European Car Free Day 2001
| When? | Saturday 22nd September 2001 |
| Where? | Exchange Street, Manchester City Centre |
| Why? | To raise awareness of environmental and social damage caused by over reliance on the private car; to promote walking, cycling and public transport; to slow how much more fun a street can be without any cars; to convince Greater Manchester Councils to organise their own ECFD celebrations next year. |
| How? | Taking over an area of the City Centre and having a car-free festival. |
The Story
22nd September was European Car Free Day and so, armed with determination, a giant car, a handful of bus tickets and masses of free fruit, Manchester FoE headed for Exchange street to promote the benefits of a car free lifestyle. With the blessing of the council we unveiled a day of entertainment, food and politics, all designed to convince Manchester shoppers to think about the way they travel.
We all know that the rising tide of traffic is ecologically and socially unsustainable, but we all need reminding that there are sensible and practical alternatives. The festival showed how much more fun and sociable a street can be without cars.
The day was opened by Manchester City Council Councillor Martin Pagal and Val Stevens of GMPTA (pictured below).
Shoppers were lured over by Sambangra the excellent Manchester samba band and were pleasantly bemused by the free organic fruit we were giving away, courtesy of Limited Resources.
While kids enjoyed the giant ark (a lively symbol of the threat of climate change) and 7 foot inflatable globe, parents discussed with campaigners the practicalities of car-free life. Those convinced by our argument that we all need to find ways to reduce our car use pledged to give up their cars for a day in return for a free day travel pass for the whole county (fruit, then bus tickets - is there no end to our generosity?!).
We hope to have reports back from some of these intrepid individuals in the near future - and to see them on their way, Manchester vegetarian caterers On the 8th Day provided a hearty meal of sandwiches and flapjacks.
After a month, we contacted those people who had pledged to give up their car for a day. See our May 2002 Campaigns Newsletter for their reaction.
Resources
Internet Links
- European Car Free Day
- Manchester City Council
- GMPTE
- Limited Resources
- MERCi / Bridge 5 Mill
- Eighth Day