[sustran] Born to be wild! (Just not in our cities, thanks!) was: motorcycles, Athens..

Todd Edelman edelman at greenidea.info
Fri May 19 23:07:41 JST 2006


KT wrote:
>
> You may be thinking that reducing motorcycle traffic in many parts of
> the EU will not make a big difference, but you must realize that in
> those cities where motorcycles are a significant part of the traffic
> it will make a huge difference. I am not sure if you also imply that
> people living there are worth less attention, but in any case don't
> expect your arguments to sound them very persuasive.

KT, I dont think that is what I said. I agree that in cities like Athens
and perhaps some other southern EU cities reducing the number/danger of
motorcycles will make a difference because they represent a significant
part of the transport mix.

---
>
> I don't find logical the position, either to ban all forms of
> motorized traffic immediately, or leave them all. Some of them may be
> easier to be banned. Why not start from them? Even if this is
> considered by some as a small victory, it is still a victory. When
> environmental and living conditions start to improve, this will
> certainly create an incentive to follow further the carfree path,
> which will improve also the totality of the cities of Europe and tha
> whole world.

I am pretty sure I didnt say to leave them all. My point was that things
like reasonable and enforced speed limits will affect ALL vehicles on the
streets, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. This will
reduce the damage caused by all of them, as we start to equip, re-equip,
re-design and design cities for full functionality without individual
motorised vehicles.

Also, if only motorcycles are targeted it lets the cars off easy: This
solves little in many places and gives the motorcyclists a political
advantage, in comparison to all individual motorcized forms being
targeted. This has I suppose some similarities to the kind of funny
argument by many drivers of "normal-sized" cars to get SUVs out of the
cities. I am for getting SUVs and motorcycles out, but the reality is that
"normal" cars do more damage.

A city in Belgium gave free transport passes to people/families who gave
up their cars, and I strongly suggest something similar is done in Athens
regarding motorcycles. (Maybe there can be former-motorcyclist only
sections of PT with black leather seats, and simulated motorcycle sounds
and vibrations ;-))

---
>
> Certainly it will be nice if European Commission makes something on
> this point, although they are frequently accused for involving
> unnecessarily in local matters. But of course, not only motorcycles
> can cross the borders, but also pollution, mentalities and prospective
> road victims.

YES, transport is in no way a local matter, as I am sure you agree. Some
things are more important than others but my understanding is that the
entire territory of the EU needs to be reasonably safe and homogeneous in
regards to conditions. So Athens and perhaps other places need serious
action on motorcycles, and many cities need serious action on speed limits
and also emissions from Diesel vehicles.

I hope you also appreciate that I forwarded your points about motorcycles
in Athens to the one of the Greek MEPs on the Transport and Tourism
committee.

- T


------------------------------------------------------

Todd Edelman
International Coordinator
On the Train Towards the Future!

Green Idea Factory
Laubova 5
CZ-13000 Praha 3

++420 605 915 970

edelman at greenidea.info
http://www.worldcarfree.net/onthetrain

Green Idea Factory,
a member of World Carfree Network



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