266 European towns and cities are due to mark ‘European Mobility Week’ by going ‘car-free’. It takes place from September 16th to 22nd. Local authorities across Europe are invited to promote sustainable transport. The week concludes with In Town, Without My Car! day (formerly known as Car Free day) which takes place on 22 September each year.
320 towns, cities and local authorities across Europe are taking part in the week. Hungary has the biggest take-up with 171 participants and Spain next with 71. Amongst the cities taking part are Bilbao, Toulouse, Madrid and Stockholm.
Details of the participants can be found here:
http://www.mobilityweek.eu/cities/
What’s noticeable is that no Irish towns and cities have committed to having a Car Free day. This is despite a statement on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that says: “Ireland has been a consistent supporter and participant in this initiative since the year 2000.”
The support and participation doesn’t extend to participating in the car-free day though. Ireland’s neighbours in the UK do not fare too much better with just one city – Aberdeen, and one local authority – Lambeth, taking part.
Well there’s a surprise.
Ireland has pretty much no dependable public transport system. Regional towns have NO public transport at all. Car free would mean stay at home day for many people.