Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil today did his part on car free day by cycling from home to work.

Dr Busuttil urged others to do the same when possible. "In this way, individuals will be contributing to less traffic on our roads while also maintaining a healthier lifestyle," he said.

The day is meant to raise awareness to the fact that motor vehicles are the single biggest cause of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.

About 330 cities and towns around the world have closed their roads off to motors and open them up to pedestrians, bikers and skateboarders.

“Motor vehicles are the single biggest source of atmospheric pollution, contributing an estimated 14 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning, a proportion than is steadily rising,” says the World Car Free network on its website. 

The network also notes a number of environmental and health problems that can be directly associated with the potent exhaust fumes, which include causing “acid air, pollution, cancer, lead-poisoning and a variety of bronchial and respiratory illnesses.”