Montreal's Ste-Catherine Street was transformed into an outdoor festival as the city shut down several downtown blocks to cars as part of International Car-Free Day.

The city closed a ten-block area to motor vehicles, letting in only cyclists, pedestrians and the odd electric car.

Large groups of pedestrians took over the streets shortly after they were closed to traffic at 10 a.m. Cars were allowed back at 3:30 p.m.

Cities in 35 countries took part in Car-Free Day. Montreal was the only Canadian city to pick a weekday to clear its streets of cars.

Similar events were held in Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo and Victoria over the weekend.

Pedestrians embraced the freedom to wander around the streets, but businesses complained of lost revenues and postponed appointments because of the event.

The regional transit agency, the Agence métropolitaine de transport, said they were gathering feedback on the event.

However, the agency said the event, meant to persuade commuters to walk or bike to work, would take place again next year.