Drivers were asked to leave their cars at home Thursday as Montreal's core was shut to four-wheel traffic.

Pedestrians reclaimed Montreal's Ste-Catherine Street Thursday during Car Free Day.
(Corinne Smith/CBC)

Montreal is among 1,500 cities around the world taking part in the annual Car Free Day, now in its fifth edition.

Cars and trucks were barred from the area between René-Lévesque Blvd., Maisonneuve St., McGill College St. and St. Urbain St. from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.

Event organizers say they hope people will choose environment-friendly modes of transportation for the day.

According to the Montreal Transit Corporation, about 40 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions produced in Quebec originate from cars, buses and trucks.

Barring four-wheeled vehicles from the downtown core has a tangible effect on air quality, the transit agency said.

Alain Simard takes an electric trolley for a ride near Place des Arts in Montreal.
(Corinne Smith/CBC)

In past years, levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide from vehicle emissions were considerably lower on car-free day.

Laval, Gatineau, Kitchener and Hamilton are also taking part in Car Free Day.

In Toronto, the city marked the day with a concert, as well as a week of events featuring hikes and street parties.

Around the world, hundreds of cities in Austria, France, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are signed up for related events.