Every year on 22 September, cities across the world celebrate World Car-Free Day, encouraging people to leave their cars at home. The event highlights the benefits of car-free living — from cleaner air and safer streets to more space for walking and cycling. In Europe, it marks the finale of European Mobility Week (16–22 September), a campaign promoting clean and sustainable urban transport. Slovakia is part of this initiative too, with towns and cities introducing creative programmes and lasting measures to make mobility more accessible and environmentally friendly.

On this occasion, we bring you insights from Juraj Moravčík, General Director of the Slovak Environment Agency, Ján Horváth, transport emissions expert at the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, architect and urbanist Zuzana Ladzianska, and Jozef Vozár, spokesperson for Dopravný podnik Bratislava (the capital’s public transport company). They share their perspectives on how transport shapes daily life in Slovak towns, the impact of cars on air quality and climate, and what alternatives are emerging to make cities more livable and sustainable.

As always, the programme concludes with a new edition of our language corner — Slovak Sound Check.