Youth and Sports Minister targets Car Free Day to be active in 514 regencies and cities in 2026

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir is targeting Car Free Day (CFD) to be active in 514 regencies and cities across Indonesia this year as a space for public participation in sport. “We want to push for the sports participation index to rise and for the health of the Indonesian people to improve,” Thohir wrote on his official social media account monitored in Jakarta on Sunday.

CFD is an activity in which motor vehicles are prohibited from travelling on certain streets for a period of time. Typically the activity takes place on holidays or weekends, allowing people to use the streets for exercise and various other activities without vehicle emissions. The activity is commonly used for walking, running, cycling, and even participating in group exercise organised by communities or local governments.

The minister explained that CFD provides a space for public participation in sport, and he wants all regencies and cities in Indonesia to organise the activity. He said that CFD implementation can be an effective way to raise awareness of the importance of regular physical activity.

In addition to encouraging people to exercise, the activity is also seen as capable of strengthening social interaction among communities and providing a healthier and more environmentally friendly public space.

He said he would collaborate with various ministries, local governments, and sports communities to make CFD part of the healthy lifestyle of the public.

Earlier, the minister also explained that cross-sector support is needed for CFD activities to run consistently in various regions. The government also encourages local governments to utilise existing public spaces, such as main streets and central city areas, as locations for CFD. With more areas regularly hosting CFD, he hopes public participation in sport will continue to rise and help improve overall public health.