car free day

chewy

whats ya reckon the council(s) will do with this year? get glenda gibson to pose beside a bike and then call it a day?

so far this is all the official company doing cfd has
http://www.sei.ie/content/content.asp?section_id=518
no details

the official euopean site for cfd is at http://www.22september.org/

and finding the guidlines for cfd at

http://www.22september.org/pdf/char01_en.pdf

it says

Set aside one or several areas that are reserved solely for pedestrians, bicycles and public transport during
the entire day (i.e. from at least 1 hour before to 1 hour after the normal working hours).

If this is not the first participation the size of the car free area should be greater than in previous years.

-now last year no streets were closed afaik and the year before 3 small out of the way streets... 2001 a large apt of the city was closed

i was wondering if there was a minimun number of streets that needed to be closed to actually participate in the europe wide cfd which the council claims to do, i suggest the council is not doing this... hence why certain people would take it into their owns hands:)

afaik rts/cm heads only have plans for a extended critical mass on the day ( a wednesday) but if your interested in that end of things email rts-dublin@yahoogroups.com or visit http://www.freewebs.com/rts-dublin/


thoughts

Flukey

It's a nice idea, but for a lot of people it isn't really practical. Your own car gives you a lot more freedom to come and go as you please and in some jobs that is very important or useful. Car sharing isn't always practical. Your neighbours might work nowhere near you and you colleagues might live miles from you. I don't drive at all myself, but I can see things from the drivers perspectives. I also would not be in favour of charging people to bring their cars into town. You need positive ways to encourage people to leave cars at home. Public transport improvements has to be number one on that list. Once their are alternatives there, then we can use car free day types of initiatives to get people to change their habits.

chewy

well i definitly think the old rail lines should be opened up, but there are endless examples of cfd in other cities round the world that do it, brussels closes the roads every year, there are several cfd towns in europe and i believe, is it rome (cos of the pollution) or some italien cities have a car free day every week...

there no reason why dublin and other irish cities can't do it if these various cities do...

again it was done in 2001 i think, the sky didn't fall down!

in fact i say it's a necessity,

ps check out this thread

car free cherryorchard proposal
http://www.archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?threadid=3270

blobert

If they just banned cars from the city centre, every day could be a car free day. As a cyclist I'd love it but I think the car owners might object...

chewy

getting the in the way of progress!

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/3867999?view=Eircomnet

Cities and towns prepare for car free day
From:ireland.com
Wednesday, 25th August, 2004

Twenty cities and towns across the country have confirmed they will take part in this year's European Car Free Day on Wednesday, September 22nd.

Last year 17 cities and towns took part in the event in Ireland with over 1500 cities participating worldwide.

Parts of urban centres will become no go areas for cars and there will be free public transport provided throughout Europe aimed at encouraging motorists to leave their cars at home and use public transport, walk or cycle.

Mr Tom Halpin of Sustainable Energy Ireland said: "If, through Car Free Day, we can plant a seed in people's minds that there are alternatives to the car that address at least some of our needs, we will have achieved something positive".

According to Sustainable Energy Ireland one of the main focuses will be on promoting sustainable transport options for school children including car pooling, walking, cycling, public/private bus transport and the "walking schoolbus" which was successfully piloted in 2003.

Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail also stated their support for European Car Free Day.

The 20 Irish cities and towns confirmed to take part this year are: Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Clonakilty, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick city and Limerick county, Navan, Portlaoise, Portmarnock, Portrane, Sligo, Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford, Westport and Wicklow.

robfitz

There is a bit more information in the paper, page 3. In Dublin it looks like only O'Connell Street will be closed. Might be worth heading to Cork City, looks like they are going to make a bit of an effort.

John R

Flukey wrote:

It's a nice idea, but for a lot of people it isn't really practical. Your own car gives you a lot more freedom to come and go as you please and in some jobs that is very important or useful.

I would love to know the numbers of car drivers for whom this is actually true, scratch the useful bit.

I would be amazed if more than 20% of city car drivers NEED to use them.

Flukey

True, a lot of them don't need to, but given the choice, people generally prefer to look after their own transport, so they can come and go as and when they please, rather than relying on someone else, be it private or public transport. It gives them that extra bit of flexibility. As someone who does not drive, I know how restrictive it can be in a lot of ways, having to rely on others to get around for a lot of my transport. There are advantages, but on balance it is nice to have that extra bit of independence and convenience your own transport gives you.

John R

And that is exactly why restrictions need to be placed on private car movement in the city. The carrot doesn't work, time for the stick and make it a very big one.



