[world-carfree-news_eng] World Carfree News #72 - October 2009

____________________________________

WORLD CARFREE NEWS >>>
____________________________________

Edition 72 – October 2009 – English version
____________________________________

Contents:

QUOTATION OF THE MONTH

WORLD CARFREE NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS

- 3E Seminar and AGM, Prague, Czech Republic (November 4-8) 
- Towards Carfree Cities IX, York, UK (June 28-July 2, 2010) 
- Steering Committee Vacancies
- World Carfree Day 2009 Reports
- Coming up in Carbusters 40!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Ride Planet Earth
- 2nd MENA Public Transport Congress and Showcase, Doha, Qatar (October 25-27)
- Rail Volution 2009, Boston, US (October 29 –November 1)
- Training for Public Transport Managers, Belfast, Northern Ireland (November
16-18)

IN THE NEWS

- 100 million USD for Transit Agencies 
- General Motors Free to Release Mercury
- New York, US: Towards a Bike Friendly City?
- Trams improve Montreal's Liveability 
- EU Action Plan on Urban Mobility  
- UK Law to Encourage Cycling
- Lowest Numbers Planning to Buy a Car in UK
- UK's Naked Streets 
- German Car Scrappage Scheme Scrapped
- Dubai Opens New Automatic Metro
- Womens Trains in India
- Samoans Stranded in Road Switch  
- Changing Direction for Seoul Riders  

REPORTS

- Traffic Noise Kills

MEDIA & NETWORKING

- Guided Trolleybuses in Bologna 
- Bike Faster than Helicopter
- Centre-Median Bike Path in New York
- Pedal Power
- Park(ing) Day 2009

CURIOS

- Bikers Food to Go 
- Distracted by Art
- At Opposite Ends 
- Genius Idea

SUPPORT WORLD CARFREE NETWORK

__________________________________

QUOTATION OF THE MONTH >>
____________________________________


"If you want to know if an urban environment supports cycling, you can forget
about all the detailed 'bikeability indexes' – just measure the proportion of
cyclists who are female" 

Jan Garrard, a senior lecturer at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia,
and author of several studies on biking and gender differences.

___________________________________

WORLD CARFREE NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS >>
____________________________________

- 3E Seminar and AGM 09, Prague, Czech Republic (November 4-8)
World Carfree Network is happy to announce a 3-day seminar consisting of
capacity building, workshops, presentations and facilitated discussions taking
place in Prague, Czech Republic in November 4–6 followed by the Network’s
Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2009 and network development on November 7– 8.
The aim is to equip and encourage grassroots groups to empower participation
and active citizenship in adapting the urban environments to promote
ecological, economical and social sustainability using carfree actions and
events as our frame and inspiration. Please see
http://www.worldcarfree.net/gcb/ for more information and online registration.
 
- Towards Carfree Cities IX, York, UK (June 28-July 2, 2010)
Carfree UK is the host organisation for the 2010 Towards Carfree Cities IX
taking place in York, UK, June 28-July 1 and AGM July 2. The main theme is "How
Do We Get There?" focusing on bringing carfree communities to life. The
conference will include lectures and workshops, study tours and active street
conversion exercises, as well as active discussion on building a sustainable
future. More at http://www.worldcarfree.net/conference/ and keep checking for
updates. In the mean time you can contact the host organisation and the
Conference Coordinator Randall Ghent at [email protected].

- Steering Committee Vacancies
The World Carfree Network is still looking for new Steering Committee (SC)
representatives. The SC provides overall vision and strategic planning, in
cooperation with the International Coordination Centre, member organisations
and individual members. There can be 7-13 volunteer SC members, serving for a
two-year period. Further information and how to apply:
http://www.worldcarfree.net/about_us/europe/jobs.php 

- World Carfree Day 2009 Reports
We are collecting information on the World Carfree Day 2009: reports, photos,
and videos. If you organised or participated at an event this year, please
don't hesitate to share it with us! We will gladly use all reports and other
information in Carbusters magazine and on the World Carfree Network website.
Please send your contributions to [email protected] 

- Coming up in Carbusters 40!
The next issue of Carbusters magazine is not far off. Brace yourselves for an
update of all the rocking action from World Carfree Day 2009, as well as a
number of other treats including: a special on public transportation, passenger
rights, and free public transportation, along with something pleasing to the
eye... a collage of metro maps from around the world. Much, much more on offer,
so get on board now and subscribe to Carbusters: http://tinyurl.com/ycuq3pf and
check out the action online: http://www.carbusters.org/ and
http://www.facebook.com/carbusters 
  
____________________________________

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS >>
____________________________________

 
- Ride Planet Earth
All Eastern and Central Europeans and avid cyclists on this list, please take
note. Kim Nguyen who is cycling from Australia to Copenhagen (see interview in
Carbusters #40) is looking for people to join his trip to reach the climate
talks on December 6. Currently, he is looking for local contacts in Turkey,
Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany. If
you know of any local organisations, or cycling activists in these places who
could help or join the ride, contact [email protected]. Details of the
route: http://rideplanetearth.org/?page_id=558 

