Marikina City residents enjoy a vibrant, car-free Gil Fernando Avenue every Sunday, embracing biking, jogging, and community activities in the city’s latest move toward Car-Free Sundays. [Photo Courtesy of Marikina City Public Information Office]

Metro Manila is seeing a growing trend of local governments designating streets as car-free zones on Sundays, a move that promotes sustainable transport, public health, and community engagement. 

Marikina City joins the Car-Free Sunday movement, closing part of Gil Fernando Avenue every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. This initiative strengthens its commitment to people-friendly, green urban spaces. With 52 km of interconnected bike lanes, Marikina is shaping a city where cycling and walking are a way of life.

“We are promoting walking and biking to school and work. This is one way of giving residents a safe space so they can bond with their families and friends,” Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said.

In Quezon City, the local government’s “Car-Free, Carefree Tomas Morato Sundays” closes a stretch of Tomas Morato Avenue to motor vehicles every Sunday morning, allowing residents to walk, bike, and enjoy the open space. 

Similarly, in Manila, the city’s Roxas Boulevard has been designated car-free under Ordinance No. 9047, providing dedicated lanes for cyclists and joggers along a 2.3-kilometer stretch from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Sunday.

In Makati City, the local government’s initiative on Ayala Avenue transforms one of the busiest business districts into a pedestrian-friendly zone on Sundays, while Mandaluyong City’s Greenfield District and Taguig City’s Fifth Avenue in Bonifacio Global City offer weekend car-free spaces for recreation and fitness activities.

Pasig City is also implementing its People’s Streets program, which turns multiple streets into pedestrian-friendly spaces on Sundays. Other areas such as UP Diliman, Quezon City and Filinvest City in Muntinlupa City have long embraced the car-free movement, encouraging healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

The movement has also expanded outside Metro Manila. In Davao City, Car-Free Sundays started in December 2024 along the Coastal Road, running from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. This initiative promotes an active lifestyle and enhances public well-being by offering residents a safe space for jogging, walking, and cycling.

With a growing list of local government units (LGUs) adopting car-free programs—including Cebu City, Iloilo City, and Baguio City—this movement reflects a nationwide shift toward sustainable urban planning and healthier public spaces.

“The Philippines has the potential to become a cleaner, more resilient, and people-first region by prioritizing sustainable mobility,” said Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “Establishing car-free zones lowers carbon emissions, improves air quality, and encourages active, healthier lifestyles. Beyond reducing traffic congestion, these initiatives reimagine our cities as spaces designed for people.”

As more LGUs consider expanding car-free initiatives, the growing movement signals a cultural shift toward prioritizing people over vehicles in urban spaces. With public support and sustainable policies, Car-Free Sundays may soon become a nationwide norm in the Philippines.

The CCC, in line with its mandate to mainstream climate resilience and low-carbon development, supports these efforts as part of broader strategies to reduce emissions, promote sustainable urban mobility, and create healthier, climate-adaptive communities.