Better strategy would rev up Car Free Day
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
As Car Free Day is being organized in the car-ridden capital, several groups say, with a more strategic approach, events on Sept. 26 could bring about residents' year-long commitment to reducing pollution.
"Car Free Day is actually a great way of raising the public's awareness of environmental problems," said Taufik, organizer of the Bike to Work events.
"But to be frank, the event needs to be held more than once a year," he said on Tuesday.
In observance of the UN-endorsed World Car Free Day, environmental organizations grouped in the Clean Emission Partnership -- which is supported by the Jakarta administration -- will restrict all private motorized vehicles from traveling on Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m next Sunday.
Poor publicity caused the city's first Car Free Day in 2002 to be a flop, although the event was much improved last year.
Taufik suggested that the Car Free Day be held more frequently -- much like monthly Bike to Work events -- to increase awareness of pollution and encourage people to be environmentally friendly on a day-to-day basis.
Almely, from non-governmental organization Pelangi -- one of the event organizers -- said the public did not react well to dramatic changes and any shift toward environmentalism, as promised by deputy governor Fauzi Bowo, should be gradual.
Almely said a lane would be set aside for bicycles on Sept. 26, which she hoped would become permanent in the future.
Ahmad Safrudin from the Joint Committee for Phasing Out Leaded Gasoline (KPBB) said both the administration and motorists did not fully realize the damage that was being done, and how important it was to minimize pollution.
"Even without Car Free Day, people should start walking or riding their bikes -- particularly for short distances -- or use public transportation," he said. "If they find facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and public transportation inadequate, they should pressure the administration to improve them."
Jakarta could again learn from the Colombian capital of Bogota, which it looked to for the design of its busway system.
Bogota's first Car Free Day was held on a working day on Feb. 24, in which the entire urban area was exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. Public pressure ensured that over 800,000 cars were left at home.
After the event, the Bogota administration got down to work and extended the event into an official policy, which is applied even on weekdays. Environmentally friendly modes of transport were encouraged and 300 kilometers of lane space set aside for cyclists.