Over 5,000 People Visit Joo Chiat Road on World Car-Free Day

On October 3, more than 5,000 people visited Joo Chiat Road in Singapore for World Car-Free Day. A half-kilometre stretch of the road was shut to all vehicles from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visitors enjoyed food stalls, live music, and fun activities along the historic shophouse street. It was the first time this annual event was held outside Singapore's Central Business District.

World Car-Free Day encourages people to try greener ways of getting around, such as walking and cycling. Families came with children and bicycles, creating a lively, carnival-like atmosphere. Nearly 90 vendors set up stalls along the 530-metre stretch. The event was split into zones offering everything from kids' activities and pet grooming to live boxing matches.

Government leaders visited the event and spoke about its importance. Minister of State Baey Yam Keng said walking and cycling help people discover new and familiar neighbourhoods. MP Goh Pei Ming called the event a special milestone for the Joo Chiat community. Both leaders hoped residents and tourists would take the chance to explore the area's hidden gems.

Joo Chiat is already famous as a vibrant heritage neighbourhood. In 2025, Time Out magazine named Joo Chiat Road one of the 15 coolest streets in the world. The area is known for its colourful shophouses, local food, arts, and culture. The car-free event gave even more people a reason to explore it on foot.

Local business owners were excited about the huge crowd. Hannah James of the Katong-Joo Chiat Business Association said the event helped hidden businesses, like upstairs yoga studios, get noticed by more people. Co-owner Ng Hwee Hong of Gallery+ Katong said her shop was packed within an hour of the event starting. Both women hoped the car-free day would become a yearly tradition.

One memorable visitor was Matthew Koh, who brought his elderly dachshund Max in a homemade pet taxi built from a children's walker. He had cycled 30 minutes from Serangoon just to be part of the celebration. Many people stopped to photograph him and his dog along the way. His fun setup became one of the most talked-about sights of the day.

Younger visitors found out about the event through social media platforms like TikTok. Natalie Tan, 27, came to shop and try food, including banana pudding from the iconic Katong bakery Dona Manis. She said events like this make Singapore feel lively and fun. Tan hopes that car-free days will one day be held in Orchard Road and Marina Bay too.