*The typical Irish motorist's take on car free day: "great, less cars on the road, I can drive into town quicker". Then when stuck in an extra long traffic jam: (without even a hint of irony) "What are all these feckers doing in their cars, don't they know it is car free day".

chewy

"but on balance it is nice to have that extra bit of independence and convenience your own transport gives you."

thats what your feet are for and you can walk alot further than you think...


okay so they are closing off o'connell street, and it is one motherF'er of big street but its still only one street...

ie NOT GOOD ENOUGH

goes off to find how many cities around the world are closing off the entire city or a significant amount of streets...

chewy

building/grasping

ireland is not listed as being a particpant or supporter on the official eu site even with its announcement yesterday...

http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org/part/campaign_participation_2004.php

robfitz

We may not be participating very well be we have signed the pledge.

http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org/documents/pledge_2004_en.pdf

"IN TOWN, WITHOUT MY CAR!" DAY PLEDGE
DECLARATION OF MINISTERS AND HIGH REPRESENTATIVES
OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
With regard to the citizens' growing concern of the negative effects of traffic on the quality of life in their
towns and cities, we the undersigned:
· welcome the European "In town, without my car!" Day initiative;
· commit ourselves to promote and facilitate the organisation by local authorities of the annual
campaign, each 22 September at least, on the basis of the "In town without my car!" Charter;
· invite other countries inside and outside Europe to join the initiative in order to enable as many
citizens as possible to discover more sustainable means of transport and to enjoy a healthier and
more friendly city.
E.U. signatory Ministers
For Ireland, N. DEMPSEY
For the European Commission, M. WALLSTRÖM
For Austria, W. MOLTERER For Italy, G. SILVESTRINI
For Belgium, I. DURANT For Luxemburg, C. FRANK
For Denmark, S. GADE For the Netherlands, H. BROUWER
For Finland, L. SILFVERBERG For Portugal, J. SOCRATES
For Spain, J. MATAS
For France, D. VOYNET
For Germany, J. TRITTIN For Sweden, U. SVIDEN
For the United Kingdom, A. WHITEHEAD
For Greece, T. KOLIOPANOS
Joining Ministers or national and regional government representatives :
For Romania, A.C. ILIE
For Hungary, A. SZVETNIK
For Turkey, F. AYTEKIN
For Serbia, M. R. VUKOSAVLJEVI
For Estonia, H. KRANICH
For Slovenia, J. KOPAC
For Lithuania, A. KUNDROTAS For Bulgaria, D. ARSSENOVA
For Macedonia, V. DZABIRSKI For Poland, S. ZELICHOWSKI
For Slovakia, L. MIKLÓS For Albania, L. XHUVELI
For the Czech Republic, M. KUZVART For Bosnia Herzegovina, N. DJURIC
For Iceland, S. FRIDLEIFSDOTTIR
For Cyprus, C. THEMISTOCLEOUS
For Croatia, B. KOVACEVIC For Montenegro, M. DJURICKOVIC
For Latvia, V. MAKAROVS For Norway, B. BRENDE
For Malta, F. ZAMMIT DIMECH For Moldova, G. DUCA

chewy

again i say


Set aside one or several areas that are reserved solely for pedestrians, bicycles and public transport during
the entire day (i.e. from at least 1 hour before to 1 hour after the normal working hours).

If this is not the first participation the size of the car free area should be greater than in previous years.

i doubt dempsey read the guidelines he let endomol handle things like this...

Zaph0d

If O'Connell Street is only closed to private cars I doubt anyone will notice much. Most traffic on O'Connell Street consists of buses and taxis. Dublin Bus, for some reason, routes nearly every north-south bus along this street.

I suggest a real car free day would happen if we closed the all workplace car parks. Why not start with the DTO (Stephen's Green), Leinster House, The Revenue (Dublin Castle) and Dublin City Council (Wood Quay)?

These are the policy makers and they all get free car parking for which they pay no BIK tax.

Flukey

JohnR, an example from my own experience today, as to why people take their cars to work. I left my workplace in Mulhuddart today shortly after 2pm. After a long wait for a bus, and then some heavy traffic, I finally got into town about 4pm! If I had a car, I'd have been able to leave immediately and at that time would have been able to beat the traffic and could have got to where I was going in a fraction of the time than it actually took me. I got to where I wanted, so I didn't need a car, but if I had one it would have made things a lot easier, don't you think? That is why people bring their cars to work.

