February 17 declared “car free day” in Dubai

[Fer]

(And there was me hoping Dubai was safe from this...)

Dubai Municipality has declared Feb 17 as “car free day”. Employees and officials of the civic body will switch to public transport next Wednesday to spread awareness about air pollution.

The Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

Transport sector contributes to 42per cent of carbon emission in the emirate, of which more than 82per cent comes from car petrol, according to 2009 statistics released by Municipality’s Environment Department.

Lootah said the aim of the initiative was to encourage everyone to minimise the use of cars and reduce the volume of carbon emission.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?x...

I wonder if that will make SZR usable for a change?

[Hitch78]

I am guessing that my carpark at the RTA will be as full of big V8s as ever next Wednesday. How can they have a car free day when we've not finished building the transport network yet?!

[Mattt]

Nice token effort there - I assume ADNOC et al won't also be shutting down for the day.

[mcbook]

Hitch78 said:

I am guessing that my carpark at the RTA will be as full of big V8s as ever next Wednesday. How can they have a car free day when we've not finished building the transport network yet?!

Hit the nail on the head. I'd love to use public transport but two buses, the metro and a twenty minute walk just isn't sensible.

[Chilli]

Good for them!
So that means the roads will be clearer, but on the downside their services will be reduced given that half of the staff will be late in, and will need to leave early.
Given that most of their services are shocking anyway, I guess it's a steer clear of Municipality offices for the day.

[yorky500]

^^^^^^^^^^ they may as well stay at home then! hahahaha

[oilydan]

"car-free day" Bwaaa ha ha ha

I would imagine roads to be a little quieter, but not up towards the free zone. Most Gov't employees will probably take the day off.

Still, some might take the Metro. Would be a good day for a little light disruption :evil laugh:

[Asterix]

There is probably more polution in one of the old trucks than 20 cars.

[zs]

i've only been here 2 days and it's already bloody obvious there's no chance anything would change! cayennes, contis, all the big engine versions of just about every car make (+ escalades, fords, GMCs . . . BMWs, Lexusss...etc) there is....eveywhere! I feel bit daft cycling down the pavement - everybody drives (outside the old city centre)! This'll surely just be some msg the government here's giving out to make the rest of the world think Dubai gives a fk! Fuel's way cheaper than water!