AFFIRM Agency Helps Drive More Than 50% Growth in Car Free Day Long Island Pledges
(Pewaukee, Wis.)- Car Free Day Long Island (CFDLI) received 5,537 pledges in 2026, up more than 50% from 3,557 in 2025. By pledging to go car free or car-lite on September 22, participants are committed to replacing at least one drive alone trip with transit, carpooling, walking, biking or teleworking. The pledge gives Long Islanders a simple way to help reduce traffic and improve air quality while exploring other ways to travel, with the added incentive of a chance to win prizes. AFFIRM Agency supported the campaign with a paid media strategy designed to raise awareness of these benefits and encourage participation.
AFFIRM, a full-service marketing agency with expertise in behavior change campaigns, has partnered with the Long Island Rail Road through its Transit Solutions program for 20 years. For this year’s Car Free Day, AFFIRM researched, planned and developed a robust media campaign that launched September 1 and included online display ads, e-newsletters, dedicated emails and paid social media. Campaign messages focused on the impact of one changed trip and the opportunity to win prizes.
“Car Free Day Long Island shows how a clear, actionable message can bring people together around a shared goal,” said Danny Mager, President of AFFIRM Agency. “We’re proud to have helped bring that message to more Long Islanders this year, alongside the partners and organizations whose outreach made this level of participation possible.”
The 14th annual Car Free Day Long Island took place September 22. Participants pledged through colleges and universities, municipalities, healthcare systems, businesses and advocacy organizations. Together the 5,537 Long Islanders pledge to drive less represented an estimated 99 tons of CO₂ avoided.
“The real power of communications comes when you connect it to community,” said Mindy Germain, who leads community engagement for AFFIRM’s Transit Solutions program and serves as Chair of Car Free Day Long Island. “AFFIRM’s public engagement, partnership cultivation and regional coalition building expands the traditional impact of media and communications tools to drive action. Northwell Health is a great example. When a major institution embraces the mission and activates its own network, our reach grows exponentially. AFFIRM’s combination of strong communications and strong partnerships helped make this year’s Car Free Day Long Island our most successful yet.”
Transit Solutions, AFFIRM and Car Free Day Long Island’s partners will build on this year’s participation as they plan future efforts to help Long Islanders drive less.
About Car Free Day Long Island
Car Free Day Long Island was started by Transit Solutions, 511 NYRideshare, and their program partners in 2013 to help spotlight our mission to reduce traffic and improve air quality on Long Island. What began as a simple idea to observe International Car Free Day has grown into a major event with numerous partners and thousands of participants. Learn more at https://carfreedayli.com/.
AFFIRM is a full-service marketing communications agency with expertise in social marketing and behavior change campaigns that positively impact public health, transportation, social causes, as well as product marketing and consumer influence. Headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the agency serves local, regional and national clients in Business-to-Business and Consumer markets. For more information, call 262-650-9900, or visit www.AFFIRMAgency.com.
###
