Car Free Day

'In Town Without My Car Day' - Cyclist Launch "Sign Post to mark Car Madness"
Press release, 21 September 2006
From: Dublin Cycling Campaign
Event Date: Friday 22 September at 1 pm
Event Location: The Spire on O'Connell street
For Immediate Use (Excellent Photo Op.) - 2.5m High by 2.5 Long mock Road Sign Post
The Dublin Cycling Campaign (DCC) has announced it intends to mark Car-Free Day (part of European Mobility Week) by unveiling a Sign Post showing how much quicker it is to make journeys by bicycle than by car in the city centre.

Dr. Mike McKillen, chairman of the DCC, explains "commuting car culture has brought such gridlock to the city centre that it is now much quicker to travel in the city centre by bicycle rather than by car. The benefits of the bicycle become even more apparent at peak times, when car speeds regularly drop to that of a pedestrian while cycling time remains largely unaffected."

Some examples of the times savings that choosing to travel by bicycle rather than car include:

Spike to Stephen's Green -5 mins bike; 21 mins car
Spike to the Point -7 mins bike; 22 mins car
Spike to Heuston Station -6 mins bike; 22 mins car
[Note: these times measured at peak congestion periods and with cyclist stopping at red lights! ]

Yet everyday thousands of cars and goods vehicles trundle into the city centre. Dr. McKillen continues "People just don't seem to have gotten the message "Cities and cars don't mix". Our current 'CARS-R-US' approach to transport planning, can only lead to gridlock, pollution and high levels of road deaths".

Dr. McKillen concluded by stating "Our planners and decision makers need to stop thinking CAR and start thinking PEOPLE COST and ENVIRONMENT."

ENDS

Dr. Mike Mckillen 087-2314 613 is Chairman of the Dublin Cycling Campaign
The Dublin Cycling Campaign is a voluntary organisation that has represented Dublin's commuting cyclists for over 15 years.