[sustran] FW: BOUNCE sustran-discuss@jca.ax.apc.org: global taboo header: /^precedence *: *(bulk|list)/i

[Paul Barter]

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org [mailto:owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org] 
Sent: Friday, 7 March 2003 5:30 AM
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Subject: BOUNCE sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org: global taboo header: /^precedence *: *(bulk|list)/i 


From: "Car Busters" <info at carbusters.org>
To: englishbulletin-l at ecn.cz
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 20:25:24 +0100
Subject: CAR BUSTERS MONTHLY E-BULLETIN #44

...

Worried about terrorists getting hold of your money? Give 
it to us instead. <www.carbusters.org/join_us>: a 
completely ethical investment.

_________________________ 

     CAR BUSTERS BULLETIN >>> 
     ____________________________________ 

Edition no. 44 - March 2003 - English version ...............................................


Thought for the month:
"GET OUT OF THE BIKE LANE!"
(Simple, but applicable worldwide. 
<http://www.getoutofthebikelane.com>)


Contents:

WORLD NEWS
- LONDON LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST CONGESTION
- NEW "BULLET-RESISTANT" FORD
- SUDDEN BICYCLE PROVISION IN MELBOURNE
- CYCLISTS THROWN OUT OF TRAINS IN GERMANY
- THE LATEST BUSH PUSH: SUBSIDIES TO SUVs & HYDROGEN
- SUPPORT CYCLISTS' RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA
- THE DETROIT PROJECT: SAVING AMERICA FROM ITSELF
- DOGS BUST CARS IN MUNICH

ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CALL OUT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS - SchNEWS ANNUAL 2003
- SUBVERTISE.ORG NEEDS HELP
- CARNIVAL AGAINST OIL WARS AND CLIMATE CHAOS
- JOB #1: BECAK DESIGNER
- JOB #2: RISINGTIDE INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
- UPCOMING CONFERENCES

CAR BUSTERS ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TWO VACANCIES WITH CAR BUSTERS

DISCLAIMER


_______________ 

     WORLD NEWS >> 
     __________________ 


LONDON LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST CONGESTION
[submitted by Eric Britton and Jason Kirkpatrick]

London's much-debated congestion charging scheme came into 
effect February 17. To the delight of London Mayor Ken 
Livingstone, who had anticipated a "bloody day," rush hour 
road traffic in and around the charging zone resembled that 
of a Sunday morning.
   The London Transport Users Committee said it had given 
"three cheers" to the first two weeks of the scheme, 
claimed by Transport for London to have caused an estimated 
25 percent drop in traffic levels, though a British 
automobile club estimated 60 percent. Overall, the number 
of vehicles in the charging zone dropped from 250,000 on a 
typical day to 190,000 on the launch day.
   About 90,000 drivers have paid the charge daily since it 
was introduced. Approximately 10,000 drivers who failed to 
pay the GBP 5 charge have received Penalty Charging 
Notices.
   London's congestion charging scheme, which cost GBP 200 
million to set up and around GBP 80 million per year to 
operate, is expected to reduce traffic in central London by 
10 to 15 percent and to improve journey times by 25 
percent. Congestion costs London businesses an estimated 
GBP 4 million per week. The scheme is predicted to raise 
GBP 130 million per year to invest in improving London's 
public transport network.
   As the largest congestion charging scheme in the world, 
the events and experiences of London are being avidly 
followed by many other cities in the UK and beyond. 
   More information: <http://www.cclondon.com>.


NEW "BULLET-RESISTANT" FORD
[submitted by Bridget Brown from a Washington Post article]

They don't call them bullet-proof, because that would be 
"misleading." The initials in the new Ford Lincoln Town Car 
BPS stand for "Ballistic Protection Series." But this 
opportunity to survive that first hail of bullets is being 
marketed at a significantly lower price than most armoured 
cars.
   Lincoln executives denied that they're cashing in on 
post-September 11 security fears, pointing out that work 
began on the model two years ago. But this is a sector of 
the industry which has been rapidly growing long before 
September 11, 2001: the wealthy fearing for their security 
is nothing new.
   The Town Car BPS goes on sale later this year; but it 
won't go alone. GM officials confirmed yesterday that they 
will offer a competitive model, probably a Cadillac DeVille 
armoured car, also scheduled to be released later in 2003.
   No figures for fuel mileage have been given for the 3.4- tonne vehicle.
   The full article is on the following tortuous URL: 
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-
dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A40433-
2003Feb7&notFound=true>.


