Quanto segue e' il bollettino di car busters
NON il solito 914 nigeriano -che vedo colpisce pure la lista!-
la notizia qui sotto della muta di cani a monaco di baviera mi ha
rallegrato la giornata...
baci e bici
toni_i
****************************************************************************
************
Worried about terrorists getting hold of your money? Give=20
it to us instead. <
www.carbusters.org/join_us>: a=20
completely ethical investment.
_________________________=20
CAR BUSTERS BULLETIN >>>=20
____________________________________=20
Edition no. 44 - March 2003 - English version
...............................................
Thought for the month:
"GET OUT OF THE BIKE LANE!"
(Simple, but applicable worldwide.=20
<
http://www.getoutofthebikelane.com>)
Contents:
WORLD NEWS
- LONDON LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST CONGESTION
- NEW "BULLET-RESISTANT" FORD
- SUDDEN BICYCLE PROVISION IN MELBOURNE
- CYCLISTS THROWN OUT OF TRAINS IN GERMANY
- THE LATEST BUSH PUSH: SUBSIDIES TO SUVs & HYDROGEN
- SUPPORT CYCLISTS' RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA
- THE DETROIT PROJECT: SAVING AMERICA FROM ITSELF
- DOGS BUST CARS IN MUNICH
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CALL OUT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS - SchNEWS ANNUAL 2003
- SUBVERTISE.ORG NEEDS HELP
- CARNIVAL AGAINST OIL WARS AND CLIMATE CHAOS
- JOB #1: BECAK DESIGNER
- JOB #2: RISINGTIDE INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
- UPCOMING CONFERENCES
CAR BUSTERS ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TWO VACANCIES WITH CAR BUSTERS
DISCLAIMER
_______________=20
WORLD NEWS >>=20
__________________=20
LONDON LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST CONGESTION
[submitted by Eric Britton and Jason Kirkpatrick]
London's much-debated congestion charging scheme came into=20
effect February 17. To the delight of London Mayor Ken=20
Livingstone, who had anticipated a "bloody day," rush hour=20
road traffic in and around the charging zone resembled that=20
of a Sunday morning.
The London Transport Users Committee said it had given=20
"three cheers" to the first two weeks of the scheme,=20
claimed by Transport for London to have caused an estimated=20
25 percent drop in traffic levels, though a British=20
automobile club estimated 60 percent. Overall, the number=20
of vehicles in the charging zone dropped from 250,000 on a=20
typical day to 190,000 on the launch day.
About 90,000 drivers have paid the charge daily since it=20
was introduced. Approximately 10,000 drivers who failed to=20
pay the GBP 5 charge have received Penalty Charging=20
Notices.
London's congestion charging scheme, which cost GBP 200=20
million to set up and around GBP 80 million per year to=20
operate, is expected to reduce traffic in central London by=20
10 to 15 percent and to improve journey times by 25=20
percent. Congestion costs London businesses an estimated=20
GBP 4 million per week. The scheme is predicted to raise=20
GBP 130 million per year to invest in improving London's=20
public transport network.
As the largest congestion charging scheme in the world,=20
the events and experiences of London are being avidly=20
followed by many other cities in the UK and beyond.=20
More information: <
http://www.cclondon.com>.
NEW "BULLET-RESISTANT" FORD
[submitted by Bridget Brown from a Washington Post article]
They don't call them bullet-proof, because that would be=20
"misleading." The initials in the new Ford Lincoln Town Car=20
BPS stand for "Ballistic Protection Series." But this=20
opportunity to survive that first hail of bullets is being=20
marketed at a significantly lower price than most armoured=20
cars.
Lincoln executives denied that they're cashing in on=20
post-September 11 security fears, pointing out that work=20
began on the model two years ago. But this is a sector of=20
the industry which has been rapidly growing long before=20
September 11, 2001: the wealthy fearing for their security=20
is nothing new.
The Town Car BPS goes on sale later this year; but it=20
won't go alone. GM officials confirmed yesterday that they=20
will offer a competitive model, probably a Cadillac DeVille=20
armoured car, also scheduled to be released later in 2003.
No figures for fuel mileage have been given for the 3.4-
tonne vehicle.
The full article is on the following tortuous URL:=20
<
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-
dyn?pagename=3Darticle&node=3D&contentId=3DA40433-
2003Feb7¬Found=3Dtrue>.