John R

Flukey wrote:

JohnR, an example from my own experience today, as to why people take their cars to work. I left my workplace in Mulhuddart today shortly after 2pm. After a long wait for a bus, and then some heavy traffic, I finally got into town about 4pm! If I had a car, I'd have been able to leave immediately and at that time would have been able to beat the traffic and could have got to where I was going in a fraction of the time than it actually took me. I got to where I wanted, so I didn't need a car, but if I had one it would have made things a lot easier, don't you think? That is why people bring their cars to work.

Of course it is only because SO MANY OTHERS think in exactly the same manner that even a simple journey like that takes so long. Is it that you are incapable of linking car use with gridlock or do you think that the bus service is slow just for a laugh?
I am well aware that the vast majority are not going to leave the car at home no matter what other alternatives are put in place. That is why we need restrictions against car use in the city. It is better for all that some people are denied the use of their car for certain journeys.

Flukey

Well are we restricting peoples rights by doing so? Some smart person would be likely to mount a legal challenge on tha basis. The wait for the bus wasn't totally due to gridlock. As I said, had I got the bus earlier, I would have avoided the gridlock, but one did not come. Well actually, one did come, but it was full of people from a nearby industrial estate, who had presumably left their cars at home, and it passed by myself and the others waiting at the stop.

I am not knocking buses. As a non-driver I am a very regular user of them, more than most people. No matter how good public transport is, it is never as convenient as your own car, which enables you to come and go at a time suited to you, at a pace suited to you and by a route suited to you. There are lots of other advantages of having your own car. For example, simple things, like the abillity to carry things. If I purchase any large item, I can't carry it home by hand or on a bus. Earlier this year, my PC needed repairing so I had to get it back to the shop I bought it, which is a long way from where I live. As a non-driver I had to get my brother to bring it our for me and my father to bring it back for me. I am restricted interms of doing those things. By bus, getting from A to B may require you going to D first, even though B was not that far from A. By car you could go direct from A to B. That sort of flexibility isn't offered by public transport. It has fixed destinations and fixed routes. A large amount of destinations people want to go to are not served by public transport, to a sufficient level. Encourage people onto public transport by all means. Impove and provide innovations to the services. While doing all that, drivers shold no be restricted or penalised if they want to use their own transport. Get them out of their cars by positive initiatives, not by negative ones. Public transport has improved and more people have moved out of their cars. That is the way to do it. Encourage them to get our of their cars, but don't force them. Trying to force them will only be counter-productive.

chewy

yeah carry large stuff is a difficult one... you pity much need a car, but the main solution to that is bike trailers or thedutch bikes(what they called again)... so thats one answer to that not the answer to be fair...

or infact a handcart even or one of those granny type things, yes im serious!

Victor

Flukey wrote:

No matter how good public transport is, it is never as convenient as your own car, which enables you to come and go at a time suited to you, at a pace suited to you and by a route suited to you

But when I get the bus, I never have to buy the bus, tax, it insure it, learn to drive, fuel it maintain / repair it, park it ..... two sides to convenience. The AA estimate that a family car costs €10,000 a year to run (including capital cost). An annual travel ticket will cost you €500-1,000 a year (an annual Irish Rail anywhere in the country is admittedly a bit over €2,000).

Car numbers will expand to fill available road space.

Zaph0d

Flukey wrote:

JohnR, an example from my own experience today, as to why people take their cars to work. I left my workplace in Mulhuddart today shortly after 2pm. After a long wait for a bus, and then some heavy traffic, I finally got into town about 4pm! If I had a car, I'd have been able to leave immediately and at that time would have been able to beat the traffic and could have got to where I was going in a fraction of the time than it actually took me. I got to where I wanted, so I didn't need a car, but if I had one it would have made things a lot easier, don't you think? That is why people bring their cars to work.

You are right Flukey, not having a car is an enormous inconvenience in Dublin and for the most part, only those who can't afford it don't have access to a car.

However it is not true that every journey is easier by car. If you live within 5 minutes walk of a Luas stop and your destination is within 5 minutes walk of another Luas stop on the same line, and the frequency of the trains is every 5 minutes, then it will be easier and cheaper to take the train.

Carfree day is meant to be a one day festival to open people'e eyes to the pleasure of walking around a few streets in a city that have been closed off to cars.

Cabaal

blobert wrote:

If they just banned cars from the city centre, every day could be a car free day. As a cyclist I'd love it but I think the car owners might object...

They could do this in Waterford,
hell even if they moved all the f*cken taxi's it would be a start
bloody useless corporation, they can't even stand up to a few taxi drivers

Bee

Car numbers will expand to fill available road space.

Progress!

