Re: Mobility justice project proposal

Hello.

I like the idea of lobbying on 'mobility justice'-type issues such as this, and more broadly as an EU transport policy watchdog. Joint campaigns with Bankwatch and/or T&E are a possibility. WCN is currently trying to obtain funding to allow us to really function as an active network that could lobby more effectively - please contact Cigdem in the Prague office if your organisation would be interested in helping to develop this.

Regards,

Simon.




________________________________
From: K. Tsourlakis <ktsourl-cl+VPiYnx/0Cep0kKqy/[email protected]>
To: carfree_network-/[email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, 4 May, 2010 23:44:58
Subject: [carfree_network] Project proposal


We all know that one of the most detrimental consequence of car use in the cities is the huge proportion of unbuilt space dedicated to their needs, leaving only a tiny slice of free space for the pedestrians and other human activities. It is reasonable, moving towards carfree cities, to try to increase these pedestrian spaces on expense of the part dedicated to car use. However it happens often quite the opposite, and even the few pedestrian spaces are threatened and used by the car drivers. For example in Athens (and most greek cities) the problem of cars on pedestrian spaces is so intense that many people literary cannot walk and the most vulnerable pedestrian categories (like e.g. disables) have been disappeared from the streets and public spaces for this reason.  An additional problem is the extensive use of motorcycles which not only park, but also speed up on pedestrian spaces and have superseded bicycle use (in Athens e.g. circulate nowadays over
 1 million motorcycles and less than 1o thousand bicycles). These are some typical views of "sidewalks" and "pedestrianized" street in Athens:
http://www.pezh.gr/images/alexandras.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/mitropoleos.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/ermou.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/themistokleous.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/gravias.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/mavromixali.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/panelinios.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/dikasthria1.jpg
http://www.pezh.gr/images/dikasthr.jpg
To put things in the right perspective, this is actually a case of violence by the car and motorcycle drivers against the pedestrians, and mostly against the more vulnerable among them (disabled, elderly, small children etc)

Apart from the pressures to the local authorities to handle the issue, we addressed also to the European Commission. Our request can be found here:

http://www.pezh.gr/docs/EE72008_en.htm

and the reply we received here:

http://www.pezh.gr/docs/EE72008a.htm

We also tried to apply to the european ombudsman, but without avail (btw he happened to be greek)

Commission's "advice" included in their reply `is childish and contradictory. Like Pontii Pilati they leave the matter to the police (what a great advice!). But the greek police is actually the main culprit of this violence against the pedestrians. Although otherwise very keen on shooting at unarmed adolescents or torturing desolate immigrants, when it comes to the protection of pedestrians they are completely reluctant, and they avoid to intervene, even when they happen to be present - the refuse to do so, even when asked for. To use their own words, they want to show "clemency" to the illegal drivers who violate pedestrian rights. (if someone can read greek, may have a look at http://www.pezh.gr/docs/astynkatapez2c.htm or http://www.pezh.gr/docs/astynkatapez2a.htm) Of course to the pedestrians who cannot walk, even on these few spaces supposedly left for them by the motorised traffic, or fall victims of car "accidents" (and are accused afterwards by
 them as responsible) they have no mercy.
As for the judges, they are the basic pillar of the greek corruptocracy. They are relentless to petty criminals, but ready to acquit any big crook (like those who led greece to bankrupt). They are totally dependent on the government who appoints the judges of the high courts (and who, in turn, control strictly the rest of the judiciary) and most of them are deeply corrupted. When I applied to the court few years ago, they issued a decision according to which, whenever a driver doesn't find a parking place, it is reasonable to park on pedestrian spaces!

The European Commission's hypocrisy is gloriously manifested when they finance this administration, they implicitly accuse, to construct "sidewalks" like this:

http://www.pezh.gr/docs/zaxarof.htm 

or 

http://www.pezh.gr/docs/loudr.htm

where no sensible pedestrian (and, even more, disabled) could ever walk. Why do they finance motorways and other car use facilities when the administration confess they are unable to guarantee the proper use of cars?

While on this regard the situation is particularly bad in Greece (probably the worst in Europe), there are also many other cities with similar problems. Actually, to some degree, the problem of respect of pedestrian (and bicyclist) rights and spaces, reside in every country. As an international movement we may be more influential towards international entities like the European Commission, than when we act separately. So, my proposal is to plan and implement interventions to the European Commission (a kind of lobbying) for the establishment of european policies for the extension, but even more for the protection and preservation of pedestrian and bicycle spaces.


s.d.field-qw6QB7/[email protected] wrote:

> Hi all.
>
> As the list has gone very quiet in recent months, I'd like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that we encourage the discussion of practical project ideas and the TCC conference series - see previous message - as well as calls for assistance with campaigns, consultation responses, sourcing data and reports and the like.
>
> General news items should be sent to [email protected] for inclusion in the next monthly World Carfree News Bulletin. However, you may send alerts for conferences, films, etc. to the carfree_network list if these will happen before the next scheduled Bulletin is sent.
>
> For theoretical discussion, please subscribe to one of the many groups listed here:
> http://www.worldcarfree.net/listservs/#other
>
> We look forward to reading your carfree ideas and helping to mould them into new high-impact projects that really make a difference!
>
> Regards,
>
> Simon.



      

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