Comments on: Let’s get rid of these things from our cities http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/ Create something every day Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:33:36 +0000 hourly 1 By: Simon Baddeley http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-18215 Simon Baddeley Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:52:53 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-18215 I came across your piece on car-ectomy late via a random search. I see you know Nick Booth. I have divorced my car and campaign for carfree cities and ride a Brompton. In 2004 I made this film about traffic hazards near my campus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReuE8ShXfiQ I'm having another go at getting the message across. Hope we stay in touch. Regards Simon I came across your piece on car-ectomy late via a random search. I see you know Nick Booth. I have divorced my car and campaign for carfree cities and ride a Brompton. In 2004 I made this film about traffic hazards near my campus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReuE8ShXfiQ
I’m having another go at getting the message across. Hope we stay in touch. Regards Simon

]]> By: OrangeJon http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-10353 OrangeJon Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:59:00 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-10353 I've been ranting about the general crap-ness of Birmingham for non car-drivers for years, although I try to limit my ranting as it tends to annoy my friends after a while. Glad to see I'm not the only one who's underwhelmed. Birmingham's got huge potential for being a superb car-free city, if only it got the public transport sorted out. The fact that a city with 2 million inhabitants hobbles along without a metro, without any trams to speak of, or even a well-functioning bus network is really shameful. Absolutely every European city I've visited has had a better public transport network, and I've visited a lot - and not just in Western Europe, either. Is it because of the British attitude that public transport is for those who can't afford to drive, or are we just completely inept? Latest rant is here, perhaps I should transfer it to my blog if anyone actually wants to read my ranting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangejon/2300531899/ I’ve been ranting about the general crap-ness of Birmingham for non car-drivers for years, although I try to limit my ranting as it tends to annoy my friends after a while. Glad to see I’m not the only one who’s underwhelmed.

Birmingham’s got huge potential for being a superb car-free city, if only it got the public transport sorted out. The fact that a city with 2 million inhabitants hobbles along without a metro, without any trams to speak of, or even a well-functioning bus network is really shameful.

Absolutely every European city I’ve visited has had a better public transport network, and I’ve visited a lot - and not just in Western Europe, either. Is it because of the British attitude that public transport is for those who can’t afford to drive, or are we just completely inept?

Latest rant is here, perhaps I should transfer it to my blog if anyone actually wants to read my ranting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangejon/2300531899/

]]> By: Stuart http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5358 Stuart Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:15:57 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5358 What amuses me about 4x4s is their names. A neighbour of mine drives a Mitsubishi Warrior which he obviously believes bestows some sort of superiority upon him. In reality he should be driving a Mitsubishi FatW*nker. The tinted windows are intended to give the impression of a VIP inside when it's just a family of obese simpletons. We got a flyer through the letter box today advertising whizzgo cars which is a step in the right direction. Locations include the Custard Factory and Kings Heath. See http://www.whizzgo.co.uk/carlocations/Birmingham.htm for details. I might sign up for this myself if my next MOT goes badly. What amuses me about 4×4s is their names. A neighbour of mine drives a Mitsubishi Warrior which he obviously believes bestows some sort of superiority upon him. In reality he should be driving a Mitsubishi FatW*nker. The tinted windows are intended to give the impression of a VIP inside when it’s just a family of obese simpletons.

We got a flyer through the letter box today advertising whizzgo cars which is a step in the right direction. Locations include the Custard Factory and Kings Heath. See http://www.whizzgo.co.uk/carlocations/Birmingham.htm for details. I might sign up for this myself if my next MOT goes badly.

]]> By: Ben http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5322 Ben Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:06:30 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5322 Hail! Nuff said. Hail! Nuff said.

]]> By: Jim http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5255 Jim Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:18:33 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5255 I think the chances of making Birmingham car free are non-existent, at least until oil runs out when we will have much bigger problems. I reckon that lots of drivers would prefer to lose both legs than their cars (at least they could still drive everywhere). Charlotte - I think Venice already has the claim on worlds first car-free city! Check out Copenhagen where up to half a million people cycle regularly http://cycleliciousness.blogspot.com/ . Tobe - have you tried cycling into town? either along the canal to the mailbox or Cycle Route 5 through Cannon Hill park to Hurst Street area should make your arrival at work a much happier one. I think the chances of making Birmingham car free are non-existent, at least until oil runs out when we will have much bigger problems. I reckon that lots of drivers would prefer to lose both legs than their cars (at least they could still drive everywhere). Charlotte - I think Venice already has the claim on worlds first car-free city! Check out Copenhagen where up to half a million people cycle regularly http://cycleliciousness.blogspot.com/ .
Tobe - have you tried cycling into town? either along the canal to the mailbox or Cycle Route 5 through Cannon Hill park to Hurst Street area should make your arrival at work a much happier one.

