Contents:

QUOTATION OF THE MONTH

WORLD CARFREE NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS

- AGM 2009 and Network Capacity Building Seminar and Survey
- Logo Redesign Contest
- Steering Committee Vacancies
- Carbusters 38 is out!
- Contribute to Carbusters Magazine

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Bike Week, UK, (June 13-21)
- Slow Down, Cycling and Walking Festival, Huntly, Scotland, UK (19-21 June)
- Green Bikes for Peace, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary (June 19-July
- Bikes Not Cars Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands (July 3-5)
- International Andean Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility, Quito, Ecuador, (July 29 - 31)

IN THE NEWS

- End of the road for General Motors
- New York City goes Carfree
- Toronto’s War on Cars
- European Bicycle Officer
- Bike Scrappage Incentive Germany
- Superb Suburb
- China’s Unhealthy and Unhappy Car Culture
- Singapore’s Metro Expands
- London’s Electric Bus

REPORTS

- Good Practice Guidelines: Delivering Travel Plans through the Planning Process

MEDIA & NETWORKING

- Visual Illustration of Transit Footprint
- Bike Parking Station with a Difference
- Road to the Future
- Colourful Inspiration

CURIOS

- The Beauty of Motorways
- The Google Trike

SUPPORT WORLD CARFREE NETWORK

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QUOTATION OF THE MONTH
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“The car industry is heading for a showdown between discipline and imagination”

John Wormald, a British consultant to auto firms for over 30 years.

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WORLD CARFREE NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
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- AGM 2009 and Network Capacity Building Seminar and Survey WCN is planning to organise a 3-day event consisting of capacity building and network development, together with the 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Prague, Czech Republic, this autumn. It’s been a while since the Network has had a gathering in Europe. Therefore we wish to create as inspirational and empowering event as possible in order to reconnect and revitalize ourselves and for that we need your assistance: We have launched a brief survey to perceive your interests, hopes and wishes regarding the event. Please spare a couple of minutes and let us know your views on our online survey - its worth it, there are carfree T-shirts up for grabs!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6v51nHjeggFfJggmS21cZw_3d_3d

- Logo Redesign Contest
You are probably familiar with the little green man, our logo, if not see http://www.worldcarfree.net/. Although we love him, we feel it’s now time gave the WCN logo a makeover. And we’d like your help doing this! If you would like to take part in the logo redesign contest, please send your new design proposals, graphics and artwork to info@worldcarfree.net. Closing date for entries is August 1 and the winning design will be chosen at the autumn AGM in Prague, Czech Republic. For more information about the contest and other any questions about the logo design, please email info@worldcarfree.net

- Steering Committee Vacancies
The World Carfree Network (WCN) is 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. Nominations are being accepted until the summer period. For further information on the work involved and how to apply for this position please visit http://www.worldcarfree.net/about_us/europe/jobs.php

- Carbusters 38 is out!
The next edition Carbusters magazine has been released and is looking like a great issue! Among other things, it features carfree activities in low-income countries; give up your car - a diet recommended by Carbusters; a new column by Joel Crawford on carfree conversions; and world news update on the decline of the car.

Subscribe to Carbusters magazine:
https://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=8WP&&
Follow Carbusters online:
http://www.carbusters.org
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carbusters-magazine/15367218301?ref=ts

- Contribute to Carbusters Magazine
Do you have carfree-related information you’d like to share with Carbusters? Or do you have a burning issue you’d like to see covered in the magazine? We welcome new and existing volunteer contributors. It is important that contributions correspond with the objectives and topics of Carbusters and World Carfree Network. We invite you to send letters, article proposals, artwork and photos to: editors@worldcarfree.net. The deadline for submissions is July 10 2009.