A huge amount of the available road space has been removed due to luas/qbc/bus corridors and all it has done has been to put an increased cost on business (passed on to Joe Public!) coupled with pathetic engineering resulting in excessive coss and life threatning delays to all of the emergency services.

Removing roadspace is no solution to increased traffic.

Bee

Flukey

Adding roads adds more cars, but removing roadspace will only help if sufficient alternatives are put in place. There has to be a happy medium. We need to get more people into public transport for their fixed and regular journeys, like work or school runs. More general transport will also need the car.

chewy

do you ever leave later and get the bus a few stops rather then walking... i do this sometimes but i often get the dart into town and then get the 16 to a place i go on harrington street.. its a good 15 min walk but if i have the time make the time i try to walk it instead...

ever notice ppl going a couple of stops on the bus...paying for it and all

Flukey

Yes, some people are very lazy. They have been spoilt. Parents giving kids lifts, relatively short distances to school, starts this trend. As to those waiting for the bus, the funny thing is that they were probably longer waiting for the bus than it would have taken them to walk the distance they were going. I don't mind long walks myself, or even the shorts ones that seem too much for some people. If more kids would walk or cycle to school, there would be a lot less traffic out there. A 5 minute walk is like being asked to run a marthon for some people. :rolleyes:

John R

Bee wrote:

A huge amount of the available road space has been removed due to luas/qbc/bus corridors and all it has done has been to put an increased cost on business (passed on to Joe Public!) coupled with pathetic engineering resulting in excessive coss and life threatning delays to all of the emergency services.

Total BS. Any excess cost pales into insignificance with the cost to us all of the chronic congestion in this city. Bus lanes are very useful for the emergency services, they can now quickly use many roads that would have been completely blocked in peak times.

Bee wrote:

Removing roadspace is no solution to increased traffic.

No, Removing cars is.

In general there has been little removal of roadspace instead it has been reallocated away from cars and commercial vehicles in favour of bus, bike and pedestrian. The only problem I have is that is has not been done enough and many of the changes have been poorly planned and implemented.

Victor

Flukey wrote:

If more kids would walk or cycle to school, there would be a lot less traffic out there.

If more adults would walk or cycle, there would be a lot less traffic out there.

vector

Victor wrote:

If more adults would walk or cycle, there would be a lot less traffic out there.

Its all very well saying that in the summer, but coming into winter cycling changes completely, cold knuckles, rain, darkness.

Yes you can wear gloves, coat, lights but that is a step too far.

chewy

as far as i know o'connell str ain't gong to be closed, there no more details being put out...

no huge lose in a way closing off just one street whihc mainly takes buses anyway should have done the whole city...

but anyway theres going to be a critical mass on wednesday evening at 6 as usual gathering at the garden of rememberance parnell sq and winding around the city for a bit... all forms of self powered transport welcome from skateboards to walkers to bikes... there even be some free food...


check out this excellently put together vid of last months one...
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=66364&condense_comments=false#comment85266

chewy

In Town Without My Car Day 2004 - Information

The general objectives of “In Town Without My Car Day“ as outlined in the European Charter for Car Free Day 2004 are: -

1. To encourage behaviour compatible with sustainable mobility and in particular the protection of air quality, the mitigation of global warming and the reduction of environmental noise.

2. To increase awareness among citizens about the effect of their choice of transport mode on the quality of urban environment.

3. To provide opportunities for people to walk, cycle and use public transport instead of driving alone, and to promote intermodality.

4. To give people an opportunity to rediscover their city, town or village, their fellow citizens and their heritage in a healthier and more liveable environment.

The European initiative should also be used as an opportunity to pilot long-term measures and actions designed to decrease pollution, noise and congestion arising from over-reliance on cars for journeys in towns and cities, and to enhance public awareness of these issues.

The thematic focus for 2004 on the European front is “SAFE STREETS FOR CHILDREN”, whils’t Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) are organising “National Participation Awards” for schools. Hence there will be a high concentration on school participation.

Outlined below is what Dublin City Council intends to do on the day:-
Centrally (Contact point Brian McManus 6723847)
· An announcement to be made, on the day in relation to a permanent road closure of a major road in the City. chewy- road with luas on st stephens green?
· Publish an initial results on the air quality survey carried out in the streets around St Stephens Green due to the new traffic flow arrangements (supports article 2 of Charter)
· Pilot the Early Start Programme devised by the Road Safety Unit, in a number of schools in the Areas. The aim of the Programme is to build the foundations of young pupil’s road safety knowledge and stay safe when near traffic with a responsible adult. (Supports the main Car Free Day Theme for 2004)


The following are proposals for events taking place in the five Areas: -

South Central Area, Inchicore (Contact point Niall O Gorman 2225111)

· It is proposed that there will be an official launch of car free day in Inchicore by the Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan who has already agreed to do it and has it in his diary. He may also present prizes to the winners of the schools competitions

· There will be a press release, which will outline the day’s events.