]]> By: Tobe http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5253 Tobe Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:37:50 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5253 I saw a report on the local news about the council's trialling of carpool lanes. Hopefully they will be launched across the city - I get the bus from the Pershore Road into work, quite a heavily congested route, and the number of cars I see with only one person in them is utterly depressing. A good idea to boost usage of carpool lanes would be a council-sponsored and widely advertised website where drivers can list their routes and availability. I saw a report on the local news about the council’s trialling of carpool lanes. Hopefully they will be launched across the city - I get the bus from the Pershore Road into work, quite a heavily congested route, and the number of cars I see with only one person in them is utterly depressing. A good idea to boost usage of carpool lanes would be a council-sponsored and widely advertised website where drivers can list their routes and availability.

]]> By: Charlotte Carey http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5223 Charlotte Carey Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:28:13 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5223 I agree with Kerrie Re: turnaround- and thinking about it this is the most obvious big city plan for Bham. To be the first car free city in the world (are there any already?) would be fantastic PR, we could lead in this stuff, and all the innovation, science parks, new business ventures and opportunities that are likely to emerge from dealing with climate change might want to locate here. Not to mention it being fantastic on so many other levels - could deal with obesity while we're at it by giving everyone a bike! okay I'm getting a head of myself - just thinking through the business case for 'Birmingham the worlds first car-free city' - quick register the domain! I agree with Kerrie Re: turnaround- and thinking about it this is the most obvious big city plan for Bham. To be the first car free city in the world (are there any already?) would be fantastic PR, we could lead in this stuff, and all the innovation, science parks, new business ventures and opportunities that are likely to emerge from dealing with climate change might want to locate here. Not to mention it being fantastic on so many other levels - could deal with obesity while we’re at it by giving everyone a bike!

okay I’m getting a head of myself - just thinking through the business case for ‘Birmingham the worlds first car-free city’ - quick register the domain!

]]> By: Keri Davies http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5200 Keri Davies Thu, 22 Nov 2007 07:23:22 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5200 >Philthers Says: I loathe driving and would love to use public transport for my daily commute instead of driving, but I found that journey times (bus and train combined) could vary from 45 mins (as fast as it takes me in the car) to over 2 hours at the same time of the day. Have you considered bike and train? That can be a strong combination for journeys that are too far for bike alone. On the general point: What a turnaround it would be to change Birmingham from the car city of the 20th century to the non-car city of the 21st. Bring it on! >Philthers Says: I loathe driving and would love to use public transport for my daily commute instead of driving, but I found that journey times (bus and train combined) could vary from 45 mins (as fast as it takes me in the car) to over 2 hours at the same time of the day.

Have you considered bike and train? That can be a strong combination for journeys that are too far for bike alone.

On the general point: What a turnaround it would be to change Birmingham from the car city of the 20th century to the non-car city of the 21st. Bring it on!

]]> By: garrett http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5168 garrett Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:33:04 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5168 This would be a great idea, but if Birmingham's public transport is anything like Bristols, they'll need to significantly improve it before going ahead with this. Whenever I catch a bus I have to sit in the isle seat because I can't actually get my legs in behind the seat in front, and I'm not even that tall! This would be a great idea, but if Birmingham’s public transport is anything like Bristols, they’ll need to significantly improve it before going ahead with this.

Whenever I catch a bus I have to sit in the isle seat because I can’t actually get my legs in behind the seat in front, and I’m not even that tall!

]]> By: Mike http://steflewandowski.com/2007/11/lets-get-rid-of-these-things-from-our-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-5166 Mike Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:09:23 +0000 http://www.steflewandowski.com/?p=254#comment-5166 SUV - Socially Unacceptable Vehicle Birmingham needs Indians! - http://www.carectomy.com/index.php/Action/Indians-of-the-Concrete-Jungle SUV - Socially Unacceptable Vehicle

Birmingham needs Indians! -

http://www.carectomy.com/index.php/Action/Indians-of-the-Concrete-Jungle

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