The first car-free day will be enforced in Los Angeles next month as vehicles will be banished from certain downtown streets in a bid to help protect the Angelenos' health and the environment, local officials announced on Wednesday.

"CicLAvia" will be held in Los Angeles for the first time on Oct. 10. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, a 7.5-mile (12 km) route from East Hollywood to Boyle Heights will be closed off to motor vehicles.

"As the car capital of the world, we know a lot about congestion and pollution," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The plan aims to "encourage Angelenos to get out of their cars and walk, ride or skate safely through some of the city's most diverse communities and experience the city in a new way," he said when announcing the plan.

"CicLAvia" is "an amazing opportunity for Angelenos to rediscover their city -- a new kind of free street festival," Aaron Paley, the event's producer said.

According to statistics released by California Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 6.68 million automobiles, commercial vehicles and motorcycles registered in the County of Los Angeles as of Jan. 1, 2007. In Los Angeles City, there were 2 million registered automobiles.

Known as "ciclovias," similar events have been held in other cities around the world for decades, city councilman Tom LaBonge said. New York, Chicago, Miami, Baltimore, Portland and Mexican city Guadalajara have been observing the event.

The practice was initiated in Bogota, Colombia, more than 30 years ago to encourage physical activity and draw members of a community together. It was also a way to counteract congestion and pollution, according to LaBonge.

The occasion was observed on weekends and on a day in February. More than 120 km of streets were car-free.