SUDDEN BICYCLE PROVISION IN MELBOURNE
[submitted by the urbanbicyclist project]
Starting around six months ago, inner-city councils in=20
Melbourne, Australia, have started making mysterious=20
amendments to all manner of parking and traffic=20
restrictions. A large number of two-hour, one-hour and No=20
Standing parking signs have been amended to read "Bicycles=20
Excepted."
Nearly all of the inner-city councils have been=20
implementing these changes, however none were able to offer=20
any comment when asked about the programme. "I'm sorry, I=20
don't know what you're talking about; we haven't amended=20
any signs," one council engineer responded.
As a further bonus to bicyclists, several One Way, Speed=20
Limit and No Entry Signs have been amended, as well as=20
selected signs that prohibited bicyclists from riding in=20
car parks, through parks and on greeways. It is hoped that=20
city councils around the world will begin to follow=20
Melbourne's example.
CYCLISTS THROWN OUT OF TRAINS IN GERMANY
[submitted by Matthias Bauer]
A year ago it was announced that bicycles would no longer=20
be carried on the fast ICE trains in Germany. Sixteen=20
environmental organisations formally protested, but the=20
move went ahead and now the German Cyclists Club (ADFC)=20
launched a campaign called "Jetzt sind wir am Zug" ("Now=20
we're on course": 'Zug' meaning both 'course' and 'train').
Germany is famed throughout Europe for its integrated=20
system of cycle tracks and its public transport. Bicycle=20
provision was cancelled to try to make the ICEs run on=20
schedule, however the exclusion of bikes hasn't made the=20
ICEs more punctual than other services which do carry=20
bikes. Karsten Huebener, ADFC chairman, has vowed to re-
conquer the trains.=20
The ADFC is mounting a donation drive to support this=20
campaign. This and more info is on their website at=20
<
http://www.adfc.de/politik/ice/>.
THE LATEST BUSH PUSH: SUBSIDIES TO SUVs & HYDROGEN
[submitted by Bridget Brown and Andy Singer, compiled from=20
various sources]
Resident Bush is throwing money around again, the lucky=20
recipients this time being SUV buyers and his friends in=20
the energy business.
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported that=20
another bonus of SUVs being so darn big is that they get=20
the same tax breaks as pick-up trucks when bought by=20
businesses. So executives finally get the benefit of buying=20
something which might or might not be commercial equipment.=20
The Bush administration saw that this was Good and proposed=20
increasing this effective subsidy from US$1 billion to US$3=20
billion per year, allowing the whole cost, 100 percent, to=20
be deducted from the company's income, which means less=20
taxes paid. So small businesses: buy enough SUVs, pay NO=20
TAXES! - provided you don't make more than $75,000 per=20
year. And it must be a big SUV: more than 6,000 pounds (2.7=20
tonnes), and that means CONSUME MORE FUEL!
Oh yes, it's a good time to be in the energy business.=20
It's all happening. Bush announced a US$1.2 billion=20
programme to develop hydrogen fuel cells, the Freedom CAR=20
project, last month. The project injects taxpayer cash into=20
the pockets of the biggest car producers in the US, in=20
exchange for the possibility of getting in 2020 the=20
hydrogen car we've been told about since the early 1990s.=20
There are no definite targets set, though, nor are there=20
any incentives to use renewable energy in hydrogen=20
production. So, they'll be needing some more oil then.
THE DETROIT PROJECT: SAVING AMERICA FROM ITSELF
[submitted by A. Clarke, A. Smith and many others]
Pundit, columnist and author of the book "The Female=20
Woman," Arianna Huffington is a professional outspoken=20
critic of many things in Corporate America. She proposed=20
the idea of a TV ad campaign based on the anti-drug adverts=20
being run in the US, but instead venturing that oil money=20
could also be financing international terrorism. There was=20
a huge response to her column and the two ads have now been=20
completed and aired, provoking a controversial discussion=20
in US media.
One of the ads intercuts people saying how much they=20
like their car with boasts about the terrorist training=20
camps they've funded. The other connects the dots between a=20
simple US everyman called George filling up his SUV and the=20
jubilant gun-wielding terrorists receiving the money. Both=20
close with the message "Detroit: America needs hybrid cars=20
now."
Have a look at the attempts to scare Americans into=20
slightly greener cars at <
www.thedetroitproject.com>.
