ETRA eesv, Guinardstraat 32, Gent, Belgium
COLIBI/COLIPED SG G. Engelen, ETRA SG A. Roetynck & ECF SG B. Ensink
On 4 June, the European Commission organised a stakeholders’ meeting in conclusion of the preparatory consultations for the Green Paper on Urban Transport. SG Annick Roetynck represented ETRA at that meeting
At this occasion, Transport Commissioner Barrot outlined the 10 major issues that will form the skeleton of the future Green Paper:
1) the financing of both infrastructure and rolling stock
2) a comprehensive approach that will include passenger traffic and freight
3) green propulsion and intelligent transport systems
4) a European Charter on the rights and obligations of public transport passengers
5) consideration for demographic developments, in particular the proportional increase of the ageing population
6) solving the problem of the enormous lack of statistics, for instance by means of a European Observatory
for Urban Transport
for Urban Transport
7) developing a frame for the exchange of best practice
8) reflecting on the continuation of EU programmes that prove to be sound, for instance Civitas
9) assisting in the development of intelligent transport management systems
10) improving the safety of public transport passengers
Commissioner Barrot was asked explicitly what the Green Paper would have in store for walking and cycling. His reply was rather disappointing. In his view, the promotion of walking and cycling mainly comes down to launching a European-wide awareness-raising campaign. To which he added that, whenever he rides his bicycle in Paris, he has serious questions as to the safety of that form of mobility.
The ETRA Secretary General reacted to that statement by explaining that a decrease of car usage automatically results in an increase of cycling, which in turn goes hand in hand with a significant improvement of road safety. That is now clearly proven in London. Since congestion charges were introduced in the UK capital in 2003, there has been a 21% overall reduction in traffic entering the inner zone. Cycle journeys have increased by 20% and road crashes have declined by 7%.
Mr Barrot concluded this discussion with an appeal to the bicycle industry to develop lighter cycling helmets. His call was inspired by the discomfort his own helmet causes him.
The Green Paper should be published in September 2007 upon which the Commission will launch a new round of consultations.
Discussion
This is totaly european. The distances in Europe are to wide, to think bycicle. Whenever, the European Commission, has a task tot fulfill. They have to think abaut CO2 levels in Europe, and the bicycle and electric bicycle like the Ion are perfect to drop the CO2, even for lager distances to cover. Mister Barrot is seemly a lonely player, because he only can think of his own safety in Paris and his own helmett is to heavy (maybe sold in a Decatlon store for a low price). His arguments are nuts. This are no European thoughts. Matthy(By Matthy Briers, June 7, 2007 14:57 | React to Matthy Briers)
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