Better strategy would rev up Car Free Day<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As Car Free Day is being organized in the car-ridden capital,
\nseveral groups say, with a more strategic approach, events on
\nSept. 26 could bring about residents' year-long commitment to
\nreducing pollution.<\/p>\n
\"Car Free Day is actually a great way of raising the public's
\nawareness of environmental problems,\" said Taufik, organizer of
\nthe Bike to Work events.<\/p>\n
\"But to be frank, the event needs to be held more than once a
\nyear,\" he said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
In observance of the UN-endorsed World Car Free Day,
\nenvironmental organizations grouped in the Clean Emission
\nPartnership -- which is supported by the Jakarta administration
\n-- will restrict all private motorized vehicles from traveling on
\nJl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m next Sunday.<\/p>\n
Poor publicity caused the city's first Car Free Day in 2002 to
\nbe a flop, although the event was much improved last year.<\/p>\n
Taufik suggested that the Car Free Day be held more frequently
\n-- much like monthly Bike to Work events -- to increase awareness
\nof pollution and encourage people to be environmentally friendly
\non a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n
Almely, from non-governmental organization Pelangi -- one of
\nthe event organizers -- said the public did not react well to
\ndramatic changes and any shift toward environmentalism, as
\npromised by deputy governor Fauzi Bowo, should be gradual.<\/p>\n
Almely said a lane would be set aside for bicycles on Sept.
\n26, which she hoped would become permanent in the future.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Safrudin from the Joint Committee for Phasing Out Leaded
\nGasoline (KPBB) said both the administration and motorists did
\nnot fully realize the damage that was being done, and how
\nimportant it was to minimize pollution.<\/p>\n
\"Even without Car Free Day, people should start walking or
\nriding their bikes -- particularly for short distances -- or use
\npublic transportation,\" he said. \"If they find facilities for
\npedestrians and cyclists, and public transportation inadequate,
\nthey should pressure the administration to improve them.\"<\/p>\n
Jakarta could again learn from the Colombian capital of
\nBogota, which it looked to for the design of its busway system.<\/p>\n
Bogota's first Car Free Day was held on a working day on Feb.
\n24, in which the entire urban area was exclusively for
\npedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. Public pressure
\nensured that over 800,000 cars were left at home.<\/p>\n
After the event, the Bogota administration got down to work
\nand extended the event into an official policy, which is applied
\neven on weekdays. Environmentally friendly modes of transport
\nwere encouraged and 300 kilometers of lane space set aside for
\ncyclists.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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