SUPPORT CYCLISTS' RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA
[submitted by Jason Meggs]
Four civil cases have been brought against Berkeley police=20
for incidents in 2000 and 2001 in which cycle activists=20
were assaulted and property either destroyed, confiscated=20
or both. Numerous activists have been left with ongoing=20
medical symptoms from these attacks, many of which occurred=20
without warning and appeared to be racially targetted.
Many of these incidents were caught on video and form=20
the basis of the strong legal case against the police=20
department. Faced with a possibly lost case, the city=20
attorney is dragging out proceedings. The Bicycle Civil=20
Liberties Union <
http://www.bclu.org> is calling for people=20
in Berkeley, California, the US, or anyone else who feels=20
that they can, to contact the city to demand that they=20
settle the cases quickly and stop the interference in the=20
lives of the activists involved. More information on the=20
BCLU site or at=20
<
http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/01/1563964.php>.
DOGS BUST CARS IN MUNICH
[submitted by Zack from a Reuters report]
March 1, 2003, Germany: A pack of frenzied dogs attacked=20
six parked cars in Munich, damaging them and causing panic=20
among residents woken by the disturbance, the police said.=20
Fenders, mud flaps and license plates were torn off. "It=20
sounded like the cars were being broken into," said G=FCnther=20
Sailler, 63, a local goldsmith. "It was incredible. One of=20
them leaped again and again with unbelievable force into=20
the side of a car and bit into it like a lunatic."
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS >>=20
_____________________________
CALL OUT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS - SchNEWS ANNUAL 2003
[submitted by Kev Smith]
The UK's SchNEWS Annual 2003 is in production and we are=20
calling out for material: photos and short(ish) reports of=20
actions and events, cartoons, spoof advertisements, and=20
people to help put the thing together.
The book will look like a satire on children's comic=20
annuals, dressing up news in funny ways to reach new=20
audiences. We're especially interested in articles about=20
people who are involved in projects which are really=20
offering routes to a sustainable future on a mass scale.=20
The deadline for material is March 15 (not long) - but=20
contact us as soon as possible with your ideas and=20
suggestions. Please keep the articles as brief as possible,=20
we won't have many articles over 1,800 words.=20
Send to: SchNEWS, 55 Canning St, Brighton, BN2 0EF,=20
England; tel: +44 (0)1273 685 913, e-mail:=20
<schnews@???>.
SUBVERTISE.ORG NEEDS HELP
[submitted by Chris Brace]
The web site subvertise.org will almost certainly be closed=20
down within a matter of weeks. The site features many spoof=20
and subverted adverts on themes including feminism, genetic=20
modification, globalisation, transport, and a huge range of=20
others. Unfortunately such an image-heavy website is making=20
great demands on their provider. Now offers of help with=20
web space (or money) are urgently welcomed. See=20
<
http://www.subvertise.org> for the full story, or e-mail=20
<webmaster@???> with anything you can offer.
CARNIVAL AGAINST OIL WARS AND CLIMATE CHAOS
[submitted by London Rising Tide]
Book the day off work and get to London, UK, to BP's Annual=20
General Meeting on April 24 at the Royal Festival Hall.=20
Come down and say NO to Bloody Politics (BP is pushing for=20
a big slice of the Iraqi oil pie), British Plunder=20
(pipelines in Colombia, Tibet, Alaska and West Papua) and=20
Burning Planet.
This will be a celebration of the many safe, sustainable=20
and socially just futures that could lie ahead of us. In=20
the run up to the AGM there will be a speaker tour,=20
alternative AGM and the publication of an alternative BP=20
annual report whose initial aim is to counter the illusion=20
of the 'good' oil company. Please send us BP-related=20
pictures, quotes, graphics, testimonies and other info=20
before March 15, if you're able. April 24 is an=20
international day of action against BP, so look out for=20
actions occurring elsewhere in the world. =20
To get involved in any of the above, or for more=20
information, contact <london@???> or see=20
<
www.burningplanet.net>.
JOB #1: BECAK DESIGNER
[submitted by Paul Steely White]
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy=20
(ITDP) seeks an individual to work with the design team in=20
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to develop a modernised becak (front-
loading tricycle rickshaw). The initial contract is for two=20
months of work during late spring/summer 2003, with the=20
possibility of further terms depending on performance.=20
The position will work with an existing design team=20
including two technicians, a design assistant and a=20
steering group, in relatively primitive conditions,=20
temperatures in the 80s (around 30 Celsius), and using=20
basic tools for welding, tube bending and general assembly.=20
Salary dependent on qualifications, but trip cost, basic=20
accommodation and medical expenses will be covered.