· Staff in their office will also be encouraged strongly to walk, cycle or use public transport to work on that day. (Art.1 of Charter)

· Three large European Car Free Day banners will be erected at strategic positions around Inchicore, which will inform people of traffic limitations/activities directly or via web site advertised on the banners. (Art. 1)

· It is envisaged that the five schools in Inchicore will play a central part in the day’s activities and indeed in the week leading up to the event. The plan is to liaise with the schools in the weeks preceding car free day and to get them to decide on whether they want to do an essay or art project on a relevant topic. Prizes for winners will be awarded. (Art. 2)

· It is hoped to give a European Car Free Day reflective armband to every pupil in the five schools. There will also be a donation made to the schools. (Supports Car Free day Theme)

· The pupils of the schools will be encouraged within reason to walk, cycle or get the bus to school. Teachers will be encouraged likewise. (Art. 3)

· The Road Safety Unit will also call to the schools to promote the Early Start Program. ( Support CFD theme, pilot project)

· On car free day itself the schools will set off in the morning to a number of well organised events which will include :
A tour of the C.I.E works in Inchicore,
A tour of the Traffic Contro Centre, Civic Offices,
A guided walk around the historic and cultural sites in the area. As arranged by the Inchicore Heritage Committee. (Art. 4)

· The schools will converge on Grattan Crescent where the road will be closed from 12-3pm (to be confirmed) followed by a large street party. The Street party will include the official launch of car free day by the Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan, who will give out the prizes to the school children. There will be bouncy castles, adventure centres, face painters, clowns and some unusual stuff like tandems and penny-farthing bikes etc. The kids will also be provided with a suitable lunch at the event. (Art. 4)


· Running parallel to the kids events earlier that morning it is proposed that City Council Staff will be wearing t-shirts with European Car Free Day on them and will be going around bus and luas stops giving people stamped addressed European Car Free Day postcards which will need to be filled in, possibly with a few relevant questions on them, and returned to us where we will hold a draw and the winners will receive a combined bus and luas travel pass for the year. (Art.3+4)

· The local disability group have also indicated that they may wish to have an active participation during the day. (Art 2)







North Central Area (contact Point: Brian Kennedy 8166712 )
Initiatives to encourage sustainable transport modes with local businesses, schools or other local groups:

· Roll out of Early Start and Quick Start Program (Supports CFD theme)
· Transport Audit of local businesses. (Art. 1&2)
· Transport audit of City Council Staff in local offices. (Art. 1&2)
· Questionnaire to local businesses re home deliveries (Art. 2)
· Car Free Zones- Bull Island. (Art. 4)
· Promotional and Awareness raising Activities including Radio advertising on Near FM, advertising in Northside People, Article in Local Newsletters (Art.2)
· Awareness campaign in Northside Shopping Centre. (Art. 2)
· Leafleting on Malahide Road. (Art. 2)
· Permanent measures to be introduced or piloted - Cycle racks. (Art. 3)
· Development of map of Cycle path from Sutton to East Point, which will include locations\points of environmental interest. Photographic display in Bull Island Interpretative Centre to support the project. (Art 1&2&3&4)

South East Area (Contact Point Darach O’Connor 6722938)
· This year the initiative has been spread throughout the area. All primary schools have been written to in the area and five responded. Each of these schools will, be funded too organise their own events that will support the theme of “Safe Streets for Children” and the promotion of article 2 of the Charter.

· Rathmines Information Centre have also be contracted to organise a range of promotional events on the day.

Central Area. (Contact Point Kieran Cunningham 8736516)
· Roll out of Early Start and Quick Start Program (Supports CFD theme)
· Promotion of walking to school; to carry out a “hands up” survey in the schools before and on Car Free Day in order to quantify the number of children walking to school. (Art. 2)
· Repeat the successful events, of last year i.e., Street parties and the informal closure of some local roads in the area. (Art. 4)


North West Area (Contact Point Bob Ward 6725406)
· Repeating the successful events of last year, through the promotion of various types of competitions in a selected number of schools in the area.
· Supporting the Early Start and Quick Start Pilot Program put will run them later on in the year (Supports CFD theme)
· Carry out a repeat survey on means of transport used by people in the area to see if there is any change from last year. (Art.2)
· Leaflet industrial estates in area promoting car free day and encouraging the use of public transport to work, if possible.

