boroughs. For the first time ever, city residents will also be able to travel the length of Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood, the DOT said Tuesday. "With Summer Streets this year, we're not only going to 125th, but we're going to Dyckman, 22 miles," DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. Queens and Brooklyn will kick off the first Saturday of the program on July 27, followed by Manhattan on Aug, 2, 9 and 16, and then Brooklyn and the Bronx on Aug. 23, with festivities running each day from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The city said the series will also include free fitness classes, bike-riding lessons, art installations, and performances. CBS News New York "It has the ability to help native New Yorkers come together" New Yorkers said they are thrilled to once again have the opportunity to take part in the program. "Sometimes people are intimidated riding bicycles in New York City, and Summer Streets is a great way to get started," Brooklyn resident Eric Brooks said. "People in New York don't have much space to be out in the street, so it's good for physical health but also mental health," Bronx resident Belkis Loia said. Brooklyn native Kaya Kulu said she grew up experiencing the event in Manhattan with her family and is glad to see it now taking place throughout the entire city. "It has the ability to help native New Yorkers come together. I really get to enjoy supporting small businesses, walking around the streets, meeting people I didn't know," Kulu said. "Everybody is so happy, so excited," another person added.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Forbes
Summer Celebrations Have Begun At This Indelible Inn On Michigan's Mackinac Island
Horse drawn carriages are the only forms of transportation on historic island community in Northern Michigan. getty Between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas sits one of the most beautiful destinations: Mackinac Island. Full of fudge shops—10 tons of sugar are transported here each week, horses and carriages, and bicycles, this car-free island is the perfect summer vacation for families. Spend time biking around the island, an easy eight-mile ride; shopping and dining in town; and learning about the history at Fort Mackinac, a constellation of military buildings perched on a hill. Fragrant forests and sweet-smelling lilacs abound in the state park that covers over 80% of the island. The Inn at Stonecliff is a summer retreat like no other. Wendy Altschuler With no chain hotels, a stay on Mackinac Island feels distinctive and special. The Inn at Stonecliffe, built in 1904, is indelible for not only its history, but also, its location. Removed from the vibrant-yet-chaotic downtown, this hotel is a verdant oasis with an expansive lawn and views of the grand Mackinac Bridge, also known as the "Mighty Mac'. Once a residence and the island's largest private estate, accommodations here feel homelike yet with an elevated flair. Complete with a chicken coop, apple orchard, two swimming pools, a wellness center, bicycles for hire, and nearby hiking trails, there's plenty to do here. In the summer of 2024, the Inn at Stonecliffe completed a $40 million renovation, which included upgraded rooms, dining options, and outdoor spaces. A true beauty, this hotel, owned by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, is also a Humanitarian Hotel, where giving back to the community is a major part the ethos. Amazingly, net profits are all donated to charitable causes. Seasonal Summer Events Beauty abounds at this inn by the lake. Wendy Altschuler With dining at The Straits, The Backyard, Horsey's Pub, and other nearby options, you might find little need to venture too far away from the inn, especially with the lineup of seasonal activities and special events. Enjoy the Sounds of Summer Benefit Concert Series July 17 and September 11 for live music and a fun atmosphere, kicking off at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening for VIP guests at 6:30 p.m. All ticket proceeds are donated to charity—artists' choices. Open to guests as well as locals, these events bring everyone together, serving the established community as well as those just passing through. Registration is required, as well as a donation of $15. And, on the 4th of July weekend, there's no better place to be than at the inn. Celebrate our country's independence with delectable food, live music, lawn games, big views, and a watermelon eating contest at the Red, White, & Brew with Short's Brewing Co, July 4 from 12:00—8:00 p.m. All ticket proceeds for this event will be donated to Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that supports military families. Partnering with Short's Brewing Company, this fourth of July event is sure to delight all partygoers. And, yes, there will be fireworks.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Berlin could go largely car-free as court rules bold initiative legal
An initiative to make central Berlin largely car-free has been declared legal by the Berlin Constitutional Court, paving the way for organizers to collect signatures for a referendum. The Berlin Constitutional Court on Wednesday said the "Berlin car-free" initiative can continue its legislative proposal, which would limit the use of passenger vehicles in central areas. The decision came three years after the Berlin government took the initiative to court in 2022, arguing that the initiative would be constitutionally inadmissible. "We must now get Berlin's transport policy out of reverse gear and finally make progress with the transport transition," said Marie Wagner, a spokeswoman for the initiative. "We stand for a city that belongs to the people, in which we shape out neighbourhoods ourselves, with lively streets and clean air." The initiative's plans are targeted at reducing traffic in districts within the S-Bahn train service ring, which runs around central Berlin. After a transitional period of four years, almost all streets within the area with the exception of main roads would be declared "car-reduced roads." Private car journeys would only be possible up to 12 times per year, with exceptions for people with disabilities, police, emergency services, fire brigades, refuse collection, taxis and commercial traffic. Public buses would also be exempt from the restrictions. The court is aware that the plans would cause considerable changes and restrictions, explained president Ludgera Selting. She emphasized that the court had not decided whether the German capital would become car-free, a decision that remains "up to the people of Berlin."