SUDDEN BICYCLE PROVISION IN MELBOURNE
[submitted by the urbanbicyclist project]

Starting around six months ago, inner-city councils in 
Melbourne, Australia, have started making mysterious 
amendments to all manner of parking and traffic 
restrictions. A large number of two-hour, one-hour and No 
Standing parking signs have been amended to read "Bicycles 
Excepted."
   Nearly all of the inner-city councils have been 
implementing these changes, however none were able to offer 
any comment when asked about the programme. "I'm sorry, I 
don't know what you're talking about; we haven't amended 
any signs," one council engineer responded.
   As a further bonus to bicyclists, several One Way, Speed 
Limit and No Entry Signs have been amended, as well as 
selected signs that prohibited bicyclists from riding in 
car parks, through parks and on greeways. It is hoped that 
city councils around the world will begin to follow 
Melbourne's example.


CYCLISTS THROWN OUT OF TRAINS IN GERMANY
[submitted by Matthias Bauer]

A year ago it was announced that bicycles would no longer 
be carried on the fast ICE trains in Germany. Sixteen 
environmental organisations formally protested, but the 
move went ahead and now the German Cyclists Club (ADFC) 
launched a campaign called "Jetzt sind wir am Zug" ("Now 
we're on course": 'Zug' meaning both 'course' and 'train').
   Germany is famed throughout Europe for its integrated 
system of cycle tracks and its public transport. Bicycle 
provision was cancelled to try to make the ICEs run on 
schedule, however the exclusion of bikes hasn't made the 
ICEs more punctual than other services which do carry 
bikes. Karsten Huebener, ADFC chairman, has vowed to re- conquer the trains. 
   The ADFC is mounting a donation drive to support this 
campaign. This and more info is on their website at 
<http://www.adfc.de/politik/ice/>.


THE LATEST BUSH PUSH: SUBSIDIES TO SUVs & HYDROGEN
[submitted by Bridget Brown and Andy Singer, compiled from 
various sources]

Resident Bush is throwing money around again, the lucky 
recipients this time being SUV buyers and his friends in 
the energy business.
   The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported that 
another bonus of SUVs being so darn big is that they get 
the same tax breaks as pick-up trucks when bought by 
businesses. So executives finally get the benefit of buying 
something which might or might not be commercial equipment. 
The Bush administration saw that this was Good and proposed 
increasing this effective subsidy from US$1 billion to US$3 
billion per year, allowing the whole cost, 100 percent, to 
be deducted from the company's income, which means less 
taxes paid. So small businesses: buy enough SUVs, pay NO 
TAXES! - provided you don't make more than $75,000 per 
year. And it must be a big SUV: more than 6,000 pounds (2.7 
tonnes), and that means CONSUME MORE FUEL!
   Oh yes, it's a good time to be in the energy business. 
It's all happening. Bush announced a US$1.2 billion 
programme to develop hydrogen fuel cells, the Freedom CAR 
project, last month. The project injects taxpayer cash into 
the pockets of the biggest car producers in the US, in 
exchange for the possibility of getting in 2020 the 
hydrogen car we've been told about since the early 1990s. 
There are no definite targets set, though, nor are there 
any incentives to use renewable energy in hydrogen 
production. So, they'll be needing some more oil then.


THE DETROIT PROJECT: SAVING AMERICA FROM ITSELF
[submitted by A. Clarke, A. Smith and many others]

Pundit, columnist and author of the book "The Female 
Woman," Arianna Huffington is a professional outspoken 
critic of many things in Corporate America. She proposed 
the idea of a TV ad campaign based on the anti-drug adverts 
being run in the US, but instead venturing that oil money 
could also be financing international terrorism. There was 
a huge response to her column and the two ads have now been 
completed and aired, provoking a controversial discussion 
in US media.
   One of the ads intercuts people saying how much they 
like their car with boasts about the terrorist training 
camps they've funded. The other connects the dots between a 
simple US everyman called George filling up his SUV and the 
jubilant gun-wielding terrorists receiving the money. Both 
close with the message "Detroit: America needs hybrid cars 
now."
   Have a look at the attempts to scare Americans into 
slightly greener cars at <www.thedetroitproject.com>.


