[sustran] China - Streets without cars advocated

[Eric Britton]

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In this undated file photo, a clear blue sky brightens Beijing as a young
boy stands in front of a floral display on Tianqiao Street, Beijing. (Photo
Source: China Daily)
 <http://www.chinaview.cn/photos/index.htm> Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Sept. 15 -- The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural
Development's initiation of a national car-free day on Sept. 22 is of
significance to both the country's urban development and environmental
protection. 

    The theme, "humanized street", points to the trend in city renovations,
of city roads in particular, in recent years. 

    On that day from 7 in the morning until 7 in the evening, cities are
encouraged to set aside a particular section of a street or road and make it
open only to pedestrians, public buses, taxis and cyclists. If possible,
some cities may keep all their streets or roads during the 12 hours closed
to cars. 

    This activity is meant to let residents feel how nice a street can be
without the flow of speeding cars. Even those who drive cars will get to
know how long queues of motor vehicles make urban streets an unwelcome space
for urban dwellers. 

    Thirty years back when the country was nicknamed the "kingdom of
bicycles", almost all streets or roads had lanes for cyclists. They were
flanked by trees on both sides, which would protect cyclists from the
scorching sun in the summer and keep them safe from the possibility of being
knocked down by motor vehicles. Pavements too were wider and shaded by
trees. 

    The rapid increase of the number of cars, both private and public, has
prompted repeated road renovations in many cities, big cities like Beijing
in particular. Roads and streets are much wider after renovations. Many
narrower, separate lanes for cyclists are divided by just a painted line
rather than by fences. Many pavements now are narrower so as to make room
for motor vehicles. 

    Most renovated roads or streets are much more friendly to cars than to
cyclists or pedestrians. 

    The theme of "humanized street" challenges the existing concept for road
renovations. And it also points to the irony that increasingly wider roads
have proved to be no solution to traffic jams. 

    The restriction of cars on alternate days according to the last figures
of their license plates has enabled Beijing residents to enjoy the cleanest
air and clearest sky in years during the Olympic Games. This has resulted in
a heated debate on whether the restriction should be kept as a permanent
rule. 

    Obviously Beijing residents have become much more aware of how the
quality of their life has been negatively affected by the increasing number
of cars. But many are still reluctant to give up the convenience that
driving brings them. 

    Yet, if the national car-free day is regularly observed, it can drive
home how cities with less cars on the road can benefit all the residents.
That, in turn, can push authorities and city planners to provide more
convenient and comfortable public transport. And such moves can attract more
residents to use public transport means.

    (Source: China Daily)