The Guardian
30-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Can you live without a car in the mountains? Yes, with planning and a few different bikes
Living car-free in a big city is fairly common these days. Yes, it can mean some adaptation, but when so many things are on your doorstep it's not such a big challenge. So how about car-free life in a remote Italian mountain village, with barely any public transport? We have been living in rural Italy without a car for more than five years now. Even though we have always loved bicycles, the decision to sell our car wasn't a particularly considered one. It all started with our fear for climate change and environmental issues, which prompted us to draw a massive bicycle across the map of Europe a few years ago in an attempt to try and persuade people to use their cars a bit less. We succeeded in at least one regard, because we persuaded ourselves we could live without a car completely. Previously, we owned a VW Golf that was quite nice and super-reliable. As with most people, we depended on it for all sorts of essential and non-essential trips: shopping, doctors' appointments, trips to the garden centre or dump, walks in the mountains – pretty much everything. We had lived as a couple without a car before, but we were younger, we didn't have a dog, and we lived in big cities. Now, we live in a small Italian village in the foothills of the Alps, where public transport is close to non-existent and what there is is highly unreliable. Most of our extended family were against the idea, and perhaps with some justification. Cycling in rural Italy is not particularly easy, as there is very little cycling infrastructure and drivers do not give cyclists enough space on the road. We weren't (and still aren't) particularly dedicated cyclists. Even if it is fair to say that we sold the car without thinking through the consequences too much, there were early signs that this wasn't the most stupid thing we had done. The sense of freedom and happiness in those first few trips was empowering. We felt we had managed to stop letting society dictate what we had to have and what we didn't, at least regarding our transport choices. And over time, we have found that there is a car-free solution to almost every logistical problem, with just a little bit of planning – and a few bikes. For the grocery shopping, we use an electric cargo bike – hauling 50kg of food uphill without a motor would be enough to make extreme dieting seem attractive. To take the dog for a walk, we use a non-electric cargo bike. You get to the paths pretty fast, and then the dog can walk while you cycle. For trips to Milan, Turin or Novara, a combination of train, bus and folding bike works well. We've taken pretty much everything on our cargo bikes, from small olive trees and manure for our vegetable patch to kayaks and building supplies. Trips to the mountains are still tricky, though. Quite often it takes longer to go by bike, but time can be saved with a bit of organisation. Going to the gym by bike means you don't need to warm up once you arrive. Commuting and exercising at the same time is certainly a time saver. If the dog can come where you are going and you're not too tight for time, you can take a path and walk the dog on the way. Shopping takes longer, but parking is never a problem. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Predictably, we are now fitter than we were and have saved money, but there have been other benefits we would never have anticipated. Cycling everywhere has improved our social life, as speeds of up to 15mph are sociable. People can say hello as you pass and we feel more like we are part of a community. There is also nothing like a good bike ride to help you clear your thoughts and feel better psychologically. Simple trips, even the most boring of errands, have become a bit more adventurous and fun. And we get to park near to the entrance of wherever we're going, quietly content – some would say smug – that we didn't come by car. We're not planning to get another car just yet. But if anyone is heading to the mountains, we'd love a lift.
