Should Cities Ban Cars from Downtown Cores? Several European cities have closed their centres to private vehicles, and advocates say Canadian cities should follow. They point to cleaner air, safer streets, and a boost for local shops as pedestrians linger longer. Critics are less convinced. Small-business owners worry that customers from the suburbs, where transit is limited, will simply shop elsewhere. Others note that Canadian winters make walking and cycling far less appealing for much of the year. Urban planner Dr. Helen Chu takes a middle position. "A full ban is premature," she says. "But pedestrian-only weekends and better transit links would let us test the benefits without alienating people who have no alternative to driving."