- 2nd MENA Public Transport Congress and Showcase, Doha, Qatar (October 25-27)
This event entitled "Public transport in the MENA region: Turning ideas into
reality" aims to provide a valuable opportunity for networking, knowledge
sharing, as well as learning about the latest product developments and public
transport solutions.
http://tinyurl.com/yetpne6 

- Rail Volution 2009, Boston, US (October 29 –November 1)
Rail-Volution is about building liveable communities with improved public
transport. The conference aims to create a national movement to develop
liveable and sustainable communities.
http://tinyurl.com/y9s3s47

- Training for Public Transport Managers, Belfast, Northern Ireland (November
16-18)
This training programme is directed towards transport professionals has the
objective of improving understanding of global mobility issues, sharing
information about the latest innovations, examples of best practices and to
promote exchange between participants. 
http://tinyurl.com/yc38v4l 

____________________________________

IN THE NEWS >>
____________________________________


- 100 million USD for Transit Agencies 
US President Obama’s administration announced last month that 43 local
transit agencies from more than two-dozen states would share the US$100 million
in competitive clean-transport grants included in this winter's US$787 billion
economic stimulus law.
http://tinyurl.com/myelmf 

- General Motors Free to Release Mercury
Just as the Cash for Clunkers program is dumping hundreds of thousands of
vehicles on auto recyclers, the "new" GM announced they are not obligated to
honour industry-wide recycling measures to capture mercury from old auto
switches. Environmental groups demand that GM fulfil its responsibility.
http://mercurypolicy.org/

- New York, US: Towards a Bike Friendly City?
A recent article in New York Times presents the progress of the city concerning
bike commuting. The city has indeed created 330 km of bike lanes in the past
three years and is planning to create 80km every year until 2030.
http://tinyurl.com/n3utwq

- Trams improve Montreal's Liveability 
The city of Montreal, Canada, is to invest more than a billion Canadian dollars
into a network of new light rail lines and subway extensions, as well as
launching a new bike share system. These new developments will be constructed
over a period of several decades and take place in the most densely populated
areas.
http://tinyurl.com/yalvu2h

- EU Action Plan on Urban Mobility  
The European Commission recently adopted an Action Plan on urban mobility,
which includes 20 measures to help local and national authorities achieve goals
for sustainable urban mobility. The Commission claims the Action Plan, presents
the first comprehensive support package in the field of urban mobility. The
implementation of the Action Plan will be reviewed in 2012, and the need for
further action. The measures do, however, include a commitment to continued
support of low- and zero-emission vehicle research and projects such as hybrid
plug-in and all-electric vehicles. http://tinyurl.com/y94we9b

- UK Law to Encourage Cycling
British ministers are considering making motorists legally responsible for
accidents involving cyclists or pedestrians, even if they are not at fault. It
aims to promote environmentally friendly modes of transport in a country where
only 1% or 2% of journeys are at present made by bike.
http://tinyurl.com/lqeo37 

- Lowest Numbers Planning to Buy a Car in UK
The number of people planning to buy a car is at the lowest level for at least
six years in the UK according to a recent survey. A total of 5.14 million
intend to purchase a new or used-car in the next six months, down by 19% on the
intention-to-buy total from the period March-August 2009 and is the lowest
six-month figure since March 2003. 
http://tinyurl.com/y85r2hk

- UK's Naked Streets 
London is getting naked – well, getting naked streets. Naked streets are
those without traffic lights and stop signs. The Department for Transport has
launched a study into the "naked streets", a concept working on the principle
that motorists are more likely to drive carefully if they use their own
judgment, rather than unthinkingly obeying instructions. A proposal has been
drawn up for London, but schemes are also being considered in across other
parts of the UK. 
http://tinyurl.com/yesu73t

- German Car Scrappage Scheme Scrapped
Government funding for the German car scrappage scheme has run out, marking an
end to what was supposed to help boost car sales. The five billion Euro scheme
encouraged almost two million motorists to scrap their old car and exchange it
for a new one. 
http://tinyurl.com/ycwhzez 

- Dubai Opens New Automatic Metro
Dubai introduced its first metro line last month, providing new mobility in
what has become the one of the world’s densest and unwalkable cities. The
32-mile long metro project is just the first of five planned new lines due to
be opened next summer. Many doubts subsist about the ability of the state to
reduce its traffic despite the developments.
http://tinyurl.com/nq287l 

- Womens Trains in India
The problems of taunting and harassment, known as eve teasing, are so
persistent in India that in recent months the government has decided to simply
remove men altogether. In a pilot program, eight new commuter trains
exclusively for female passengers have been introduced in India’s four
largest cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.
http://tinyurl.com/y9bndad

