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Cars Off the Sidewalk

LONDON, ENGLAND: A group of mainly elderly pedestrians who bounce cars off sidewalks in protest at the "car culture" won the surprise backing of a government minister recently.

A transport minister said that several anti-car groups were living in fantasy land. But he said that the Pedestrian Association, which joined several new groups in taking Action against cars. traffic levels and their exhaust fumes were "within their rights" to push can off sidewalks.

The minister said the anti-car groups "appear to want to turn central London into a park-like, pastoral, calm."

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White House Ped Mall

WASHINGTON DC: The street in front of the nation's most famous address has been closed to automobile traffic. The two blocks on either side of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue were turned into a car-free zone in May for Presidential security. The street quickly turned into a haven for the city's cyclists, pedestrians, rollerbladers, and for tourists from all over the world.

Ironically, the Washington offices of the American Automobile Association, across the street from the White House, overlook the new pedestrian mall.

Discouraging Driving

PORTLAND, OR: The Oregon Department of Transportation recently moved its Portland area offices into central Portland, and in doing so, made no provision for cars. The new office, which replaces four offices spread throughout the region, offers no car parking for employees, but is next to a light rail line, and offers secure bike parking, clothing lockers, and reduced cost transit passes.

The results- 69% of employees use transit, while 5 to 10% ride bikes. Employees drove 36,000 fewer miles in January and February. The results were so encouraging that former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts ordered all state agencies to consolidate offices and locate them where employees have transportation choices.

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Kids Die in Cars

WASHINGTON, DC: The number of young children killed or injured in traffic accidents rose sharply in 1994 for the second straight year, according to preliminary figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About 700 children from birth to age 4 died in traffic accidents in 1994, and 75,000 were injured. That's up from 616 killed and 60,000 injured in 1993.

How to Make the Streets Safe

RAS-AL-KHAIMAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: The emirate recently found a way to cut road deaths. It began punishing reckless drivers with 50 lashes in a public square. In the first six weeks, road deaths dropped to zero, compared to six the previous six weeks.