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Posted on 07/30/2008 3:08:36 PM PDT by sionnsar
SEATTLE – As part of Seattle's campaign to combat global warming, Mayor Greg Nickels plans car-free days throughout the city.
He has enlisted the help of a group of eco-friendly moms to make his latest environmental push forward.
Exact details about car-free days and locations will be revealed at the mayor's press conference Wednesday morning, but one of Seattle's favorite beach communities is expected to top the list.
On some days you can't find a parking space at Alki Beach, but on one upcoming day people may have Alki all to themselves.
"On Sunday, September 7, from 12 to 6 p.m., they're going to shut down all the streets," said Abby Suplizio, Coolmom.org. "Shutting down the street will show people that there are other ways to enjoy your community. You don't need to use a car to get there."
The women with the group Coolmom.org support the mayor's expected ban on cars from a section of Alki for one afternoon. Bicyclists will be allowed.
"It starts to make them realize that there are other modes of transit, whether it be ferry or bus or even train getting to Seattle," said Laura Elfline, Coolmom.org.
The mayor will disclose the exact locations and dates for three car-free days around Seattle in August and September.
In Alki, one lane will remain open for local residents.
A spokesman with Seattle's Department of Transportation says it's considering adding extra buses, but cannot make guarantees due to expense and capacity issues.
But will a car-free day have lasting impact in the fight against global warming?
"I suppose it might bring it out in peoples' consciousness, but as to any practical effect, I'm highly skeptical," said Evelyn Sroufe, Alki resident.
Sheep.
I know what makes as much sense...let’s have electricity free days. Or, how about shoe free days? Maybe oxygen free days? How about days on which everyone wears green?
That’ll “save the Earth!”
Greg Nickels is a fat idiot. The only people this will benefit are the residents of Alki Beach! How is someone who lives downtown or on the east side supposed to get to Alki without a car? Public transit for an hour or so? Walk like some third world refugee? God, I am embarrassed for Seattle with its idiot mayor.
Wussies.
I'd like to see them close down all the streets on some Monday morning. From 6 AM to 10 AM. To where there was no one allowed to drive to work.
I'd like to see how far they get with THAT idea.
I haven’t been to Seattle in about 30 years. Do they still have those electric trolley buses?
Yes. They are also free in the downtown area until 7PM.
I think people depend a bit too much on their cars. I know a woman who drives 4 blocks to attend her weight watchers meetings, lol!
Shutting down the streets is a bit drastic though.
Car free days and statues of Lenin - Seattle’s got it all!
They did this in Italy in the 1970s during the OPEC crisis. Nobody could drive on Sundays. I’m not sure if it accomplished anything, because I was a kid at the time and didn’t have access to the Italian news.
When I lived in Belltown, I only took out the car the buy groceries or go up to Vancouver. Nevertheless, if you are in the outer neighborhoods (Lake City, Northgate, etc.) I don’t see how you can support this.
Yes. In the period 1979-81, the trolleybus network was expanded to (almost) its 1940 high point. In 1997, a new line was wired to the University District, and there are various other wiring projects on the boards if Metro gets enough money. While diesel bus transmissions can be destroyed by Seattle’s hills, the trolleybuses are as nimble as mountain goats.
In Florida, all box stores are set up so that you have to drive out of the parking lot a few feet to get to the parking lot of the store adjacent. You can’t walk between parking lots due to fences.
Hah! These tools will keep coming up with more and more bizarre, useless crap-for-the-peons to chew on. What’s next? Be-a-Tree Day? Live Like Veal Week? No-flush Month?
Oh good. I hope they make sure to make the streets fire truck, ambulance and police car free too. /sarc
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