SUPPORT CYCLISTS' RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA
[submitted by Jason Meggs]

Four civil cases have been brought against Berkeley police 
for incidents in 2000 and 2001 in which cycle activists 
were assaulted and property either destroyed, confiscated 
or both. Numerous activists have been left with ongoing 
medical symptoms from these attacks, many of which occurred 
without warning and appeared to be racially targetted.
   Many of these incidents were caught on video and form 
the basis of the strong legal case against the police 
department. Faced with a possibly lost case, the city 
attorney is dragging out proceedings. The Bicycle Civil 
Liberties Union <http://www.bclu.org> is calling for people 
in Berkeley, California, the US, or anyone else who feels 
that they can, to contact the city to demand that they 
settle the cases quickly and stop the interference in the 
lives of the activists involved. More information on the 
BCLU site or at 
<http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/01/1563964.php>.


DOGS BUST CARS IN MUNICH
[submitted by Zack from a Reuters report]

March 1, 2003, Germany: A pack of frenzied dogs attacked 
six parked cars in Munich, damaging them and causing panic 
among residents woken by the disturbance, the police said. 
Fenders, mud flaps and license plates were torn off. "It 
sounded like the cars were being broken into," said Günther 
Sailler, 63, a local goldsmith. "It was incredible. One of 
them leaped again and again with unbelievable force into 
the side of a car and bit into it like a lunatic."


_____________________

     ANNOUNCEMENTS >> 
     _____________________________


CALL OUT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS - SchNEWS ANNUAL 2003
[submitted by Kev Smith]

The UK's SchNEWS Annual 2003 is in production and we are 
calling out for material: photos and short(ish) reports of 
actions and events, cartoons, spoof advertisements, and 
people to help put the thing together.
   The book will look like a satire on children's comic 
annuals, dressing up news in funny ways to reach new 
audiences. We're especially interested in articles about 
people who are involved in projects which are really 
offering routes to a sustainable future on a mass scale. 
The deadline for material is March 15 (not long) - but 
contact us as soon as possible with your ideas and 
suggestions. Please keep the articles as brief as possible, 
we won't have many articles over 1,800 words. 
   Send to: SchNEWS, 55 Canning St, Brighton, BN2 0EF, 
England; tel: +44 (0)1273 685 913, e-mail: 
<schnews at brighton.co.uk>.


SUBVERTISE.ORG NEEDS HELP
[submitted by Chris Brace]

The web site subvertise.org will almost certainly be closed 
down within a matter of weeks. The site features many spoof 
and subverted adverts on themes including feminism, genetic 
modification, globalisation, transport, and a huge range of 
others. Unfortunately such an image-heavy website is making 
great demands on their provider. Now offers of help with 
web space (or money) are urgently welcomed. See 
<http://www.subvertise.org> for the full story, or e-mail 
<webmaster at subvertise.org> with anything you can offer.


CARNIVAL AGAINST OIL WARS AND CLIMATE CHAOS
[submitted by London Rising Tide]

Book the day off work and get to London, UK, to BP's Annual 
General Meeting on April 24 at the Royal Festival Hall. 
Come down and say NO to Bloody Politics (BP is pushing for 
a big slice of the Iraqi oil pie), British Plunder 
(pipelines in Colombia, Tibet, Alaska and West Papua) and 
Burning Planet.
   This will be a celebration of the many safe, sustainable 
and socially just futures that could lie ahead of us. In 
the run up to the AGM there will be a speaker tour, 
alternative AGM and the publication of an alternative BP 
annual report whose initial aim is to counter the illusion 
of the 'good' oil company. Please send us BP-related 
pictures, quotes, graphics, testimonies and other info 
before March 15, if you're able. April 24 is an 
international day of action against BP, so look out for 
actions occurring elsewhere in the world.  
   To get involved in any of the above, or for more 
information, contact <london at risingtide.org.uk> or see 
<www.burningplanet.net>.