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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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- Bike Week, UK, (June 13-21)
Bike Week is the UK’s largest mass participation cycling event and provides an annual opportunity to promote cycling as a source of fitness and fun, not to mention an alternative form of transport. This event encourages everyone in the UK to ‘get more out of life’ by getting on your bikes, exploring your local community and finding out just how convenient cycling is for all those short trips we make each day.
http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/

- Slow Down, Cycling and Walking Festival, Huntly, Scotland, UK (19-21 June)
This is a three-day festival celebrating cycling and walking. Activities on offer include walking and cycling trips, workshops, and a seminar on carfree towns. http://www.huntlyslowdown.com/

- Green Bikes for Peace, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary (June 19-July
The Green Bikes for Peace international cycle tour departs June 19, passing through five countries: Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. There will be workshops covering topics of environment protection, sustainability, and active citizenship, as well as discussions and prepare presentations about participants experiences. http://greenbikesforpeace.eu/node/331

- Bikes Not Cars Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands (July 3-5)
This weekend bike festival in Amsterdam is set to declare war on the car. Public space will be temporarily reclaimed for workshops and stalls informing people about transport alternatives, bike races, a critical mass and different parties held across the city. http://www.myspace.com/destroycars

- International Andean Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility, Quito, Ecuador, (July 29 - 31)
Quito’s struggles with traffic congestion are not unique. In fact, the issue is high on the agenda of cities across the region and throughout the developing and developed world. By beginning to organise and disseminate these international experiences, this conference hopes to help guide ongoing efforts
to find sustainable transportation policy alternatives in Quito, across Peru, and throughout the Andean region. http://www.embarq.org/en/international-andean-conference-sustainable-urban-mobility

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IN THE NEWS >>
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- End of the road for General Motors
Auto giant General Motors (GM) has entered bankruptcy protection after incurring debts of around US$173 billion, making it the biggest failure of an industrial company in US history. The move into bankruptcy protection has been backed by the US government, which is now expected to take a 60% stake in the company. The White House is also due to announce an extra $30bn of aid for GM.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8077255.stm

- New York City goes Carfree
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in New York City, US, the Bloomberg administration put a bold plan into effect to reduce traffic congestion by closing two sections of Broadway to vehicles. The closure opened up space for traffic of a different kind - people. Hopefully this bold initiative will encourage mayors in other large cities to implement similar carfree streets.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/nyregion/25bway.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
See the action at:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=13652798

- Toronto’s War on Cars
The ‘anti-car’ council of Toronto, Canada, is focusing its transportation spending almost exclusively on public transit, including CAD$950 million for light rail transit and allocating relatively modest funds for a pedestrian and bike lane strategy. It’s city policy to put pedestrians, cyclists and transit ahead of automobiles as part of its integrated transportation plan. “This city seems to be in a deliberate campaign against vehicles,” said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong. Unlike the additional 10 million cars bought by North Americans each year, Toronto has no plan to accommodate extra vehicles.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/05/17/9483606-sun.html

- European Bicycle Officer
The European Commission announced at the Velo-City congress in Gent, Belgium, that they intend to appoint a ‘European Bicycle Officer’. This decision a result of careful consultation over the last several years engaging a wide spectrum of groups including environment, sustainable transport and new mobility groups from across Europe. This decision helps address the need to tackle urban transport problems, and the need for cooperation and coordination at European level.
http://www.bike-eu.com/news/3420/european-cities-commit-to-cycling.html

- Bike Scrappage Incentive Germany
A number of German cities are developing the ‘car scrappage’ idea by offering subsidies for people to buy new bicycles. Mannheim became the first German city earlier this month to introduce their own scheme, making €5000 available to pay 100 people €50 to exchange an old bicycle for a new one. Around half a dozen German cities are expected to follow their example, such as Witten which budgeted €1000 for 20 such incentives.
http://www.transportenvironment.org/News/2009/5/Bike-scrappage-bonus-offered-in-Germany/

- Superb Suburb
In the German suburb of Vauban, streets are completely carfree. Here biking and walking are the principal forms of transport. Car ownership is not forbidden, but houses cannot have driveways or garages and there is just one main road running to the downtown area. This community is a great example and inspiration for other carfree projects.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/science/earth/12suburb.html?emc=eta1

- China’s Unhealthy and Unhappy Car Culture
China’s state media recently published ‘China’s unhealthy and unhappy carculture’ which examines why Chinese citizens should reduce the desire to own cars. China became the global leader in car purchases in February 2009, and for many Chinese people, owning a car has become a symbol of success and of personal freedom. However, the traffic jams that make getting around a stressful, time-wasting chore, and the pollution cars create is a serious issue, impacting on both public health and happiness.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/16/content_11384110.htm

