While we Chicagoans fret over the future of our transit system and dread our growing traffic problems, over in DC, residents are enjoying their clean, carpeted trains and celebrating their first official Car Free Day. DC City Council has declared Sept. 18 Car Free Day. Council members found means to work without automobiles, and even the mayor advocated for walking, biking and transit, posing for the press while riding the bus. One of the council members is even hosting a weeklong CarFree Challenge on his website. The weeklong challenge will culminate with a street festival on Saturday. The DC event is actually part of a World Car Free Day. Kind of makes you jealous, doesn't it?