Earlier this year the United Nations Division for Sustainable Development issued an invitation and strong support for Fremantle to become the second world city to host the United Nations Car Free Day series. The first being held in Bogota, Colombia, in February 2002. Shed Your Car Day encourages people to use alternative ways to get around their city to promote the environmental, health and social benefits of reduced car use.
To qualify as a genuine car free day, a section of the Fremantle city area will be closed to private cars for the day.
“By conducting the first car free days in Australia, the City of Fremantle will serve as a model for other Australian and overseas towns and cities,” said John Pinkard, TravelSmart Officer for the City of Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle. “It raises awareness, demonstrates how reduced car use can make a positive difference and provides opportunities and incentives for residents and visitors to experience using travel alternatives to the car,” he said.
“Residents feel that traffic issues are some of the main problems in their local areas and now expect that government policy and planning will support increased use of travel alternatives to the car. Shed Your Car Day is a citizen driven, stakeholder inclusive event that empowers local residents to do something positive in response to their concerns about traffic problems.”
This year the United Nations (UN) became involved in promoting car free days (CFD) through a UN Car Free Day series. The series is being run in an effort to spark enthusiasm and local awareness for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 26 August to 4 September 2002.
The Fremantle Car Free Day Demonstration will be held on 9 May, with a Regional Practicum discussing sustainable transport issues on 8 and 10 May 2002.
For further information contact John Pinkard on (08) 9432 9939.
