In late 1973, the Dutch government implemented nationwide “car-free Sundays” in response to the global oil crisis sparked by the Yom Kippur War. From November 1973 to January 1974, private cars were barred from Sunday use to conserve fuel amid supply disruptions and soaring prices. The measure was part of a wider package of emergency policies that included reduced speed limits and fuel rationing. On those Sundays, highways and city streets fell unusually quiet, opening space for walking, cycling, skating, and spontaneous public gatherings—scenes preserved in photographs from the period. Although temporary, the ban had a lasting cultural influence, strengthening public support for cycling infrastructure, lower car dependence, and long-term transport planning that still shapes Dutch cities today.(Historic Vids)