- Singapore’s Metro Expands
Singapore has opened a new stretch of its metro line, which will provide easier connections to the city’s existing and future metro lines. Once completed in 2011, the entire route will run 33.3 km, making it the longest automated, fully underground rapid transit corridor in the world. Singapore’s massive investment in new rapid transit is one element of the nation’s strong efforts to encourage public transportation use.
http://thetransportpolitic.com/2009/05/29/singapores-circle-line-next-step-for-a-network-of-automatic-metros/

- London’s Electric Bus
Commuters using London’s public-transit system have probably never dreamed of being picked up in an Aston Martin, but it may not be long before that happens. The automaker has teamed with an architecture firm to give the double-decker ‘Routemaster’ bus a makeover. The bus is powered by electric motors integrated into the wheel hubs and has a glass roof on the top deck. Passengers will recline in luxury on leather upholstery and recycled-wood floors - creating a cosy and inviting interior. These new luxurious buses could be on the road by 2011.
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/136/hot-wheels.html

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REPORTS
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- Good Practice Guidelines: Delivering Travel Plans through the Planning Process
Published by the UK Department for Transport and Communities and Local Government. Travel plans are an important tool for developing and promoting sustainable travel - e.g. walking, cycling, public transport, and help to reduce single occupancy car use. The new document guidelines will be valuable to those who work in either transport or planning who will find the detailed information, good practice and case studies helpful.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/travelplans/tpp/

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MEDIA CORNER
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- Visual Illustration of Transit Footprint
A few interesting photographs which illustrate the amount of space taken up by different kinds of transit, bicycle, bus and car. Any guesses which came out worst?
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/05/taking-up-space.html

- Bike Parking Station with a Difference
Short video will take you to Brazil and show you how one very big social bike project is working. ASCOBIKE isn’t your average bicycle parking station. It is located an hour out of Sao Paulo, on the grounds of the commuter rail station in a city with zero bicycle infrastructure. And yet, ASCOBIKE houses 1700 bikes daily, and offers a series of social, legal and bicycle education services.
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ascobike/

- Road to the Future
Documentary examining choices the United States has for investing in its infrastructure, and how they affect the way people live. It explores three very different American cities - Denver, New York and Portland, and their surrounding suburbs - looking at their challenges and possibilities, and how citizens, local and federal officials, and planners struggle to manage a growing America with innovative transportation and sustainable land use policies.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/road-to-the-future/overview/549/

- Colourful Inspiration
An eye-catching action from Brooklyn, New York City, US, where Livable Streets teamed up with local organisations to paint a magnificent mural on a street in Brooklyn. As you’ll see students, teachers, volunteers and neighbourhood residents all pitched in to bring the street to life, courtesy of twelve vibrant colours.
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ps-67-paints-the-pavement-in-brooklyn/

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CURIOS
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- The Beauty of Motorways
Could you identify a ’spooey’ if you passed by one on the course of your highway travels? This is one of the distinctive designs that transportation engineers have conjured up to keep traffic flowing and motorists headed in the right direction when major roads intersect. The disadvantages are that its arrangement can be confusing to some drivers and it tends to be inhospitable to bikes and pedestrians. Take a look at this ‘beauty’ and others at:
http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/05/18/dont-pluck-the-cloverleaf-a-field-guide-to-highway-interchanges-part-1/

- The Google Trike
Google is turning to pedal power to advance its global mapping agenda. The new ‘Street View’ service is an online application allowing you to zoom into street activity, taking you further than the closest magnification on Google Maps or Google Earth. The company plans to deploy bikes or the ‘Google Trike’, which are mounted with 360-degree cameras to map areas in the UK with rougher terrain to improve the Streets View service.
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/0,39029552,49302292,00.htm

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SUPPORT WORLD CARFREE NETWORK
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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.

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Bulletin #68 by Jane Harding

World Carfree News - Monthly Newsletter
WORLD CARFREE NETWORK
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World Carfree News is published once a month by World Carfree Network.

Tags: Alternative Transportation, World Carfree News