- Samoans Stranded in Road Switch 
Many Samoans reliant on bus travel may have been stranded following a switch to
driving on the left of the road instead of the right. Many of the Pacific
island nation's buses are banned from driving because their doors now open onto
the middle of the road. The Samoan government introduced the change to end its
reliance on expensive, left-hand-drive imports from America. However, the
change is expected to increase the imports of used cars from Japan and
Singapore. 
http://tinyurl.com/yapfngm 
 
- Changing Direction for Seoul Riders  
Riders on Seoul Metropolitan Subway must now walk on the right through
stations, ending the longstanding Korean habit of walking on the left. The move
is aimed at reducing pedestrian congestion and traffic accidents. Officials
have now decided to undo 88 years of walking on the left in some of the
world’s busiest subway stations, where nearly 8 million trips take place
daily. 
http://tinyurl.com/yc2derb 
 
____________________________________

REPORTS >>
____________________________________
 
- Traffic Noise Kills
A recent Swedish study of 30,000 people in the province of Skåne has confirmed
what many other studies have suggested: that the noise generated by traffic
causes higher blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease, strokes
and blood clots. It states that between 200-500 people in Denmark die every
year because of traffic noise.
http://tinyurl.com/yaa6fg6

____________________________________

MEDIA CORNER  >>
____________________________________


- Guided Trolleybuses in Bologna
These video clips show a new trolleybus corridor in Bologna, Italy, which has
optical guide technology that claims to improve the performance and reliability
of a bus corridor and makes bus systems more accessible and attractive.
http://tinyurl.com/yaxpahh 
  
- Bike Faster than Helicopter
A video from the São Paulo, Brazil, Intermodal Challenge. The challenge was
simple: to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible – during rush
hour – using the mode of transportation of your choice. A biker won the
challenge, with a total time of 22 minutes and the car came way behind, with a
total time of 1 hour 22 minutes.
http://tinyurl.com/ybnqe3z

- Centre-Median Bike Path in New York
More bikeway innovation from NYC. Now nearly complete, the approach to the
Manhattan Bridge is now safer and more enjoyable thanks to a first-of-its-kind
two-way, protected bike path. Frankly, the facility is a perfect solution to
counter the dangers posed by a tangle of roads and highway on-ramps that burden
the area. http://tinyurl.com/yc4pcy9 

- Pedal Power
A new film about the phenomenal growth of city cycling. Take a ride through the
changing world of bike culture, from bicycle-mad Paris to rush-hour New York
and the back alleys of Toronto.
http://tinyurl.com/yaft8d4 

- Park(ing) Day 2009
PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists, and
citizens independently but simultaneously temporarily transform metered parking
spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks. Inspiring pictures
are available at
http://www.parkingday.org/

____________________________________

CURIOS >>
____________________________________

- Bikers Food to Go 
Bicyclists in Portland, the self-proclaimed bike capital of America, now share
the same conveniences as car drivers, as they now pedal to fast-food
drive-throughs which serve bicyclists. Until now, many chain restaurants across
America had refused to serve bicyclists at their drive-throughs. But Portland's
bicycle advocates rallied to the cause, posting stories online of how many in
the Burgerville area were frequently turned away.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-hometown-portland3-2009sep03,0,147327.story


 - Distracted by Art
Distressed citizens in Buguggiate, Italy have expressed concerns over the
distraction and potential dangers caused by roadside artworks and roundabout
sculptures due to gawking drivers. 
http://tinyurl.com/ye8d69t

- At Opposite Ends 
Traffic chaos hit two Paris suburbs after their feuding mayors declared the
same busy road one-way, but in opposite directions. The mayor of
Levallois-Perret, initially made a road in his district one-way road to reduce
the amount of commuter traffic. But mayor of neighbouring Clichy-la-Garenne,
said this increased congestion in his area and made his section of the road
one-way in the opposite direction. With contradictory road-signs in place, the
unsurprising result was gridlock.
http://tinyurl.com/lljdxh 

- Genius Idea
The US Department of Transportation reports gridlock can be eliminated by
simply honking your car's horn. A brilliant idea and a funny video:
http://tinyurl.com/y8n99hd

____________________________________

SUPPORT WORLD CARFREE NETWORK >>
____________________________________


Our joint carfree vision is only as strong as the people who support us. By
donating to WCN you'll strengthen the voice of the movement that's committed to
defending our right to a sound, sustainable future. For donating and joining as
a member, please visit: http://www.worldcarfree.net/join/ Your support will
make a huge difference.

__________________________________

Bulletin #72 by Jane Harding and Marko Thull

World Carfree News - Monthly Newsletter
WORLD CARFREE NETWORK
http://www.worldcarfree.net/bulletin
[email protected]

World Carfree News is published once a month by World Carfree Network.
To unsubscribe email: [email protected] 

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "World Carfree Network" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
Replies are sent to the author of the message.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=en?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

World Carfree News is published once a month by World Carfree Network.
To unsubscribe, send an email to: <world-carfree-news_eng-unsubscribe-3hfIC0tI0F+k/[email protected]>