Today is International Car Free Day
If PARK(ing) Day wasn't enough for you, there's another day of paradigm-shifting activism taking place this weekend. Today is World Car Free Day. I don't think I need to explain what that is, do I? Good.
The organizers, who work all year to reduce people's needs for cars, want to make this year's event more than a one-day change of habit. From their website:
But we do not want just one day of celebration and then a return to "normal" life. When people get out of their cars, they should stay out of their cars. It is up to us, it is up to our cities, and our governments to help create permanent change to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and other people who do not drive cars.
Let World Carfree Day be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars...365 days a year.
As the climate heats up, World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of to the automobile.
So, how's the campaign going? According to green insurance company Ibuyeco, 88 percent of people in the UK do know know about this initiative. Beyond that, 72 percent said, when they were told about the plan, that they would not even think about participating. The main reasons people would keep on driving: work, shopping and visiting family (in that order).[Source: World Carfree Day, Ibuyeco]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony Belding 9:07AM (9/22/2007)
Sorry, but I have to get groceries this morning.
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T2 10:07AM (9/23/2007)
"When people get out of their cars, they should stay out of their cars."
Steady on, isn't a car supposed to be a metaphor for freedom ? Nope a World Car Free Day won't be flying with me.
On the other hand could we have a World 'Free Car' Day instead ?
T2
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Chris M 11:09PM (9/23/2007)
There are days I don't use the car - because I don't have to. But I'm not giving up the car because sometimes I need it.
Trying to get people to go "car free" just won't fly. Getting people to avoid unnecessary driving would be a much better and more effective campaign.
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