Hagar

Victor wrote:

But when I get the bus, I never have to but the bus, tax, it insure it, learn to drive, fuel it maintain repair it, park it

Is it not true that every single journey made on every mode of public transport is in fact subsidised by the taxpayer?

So in effect I am partially taxing, insuring, fueling, maintaining, paying the driver, paying for his training, paying for the premises upon which it it parked, etc etc. This is depite the fact that I never ever use public transport. All this is in addition to me funding my own private transport.

Hagar

It was just on the news that Cork County Council has hired a bus to carry them the 600m from the Town hall to the point where they will make their symbolic "car free" walk through the town centre. Yeah, town.

sliabh

Hagar wrote:

Is it not true that every single journey made on every mode of public transport is in fact subsidised by the taxpayer?

Every journey is partially funded that way, walking, cycling or driving. Roads, paths, traffic lights, etc are all paid for by the state.

I can't find the reference at the moment but I have seen figures that show that VRT, petrol excise and so on does not cover the true cost of motoring when you factor in congestion, noise and air pollution etc.

chewy

We will not be closing O'Connell St on the day. Although we were actively
considering it we decided that there was no benifit at this particular time in
closing it.

Hagar

sliabh wrote:

are all paid for by the state.

The state only has the money that it collects from the taxpayer.
All costs for everything are borne by the taxpayer.
You can't seperate the state from it's constituent citizens as if it were a seperate entity.

(Even EU funding comes from some taxpayer somewhere.)

Zaph0d

Hagar wrote:

So in effect I am partially taxing, insuring, fueling, maintaining, paying the driver, paying for his training, paying for the premises upon which it it parked, etc etc. This is depite the fact that I never ever use public transport.

This is true. Meanwhile the non-car owning section of society helps subsidise the social and economic costs of private car use. Think noise and air pollution, fatal accidents, 'free' car parking at many shops and higher public health costs due to obesity. Because car owners are not asked to foot these bills entirely, I choose to drive.

robfitz

http://www.sdcc.ie/index.aspx?pageid=539&deptid=12&pageno=49

CAR FREE DAY

ORGANISED CYCLES CONVERGING ON COUNTY HALL
FROM RATHFARNHAM AND LUCAN TO TALLAGHT

Participants will utilise 20 Km of newly constructed cycle track in the South Dublin County Council cycle track network.

MEET AT STARTING POINTS AT 10 a.m.

Participants may join at a number of key strategic points along the route.

1. START: Dodder Park Road at the traffic lights at Woodside
2. Dodder Park Road Rathfarnham road junction
3. Templeogue Road at Springfield Ave.
4. Templeogue Road at Spawell
5. Tallaght Village - Main street
6. FINISH: at County Hall

1. START: Lucan Road at Junction of Chapel Hill
2. Lucan Road at Woodies
3. Fonthill Road at Balgaddy Road
4. Clondalkin Village – Tower road at Civic offices
5. Belgard Road at Embankment Road (Beside Luas )
6. FINISH: at County Hall

Refreshments will be served on arrival at County Hall

Map of Cycle Track Network

OTHER EVENTS OCCURRING ON THE DAY INCLUDE:

Presentation of BYPAD+ certificate

BYPAD+ is a bicycle policy audit research project for evaluating local cycling policy.

BYPAD+ facilitates the evaluation of a city’s current local cycling policy. It points out the strong points as well as the deficiencies of the current policies and thus provides a definite starting point for improvement.

South Dublin County Council having completed the EU BYPAD+ cycle policy audit has been awarded a certificate.

This will be presented to Cllr Therese Ridge as chairperson of the Transportation S.P.C. at the time the audit was carried out.

Launch of EU ITIS/ANPR Projects -

The Council’s Traffic Dept. has recently joined with a number of other EU partners to develop new applications for Information Technology Systems beyond those currently in use.

The EU ITIS (Intermodal Traveller Information Systems) Project will be focused on the needs of drivers and public transport users in providing them with an information system to help in estimating journey times, identifying congestion peaks, and overall journey planning with links between the different transport modes.

The ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) Pilot Project is the first step in this process, and involves surveying and analysing vehicular traffic from six locations on the three radial national routes (N4, N7 and N81) to capture origin and destination and journey time data. The necessary infrastructure will be in place by end-year and will be fully operational by March 2005.