JOB #1: BECAK DESIGNER
[submitted by Paul Steely White]

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy 
(ITDP) seeks an individual to work with the design team in 
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to develop a modernised becak (front- loading tricycle rickshaw). The initial contract is for two 
months of work during late spring/summer 2003, with the 
possibility of further terms depending on performance. 
   The position will work with an existing design team 
including two technicians, a design assistant and a 
steering group, in relatively primitive conditions, 
temperatures in the 80s (around 30 Celsius), and using 
basic tools for welding, tube bending and general assembly. 
Salary dependent on qualifications, but trip cost, basic 
accommodation and medical expenses will be covered.
   Applicants to this position should submit a resume, 
cover letter, and three references to: ITDP Becak 
Modernization Project, Attn: Paul Steely White: 
<steely at itdp.org>. Deadline March 20.


JOB #2: RISINGTIDE INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
[submitted by Heidi Bachram]

A one-year position is available with Rising Tide, an 
international network of activists taking action on climate 
change, in Oxford, UK. Responsibilities include organising 
the annual Risingtide international meeting, managing the e- groups, collecting news and producing a monthly e-mail 
bulletin (it's easy!), and a small amount of fundraising 
for future positions. These responsibilities should leave 
about half the co-ordinator's time free for other climate- change related projects.
   Applicants need to be eligible for the European 
Voluntary Service programme: under 26 and from an EU or EVS- affiliated country, and also have an understanding of the 
issues, a good working knowledge of English and be able to 
work independently. For more details contact Heidi, Jo or 
George on +(44)1865-727911 or 1865-241097; e-mail: 
<info at risingtide.org.uk>.


UPCOMING CONFERENCES 
[submitted by Matthias Bauer and Celia Jones]
* April 11-12: Workshop on the current traffic conditions 
and alternative traffic concepts for the Erzgebirge 
Mountains (southeastern Germany). Contact Heike Aghte at 
DNR - tel: +(49)30-44339187, e-mail: <heike.aghte at dnr.de>, 
web: <http://www.dnr.de>.
* May 10-11, Bolzano, Italy: International conference of 
"Transport Initiative Europe," with the main topic 
"External costs of traffic." Information: <http://www.ite 
euro.com>.
   And an honourable mention for Coventry University's 
effort for Car-Free Day 2003. Their conference, 
"Connecting: People, Culture and the Future of Road 
Transport," jointly chaired with a product designer from 
formerly-British car manufacturer MG Rover, looks to be a 
proud exposition of big road business and car culture. 
However, "papers concerning incremental developments in 
vehicle and system design as well as radical proposals are 
welcome," so we encourage any interested Car Busters to 
submit. Attending will set you back GBP 300, though. See 
<http://www.coventry.ac.uk/connecting>.


______________________________ 

     CAR BUSTERS ANNOUNCEMENTS >> 
     __________________________________ 


TWO VACANCIES WITH CAR BUSTERS

Car Busters are still looking to keep our office as full as 
it is right now. We're currently searching for one long-
term staff member and one single-year Buster. You've seen 
us do it, you know what we need: some activist experience, 
good computer skills, good English, sense of humour, some 
experience with publications, fundraising, and/or media 
work.
   The one-year position is open to European Voluntary 
Service-eligible people (under 26 and from an EU country). 
The two-year position is available to anyone. If you think 
you can stand the white-knuckle ride of international 
transport activism, please send your CVs and letter of 
motivation to us at <info at carbusters.org>. Spread the word.


___________________ 

     DISCLAIMER >> 
     __________________ 


Car Busters would like to offer our support to all the 
brave 
politicians on the front line poised to strike fear and 
death 
into the hearts of an already crippled country in Resident 
Bush's latest act of international terrorism. And to all 
those 
back home opposing the war effort STOP FORWARDING THOSE 
FAKE E-
MAIL PETITIONS! No one's collecting signatures by e-mail. 
You can find real e-petitions against war in the Gulf and 
other ways of stopping it here: 
<http://www.earthfuture.com/stopthewar/email.asp>.


____________________________________________

CAR BUSTERS
Kratka 26, 100 00 Prague 10, Czech Republic
tel: +(420) 274-810-849 - fax: +(420) 274-816-727 <info at carbusters.org> - <http://www.carbusters.org> ____________________________________________

Best wishes for 2003 from all at Car Busters!

Towards Car-Free Cities III Conference
Hosted by Car Busters  -  March 17-22, 2003 <http://www.carbusters.org/conference>