Car Free Day campaign revs up

Car Free Day campaign revs up

A plaque signed by New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani on Sept.
13, 1999, to commemorate the centennial of Henry H. Bliss' death
was meant to "promote safety on streets and highways", as well as
to remember Bliss as "the first recorded motor vehicle fatality".

The date of Bliss' death initiated the UN-endorsed Car Free
Day movement around the globe.

In Jakarta, where motorized vehicles dominate the streets,
leaving little room for pedestrians and cyclists, the Clean
Emission Partnership staged a Car Free Day campaign on Wednesday.

The campaign was also held to commemorate World Ozone Day,
which fell on Sept. 16.

State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim, Jakarta
Environmental Management Agency head Kosasih Wirahadikusumah and
members of the public rode their bicycles along Jl. Sudirman,
from in front of the Hotel Sahid Jaya to the Hotel Indonesia
traffic circle to mark the occasion.

"This Car Free Day is a moment when the public and the
government can review the development of the transportation
system toward 'environmentally sustainable transportation'. We
hope this opportunity will become an informal gathering to
discuss the city's future. Hopefully, other cities will follow
suit," Nabiel said.

Jakarta had only 25.55 days of "good" air quality last year.
Vehicle emissions account for up to 70 percent of air pollution
in the city, while the remaining 30 percent comes from industrial
emissions.

Long-term exposure to air pollution -- especially carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide and particulate -- can
adversely affect a person's respiratory and nervous systems.

Car Free Day organizer Bambang Parlupi said the peak of the
commemoration would be on Sunday, when all motorized vehicles
would be restricted along Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin from 6
a.m. to 3 p.m. Several events, including competitions for
children and families, will highlight the event. -- JP