It is intended that on completion of the first phase, the project will be rolled out for wider application in the Greater Dublin Area and beyond. The system will also be linked via the Council’s website to other traffic and travel applications with a view to maximising the resources of the Council’s Traffic Management Centre.

Mobility Management Plan & Publication of Staff Travel Survey Report.

The Traffic and Transportation Department of South Dublin County Council carried out a survey of staff in County Buildings, Town Centre, Tallaght to determine existing travel patterns and identify potential for mode shift from the private car towards more sustainable modes including public transport.

This report will form part of a programme of travel demand management measures being introduced countywide in line with the DTO strategy document, ‘A Platform for Change 2000 – 2016’. The research results will form an important information source to the Traffic and Transportation Department of South Dublin County Council.

Announcement of Cycle parking facilities
In order to improve access to sustainable transportation modes South Dublin County Council is providing quality cycle parking facilities at strategic bus stops initially in the Lucan and Rathfarnham areas. As shown on MAP
This is the first part of an extensive network of cycle parking facilities

DETAILS OF FARE REDUCTIONS:

Dualway coaches
Standard fare of €1.50 applies on the day for all journeys on the 613 and 2311 services

Dublin Bus

Bus Eireann

Victor

Bus Éireann http://www.buseireann.ie/site/news_centre/travel_reports.asp?action=view&news_id=279

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/4050540?view=Eircomnet

Minister urges people to embrace Car Free Day
From:ireland.com
Monday, 20th September, 2004

The Government has urged people in the towns and cities participating in European Car Free Day this week to leave their cars at home and use alternative means of transport.

The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, said today that efforts to maintain air quality in Irish urban areas are being hampered by emissions from cars and other vehicles.

The number of private cars on Irish roads has increased by over 80 per cent since 1990, although Ireland is still significantly below the EU car ownership average.

Despite this, the progress being made in environmental protection is being slowed by the growth in overall vehicle numbers and vehicle journeys, he said.

Car Free Day, which takes place across Europe on Wednesday, September 22 nd, is an attempt to show motorists they have other options to using their cars.

"I would ask everyone to stop and think 'Do I need to use the car for this trip, or could I walk, cycle or take the bus instead?'" the Minister said.

"It should not be left to the EU, or myself as the Minister for the Environment or local authorities to make a difference," he said. "That is something everyone of us can, and should, do not just on Car Free Day but in our everyday lives."

One of the main thrusts of Car Free Day is to promote different transport options for school children. These include car pooling, walking, cycling, buses and the "Walking School Bus", which was introduced last year.

The towns participating are Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Clare, Clonakilty, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick City and county, Navan, Portmarnock, Portrane, Sligo, Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford, Westport and Wicklow.

Public transport will be free in a number of these areas on the day.

Victor

Sustainable Energy Ireland http://www.sei.ie/content/content.asp?section_id=518

In your local area http://www.sei.ie/uploads/documents/upload/Area-finalised_lasplanstable2.doc

Hagar

"In a bid to encourage car users to avail of public transport on car free day, all bus routes have had an extra 25% of buses added to cope with the anticipated increased demand. Extra commuter trains will be added and run more frequently. The red line Luas will be operational in time and all Luas services on both lines will run at shorter intervals. All services will cost a special flat rate of 1 Euro to speed boarding at stops. School children will travel free in a bid to remove "mummy in the SUV" dropping them to school. Free parking will be provided in special suburban 'park and ride' car parks."

Isn't a pity that I had to make all that up. None of it is true, not one word. Don't expect any extra effort on behalf of those who rule our roads.
If I give up my car for the day how will I get to work? The public transport system can barely cope now. If I and many others try to use it it will collapse.

Metrobest

Instead of Car-Free day, why not have an 'Only Bike' day? So many people in the single digit postcodes live within an easy cycle of central Dublin. The problem is that the roads are such a cruel place for cyclists.

The cycle lane infrastrcuture is a sick joke. Lanes end suddenly, are totally illogical, and traffic junctions are a total nightmare. The only cyclists' traffic light I'm aware of - at St Patrick's Park beside the Liberties College - shows green when it should be red! It's appaling, not to mention a safety hazard that will kill someone.

For one day, give one lane entirely to cyclists: no buses, no cars. Wait and see the difference it will make to a cyclist's life.

Once that point has hit home, work should begin immediately on 'paved off' cycle paths across every inch of Dublin. If there is no room for cars and bikes, bikes have to get priority.

Metrobest

Instead of Car-Free day, why not have an 'Only Bike' day? So many people in the single digit postcodes live within an easy cycle of central Dublin. The problem is that the roads are such a cruel place for cyclists.

