Carless Whisper in Makati
The open roads give a sense of community. Bikers exchange quick nods. Joggers and walkers wave to familiar faces. Families laugh as they stroll. It feels like the city’s heartbeat slows down, allowing everyone to connect and enjoy

At Ayala and Makati Avenue, a marshal watches as cyclists, skaters and joggers bring the car-free streets to life.
Photographs by ENRIQUE GARCIA for the Daily Tribune
Sundays in the streets around Makati’s Ayala Triangle feel different. The usual rush of cars and buses is nowhere in sight. It’s replaced with something rare — calm. Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, three of the busiest streets in the city, switch into a car-free haven, and for a few hours, people reclaim the roads.
Cyclists, skaters, joggers, skateboarders and walkers start to fill the streets as early as dawn. The streets feel open and alive without the noise and congestion of vehicles. At the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue, dancers and skaters perform choreographies. Others are practicing tricks on their own. It’s a mix of energy and creativity.

Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue come alive with joggers and cyclists enjoying the car-free Sunday.
Families walk with their kids. Others ride scooters or bikes. Furbabies stroll along the pavement, tails wagging with joy. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, with people of all ages and backgrounds coming together in this shared space.
When I get the chance to ride a bike, this becomes one of the best parts of my week. There’s a unique joy in pedaling down Ayala Avenue without worrying about traffic or a grumpy driver blowing his modified horn designed for big ships.
The open roads give a sense of community. Bikers exchange quick nods. Joggers and walkers wave to familiar faces. Families laugh as they stroll. It feels like the city’s heartbeat slows down, allowing everyone to connect and enjoy.

Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue, car-free and filled with people enjoying the open space.

A cyclist cruises along Ayala Avenue, now a peaceful stretch for bikers and joggers on a car-free Sunday.


