CARFREE TOKYO

- a collection of notes and reflections on urban living from the perspective of a family of five in Tokyo. My epiphany was many years ago, but being hit by a motorbike and seeing my life flash before my eyes caused a sudden change that slowly made me reflect on whether American style auto-centric urban transportation of the Roosevelt era really is a capital G "Good Idea" for civilized modern cities in the 21st Century. This blog explores the good and the bad in urban planning and design, here and elsewhere. The goal is simple - not "death to all cars," just more walkable communities, quiet tree-lined streets, good public transport, traffic calming, Velib style bicycle sharing and a bit of common sense. The bolg is mostly theraputic, so I don't go wanting to throttle every dangerous driver I come across, but partly also out of a real desire to see positive change. This blog explores how it can be done, the people who do it, and how, in many small ways, this very old idea may at last have found its zeitgeist. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Interview with Enrique Penalosa

Was alerted today by someone in Sydney to a fascinating interview with Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota Colombia.

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/interview-with-enrique-penalosa-long/

I really wonder if Tokyo leaders are aware of these fundamental change to transport thinking that are transforming New York, London, Paris and elsewhere. In one place he describes how they removed large numbers of car parking spaces and put in cycle lanes. At the time, some people protested against this, but in the end the bike lanes increased propery values, made the area safer and increased local trade. How is that for a win-win. I really hope auto makers have a Plan B - like making solar panels instead perhaps.

Another excellent video on the same site here about separated bike lanes, with interviews, images and footage of bike lanes from around the world. Transportation Alternatives really is an incredible organization.

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/physically-separated-bike-lanes/
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