Applicants to this position should submit a resume,=20
cover letter, and three references to: ITDP Becak=20
Modernization Project, Attn: Paul Steely White:=20
<steely@???>. Deadline March 20.
JOB #2: RISINGTIDE INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
[submitted by Heidi Bachram]
A one-year position is available with Rising Tide, an=20
international network of activists taking action on climate=20
change, in Oxford, UK. Responsibilities include organising=20
the annual Risingtide international meeting, managing the e-
groups, collecting news and producing a monthly e-mail=20
bulletin (it's easy!), and a small amount of fundraising=20
for future positions. These responsibilities should leave=20
about half the co-ordinator's time free for other climate-
change related projects.
Applicants need to be eligible for the European=20
Voluntary Service programme: under 26 and from an EU or EVS-
affiliated country, and also have an understanding of the=20
issues, a good working knowledge of English and be able to=20
work independently. For more details contact Heidi, Jo or=20
George on +(44)1865-727911 or 1865-241097; e-mail:=20
<info@???>.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES=20
[submitted by Matthias Bauer and Celia Jones]
* April 11-12: Workshop on the current traffic conditions=20
and alternative traffic concepts for the Erzgebirge=20
Mountains (southeastern Germany). Contact Heike Aghte at=20
DNR - tel: +(49)30-44339187, e-mail: <heike.aghte@???>,=20
web: <
http://www.dnr.de>.
* May 10-11, Bolzano, Italy: International conference of=20
"Transport Initiative Europe," with the main topic=20
"External costs of traffic." Information: <
http://www.ite=20
euro.com>.
And an honourable mention for Coventry University's=20
effort for Car-Free Day 2003. Their conference,=20
"Connecting: People, Culture and the Future of Road=20
Transport," jointly chaired with a product designer from=20
formerly-British car manufacturer MG Rover, looks to be a=20
proud exposition of big road business and car culture.=20
However, "papers concerning incremental developments in=20
vehicle and system design as well as radical proposals are=20
welcome," so we encourage any interested Car Busters to=20
submit. Attending will set you back GBP 300, though. See=20
<
http://www.coventry.ac.uk/connecting>.
______________________________=20
CAR BUSTERS ANNOUNCEMENTS >>=20
__________________________________=20
TWO VACANCIES WITH CAR BUSTERS
Car Busters are still looking to keep our office as full as=20
it is right now. We're currently searching for one long-
term staff member and one single-year Buster. You've seen=20
us do it, you know what we need: some activist experience,=20
good computer skills, good English, sense of humour, some=20
experience with publications, fundraising, and/or media=20
work.
The one-year position is open to European Voluntary=20
Service-eligible people (under 26 and from an EU country).=20
The two-year position is available to anyone. If you think=20
you can stand the white-knuckle ride of international=20
transport activism, please send your CVs and letter of=20
motivation to us at <info@???>. Spread the word.
___________________=20
DISCLAIMER >>=20
__________________=20
Car Busters would like to offer our support to all the=20
brave=20
politicians on the front line poised to strike fear and=20
death=20
into the hearts of an already crippled country in Resident=20
Bush's latest act of international terrorism. And to all=20
those=20
back home opposing the war effort STOP FORWARDING THOSE=20
FAKE E-
MAIL PETITIONS! No one's collecting signatures by e-mail.=20
You can find real e-petitions against war in the Gulf and=20
other ways of stopping it here:=20
<
http://www.earthfuture.com/stopthewar/email.asp>.
____________________________________________
CAR BUSTERS
Kratka 26, 100 00 Prague 10, Czech Republic
tel: +(420) 274-810-849 - fax: +(420) 274-816-727
<info@???> - <
http://www.carbusters.org>
____________________________________________
Best wishes for 2003 from all at Car Busters!
Towards Car-Free Cities III Conference
Hosted by Car Busters - March 17-22, 2003
<
http://www.carbusters.org/conference>
"La bicicletta =E8 il veicolo pi=F9 rapido nella via della delinquenza;=
perch=E8
la passione del pedale trascina al furto, alla truffa, alla grassazione!"
-Cesare Lombroso-