The cycle lane infrastructure is a sick joke. Lanes end suddenly, are totally illogical, and traffic junctions are a total nightmare. The only cyclists' traffic light I'm aware of - at St Patrick's Park beside the Liberties College - shows green when it should be red! It's appaling, not to mention a safety hazard that will kill someone.

For one day, give one lane per road entirely to cyclists: no buses, no cars. Wait and see the difference it will make to a cyclist's life.

Once that point has hit home, work should begin immediately on 'paved off' cycle paths across every inch of Dublin. If there is no room for cars and bikes, bikes have to get priority.

seamus

That's grand. It won't interfere with my ability to drive into work. I'm already quite happy that me and my motorcycle are doing our bit to reduce congestion.

sliabh

I live in D6 and I don't own a bike. What I am to do?

Metrobest

you SHOULD own a bike It's good for you.
The reason you don't cycle is that the roads are too dangerous, right? From Dublin 6 to Dublin 1/2 should be max. ten minutes by bike, if proper cycle lanes were in place.

The Irish weather is a poor excuse. It only rains about twice a month during the winter mornings, in my experience.

sliabh

Metrobest wrote:

you SHOULD own a bike It's good for you.
The reason you don't cycle is that the roads are too dangerous, right?

Actually it's because I walk everywhere except work, where I can get the Luas to Sandyford when I work there.

But I recently moved from Ranelagh to Miltown and I think I will be geting a bike soon enough! It used to be 35 minutes to walk to the IFSC, it will be closer to an hour now. A bike will be a much better idea.

Metrobest wrote:

The Irish weather is a poor excuse. It only rains about twice a month during the winter mornings, in my experience.

Hey, I am on record here as saying the same thing!

Anyway as a well known outdoor clothing company says, "there is no such thing as bad weather, there is only bad clothing".

chewy

Assemble Garden Of Rememberance Wed 22nd at 6pm

Calling all cyclists,skateboarders,rollerbladers,pedestrians and anything without an engine

Global Car-free day is a victorious day of actions on four continents reclaiming our streets and our lives from the automobile.
The Car Free Day festival’s intention is to raise awareness of the health and environmental benefits of sustainable living and sustainable transport, by leaving the car behind. The event is a fun day out where visitors and the local community can enjoy Dublin City Centre as a traffic-free urban space.
At the time of going to press our government seems to have shelved any plans to close O'Connell St for even a few hours..committing itself only to putting up a few posters "encouraging" motorists to leave the car at home.
This is despite a pledge signed by our own fave Minister Dempsey to participate in the global event,link-
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/carfreeday/pledge_2001.pdf

So hear ye hear ye!
All those with any form of non-motorised transport (including your legs),be at the Garden of Rememberance at 6pm for a fun jaunt around your city.
Bring colour,noise,music and energy-

Spread the word to one and all!

---

Our city … our streets … our choice …

9.30 am Bike Ride assemble City Hall, ride around city centre for about 40 minutes. Organised by Cork Environmental Forum.

11am – 1pm Bike Doctor, Emmet Place (outside Opera House) – get your bike checked out / basic repairs done for free, or just hang out with the lovely folk of the Cork Cycling Campaign, and watch the skateboarders.

6pm Critical Mass assemble Daunt Square

… plus doubtless other stuff I didn’t know about.

Please note, personally I’m involved in the Bike Doctor only. Just passing on the news re the other two events. I’ll be supporting them alright, just don’t ask me any questions about them.

---

meanwhile cullen continues to urge people to not use the car. wow i wonder if we could power the world with cullens urges?


he also said that it was up to the people to do there bit that it wasn't jsut down to councils and the eu, course if brennan didn't go around building and opening so many roads we wouldn't ahve the problem there has to be an actual decrease in the effort/money put into promote


who is going to be at this special car safty conference tomorrow mentioned in an article above, me thinks it twill be the car lobby and insurers and feck all else

cyclopath2001

>>Don't expect any extra effort on behalf of those who rule our roads.<<


Dublin City Council IS closing roads..............on the Bull Island.

Hagar

I just got to work. From Athlone to City Centre journey time this morning was 1hr 25mins longer than usual. So much for no car day. Before anybody says anything my job means I have to leave the office and travel about to clients during the day so it is necessary to use a car.
I hear Dublin bus is giving out free travel on many routes between 10:00am and 4:00pm. That's a great help to commuters.
[Sarcasm]And all the extra buses this morning, WOW I'm impressed. Well done all. [/Sarcasm]