BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin College will ban cars for first-year students starting in 2009.

Campus officials say the decision is part of Bowdoin’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental responsibility. At the same time, they say the decision will help to foster a greater sense of community for college freshmen, who already are required to live on campus.

Bowdoin College President Barry Mills said the decision makes a lot of sense, especially since having a car at Bowdoin “is mostly a luxury, and hardly ever a necessity.”

Transportation options for students include Yellow Bikes available on campus, a new Bowdoin shuttle service and two new Zipcars available for borrowing, in addition to public transportation.