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WORLD CARFREE NEWS >>>
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Edition no. 24 - September 2005 - English version
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Contents:
QUOTATION OF THE MONTH
IN BRIEF
WORLD NEWS
- LONDON SCRAPS BUS FARES FOR YOUTH UNDER 16
- RPROTEST WORKS IN BRAZIL
- OIL PRICES GO ABOVE US$70/BARREL
NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
- STOP THE CRIMINALISATION OF CRITICAL MASS IN NEW YORK
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
- WORLD CARFREE DAY IS COMING UP
DISCLAIMER
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QUOTATION OF THE MONTH >>
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(From our history files)
"That van was parked in a place that logic told me it wouldn't be."
- Romark the hypnotist, after finishing his attempt (in Ilford,
England, 1977) at the record in blindfolded driving by "finding" a parked
police van.
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IN BRIEF >>
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- 49 cyclists were arrested at the latest New York City Critical Mass on
August 26. People were arrested for "parading without a permit" and the
police even arrested bicyclists who were obeying all traffic laws.
- In Great Britain, the Sustrans Network is celebrating the fact that
10,000 miles of the National Cycle Network were completed in 10 years by
organising a series of rides. <
http://www.sustrans.org.uk>
- A group of automobile manufacturers, energy producers, academics and
government regulators gathered at the University of California in Berkeley
the 30 of August to discuss a possible alternative to gasoline. They
settled on hydrogen as the new "oil" of the future.
- Good news from the USA. As oil prices are on the rise, car-pooling
(sharing rides with other commuters) experienced a increased interest.
Which proves once more that there are two sides to everything.
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WORLD NEWS >>
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PROTEST WORKS IN BRAZIL
Source: Planka.nu
After two weeks of protest, the Passe Livre movement succeded in stopping
an increase in the price of bus fares in Florianopolis, Brazil. On June 21,
Mayor Dario Berger declared that the city is switching back to the old
prices. The prices had been raised 8.8% on May 30.
For twenty days, thousands of people blocked the streets of central
Florianopolis in protest. This is the second time in one year that people's
protests stopped an increase in the bus fares. Now the movement is fighting
for the municipality to take over the public transport and make it free for
everyone.
OIL PRICES GO ABOVE 70 DOLLARS A BARREL
The price of crude oil went above US$70 per barrel for the first time ever
and stayed there for three days. Then, after the US government opened up
its oil reserves, it fell again to around US$68. The prices went up because
of extensive damage caused by hurricane Katrina to US oil production in the
Gulf of Mexico. We here at World Carfree Network suggest to the people and
government of the United States of America to take a look at their
transportation policies and connect the dots.
LONDON SCRAPS BUS FARES FOR YOUTH UNDER 16
Source: The Guardian
Children aged under 16 are to be given free travel on London's buses in a
groundbreaking GBP70 million scheme.
Ken Livingstone, the capital's mayor, yesterday announced that free bus
travel - currently available for children under 11 - will be extended from
September 1. This will be the first scheme of its kind in the world.
The initiative will cost Transport for London GBP50 million a year in
lost fares and up to GBP20 million to pay for the extra buses. It is seen
as a way of encouraging the young to use public transport and helping those
on low incomes. The scheme is expected to add 50 million journeys a year to
the present 250 million.
Those claiming free travel will need an electronic "Oyster" smartcard.
The mayor said that anyone misbehaving or abusing the system would lose
their benefits. Mr Livingstone said technology will allow easier
identification of those who engage in bad behaviour. London's bus police
force is being expanded, too. The scheme will be extended further next year
anyone under 18 who is a full-time student.
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WORLD CARFREE NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS >>
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WCN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE CRIMINALISATION OF CRITICAL MASS IN NEW YORK
A year ago on Aug. 27, the New York City police mounted a major offensive,
but not against drug dealers, terrorists or criminals. They went after
people on bicycles, cracking down on a Critical Mass group bicycle ride.
Since then, more than 500 cyclists have been arrested and many more have
had their bicycles stolen by police. Last month, almost 50 cyclist were
arrested.
You can help by sending letters to the New York mayor and police
commissioner demanding an end to the arrests, by organizing screenings of
the documentary film Still We Ride and by passing out letters at your local
bike rides and other events.
World Carfree Network calls on the police and public uthorities to
recognize bicycling as a legitimate form of ransportation and to halt their
punitive tactics towards what is a legitimate form of public expression.
Rather than punishing bike riders, New York City should join the world in
recognizing that cycling contributes to a sustainable quality of life for
all. It is time that New York take its place among world-class cities by
promoting sustainable transport, safe bicycle lanes and more pedestrian areas.
To send your letter and to learn more, visit
<<http://www.worldcarfree.net/nyc>www.worldcarfree.net/nyc>.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS >>
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WORLD CARFREE DAY IS COMING UP
Each year on September 22, people from around the world gather to celebrate
World Carfree Day and to show alternatives to the automobile. The
"official" carfree day is September 22, but many cities hold activites all
week or on another more convenient day (such as on the weekend). With the
ever-expanding EU-sponsored European Mobility Week (which isn't just
European anymore, with 1,544 cities in 40 countries participating this
year), the idea of dedicating at least one day a year to promoting
alternatives to car use seem to be catching on.
To find out which cities are holding events, visit
<<http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd>www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd>, where you
can also find posters, e-cards and other resources.
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DISCLAIMER >>
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World Carfree Network does not claim to have invented the idea of "carfree"
cities. We are merely one more force in a long history of the struggle
against the supremacy of the automobile. Our philosophy has a long history,
as you can see for youself at
<<
http://www.bopsecrets.org/CF/goodman-cars.htm>
www.bopsecrets.org/CF/goodman-cars.htm>.
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