What you need for a car-free day

A car-free day needs more than tables and refreshments. You’ll need clear traffic equipment, visible safety gear, communication tools and enough reusable tableware for the activities and neighborhood gathering. Plan purchases and rentals around the road closure: signs, barriers and warning lights must be ready before volunteers take their posts. This checklist also covers items that are easy to miss, such as spare batteries, cable ties, power banks and printed contact details.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Tablecloth setsqty 10

Traffic and safety

Crowd control barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 30
Traffic signsqty 12
Detour signsqty 8
Warning Lightsqty 12
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Duct tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 200

Equipment

Battery-powered speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Batteriesqty 48

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 150
Reusable coffee cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 30
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving plattersqty 12
Storage binsqty 20

Activities

Sidewalk chalkqty 20
Skipping ropesqty 10
Hula hoopsqty 10
Soft ballsqty 12
Traffic matqty 2
Coloring pagesqty 150
Colored pencil setsqty 20
Bike pumpsqty 3
Bike repair kitsqty 2
Bike helmetsqty 10

Information

Info boardsqty 6
Information leafletsqty 500
Route mapsqty 300
Name stickersqty 200
Markersqty 20
Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Tapeqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Still spring water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain rolls - 80 pieces
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Dairy spread - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted popcorn - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Raisins - 3 kilos
- Nut mix - 2 kilo
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Gluten-free bread - 4 loaves
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Prepare traffic-control equipment before the event day: cones, barriers, traffic and detour signs, warning lights and safety vests should be checked against every closing point and route change.
Give each staffed traffic post a way to communicate. Provide walkie-talkies where needed, plus flashlights and spare batteries for posts that may remain active after daylight.
Allow at least one first aid kit for the event area and keep emergency access clear. Confirm the emergency services route before placing tents, tables or barriers.
For a shared meal or drinks station, count reusable glasses, coffee cups, plates and cutlery per attendee, then add a reserve of about 10% for dropped or misplaced items.
Pack installation supplies separately so setup does not stall: duct tape, cable ties, pliers, extension cords, power strips and power banks are easy to forget until equipment arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a car-free day?: Plan for traffic signs, detour signs, cones, crowd-control barriers, warning lights, safety vests and first aid kits first. Add communication equipment, seating, tables, lighting, reusable tableware and setup supplies such as duct tape and cable ties.
How many reusable cups and plates do I need for a car-free day?: Count one cup, plate and set of cutlery per person for each planned serving, then add about 10% spare. For coffee, provide one reusable cup per expected coffee drinker and keep extra cups available at the serving table.
When should car-free day traffic signs and barriers be ready?: Have all signs, barriers, cones and warning lights delivered and checked before the road closure begins. Finish the inventory at least one day earlier so missing or damaged items can still be replaced.
What safety equipment is needed for car-free day volunteers?: Volunteers directing traffic need visible safety vests and clear instructions for their posts. Provide flashlights for low-light work, walkie-talkies where posts are spread out, and access to at least one first aid kit.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.