Smoggy China to Observe World Car Free Day
The Financial Times reports that China's cities will participate in this year's World Car Free Day. These actions have a measureable effect. A recent
study found that when Beijing ordered 800,000 cars off the roads for three days last year, local nitrogen oxide air pollution fell by 40 per
cent.
More than 100 Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai are to take part in the country's first official urban "car-free day", barring automobiles from selected areas and ordering officials to swap their black sedans for public transport.
The decision to join other urban centres around the world in holding "no car" events on September 22 is a reflection of growing concerns about congestion, pollution and global warming that are clouding China's passionate love affair with the automobile.
In a report on the planned car-free day, the official Xinhua news agency said Beijing - where traffic jams are already a daily occurrence - was adding 1,000 new private cars a day, and that transport accounted for 20 per cent of society's total energy consumption. The government news agency said 106 cities had signed formal pledges to take part in the car-free day and an associated week-long promotion of public transport.
"City government leaders must set an example in taking part in this activity by going to work by public transport, walking or riding bicycles," Xinhua said.
Photo: phoney/Flickr
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
DOT Aims to Build First Ave. Tunnel Bike Lane Before September’s UN General Assembly
DOT hopes to have the concrete-protect tunnel bike lane installed this summer, but its exact plans are still in development.
Waste Reforms Could Require Data on Crashes, Dangerous Driving
The proposal affects at least one trucking company with a deadly driving record.
When it Comes to Federal Infrastructure Grants, Size Does Matter
Cities and municipalities with larger budgets and staff are more likely to win competitive federal infrastructure grants, the Urban Institute has found.
Tuesday’s Headlines: Real Estate Greed Against Good Bike Lane Design Edition
A real estate developer's opposition to the Ashland Place protected bike lane yields some baffling bike lane markings. Plus more news.
City Considers Fixes for Another Ridiculously Slow Cross-Bronx Bus
Potential bus improvements are on the table for the Bronx's Tremont Avenue, but the Adams administration's failures on nearby Fordham Road loom large.
