Forum Topic

Car-free day in Brussels

My neice sent me a video of yesterday's annual car-free day in Brussels.Looks fun! Wish we could do the same. Hope this link works:https://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_une-journee-sans-voiture-mais-avec-beaucoup-de-velos?id=10588778

Caroline Whitehead ● 1702d8 Comments

Yes thats exactly what I saw, I dont think any were fined, just had a good talking to!

Matt Palmer ● 1700d

"incidentally it was interesting to see how many cars and bikes violate the traffic rules at that junction!"Yes that has always been my view - no enforcement."shifted their focus to bikes jumping the red lights and bagged a number of cyclists!"I don't think that everyone that is stopped needs to be fined but I do believe that someone stopping you and having a serious conversation is more likely to change behaviour.

Ed Robinson ● 1701d

Thanks Matt for confirming that - I thought that the video gave the same impression you described.Just to be clear my criticism is the junction is blocked from traffic coming from Putney Hill, often by buses. This means that traffic turning on to PHS from URR does not get a turn - leading to more traffic going through Charlwood Road. They still face a traffic light but they do get a turn.On the plus side - Charlwood Road School Street signs are now up :) (not sure why they end at 3:15p p.m - but I guess that's progress)

Ed Robinson ● 1701d

incidentally it was interesting to see how many cars and bikes violate the traffic rules at that junction!I think if you are coming along the URR in the direction of Richmond you can't make a right turn onto the high street? Well it was hard to believe that was the case with the number of vehicles that did it.The anti bike brigade will also be pleased to know that once the police realised they couldnt do anything about us they shifted their focus to bikes jumping the red lights and bagged a number of cyclists!

Matt Palmer ● 1701d

There's a big mistake in that article which we've asked them to correct. We weren't blocking the junction at all. The banners were only up for the duration of the red light. The police attended (on three different occasions!) and then left once satisfied that we weren't actually doing anything illegal.

Matt Palmer ● 1701d

Covid may be around for a while.A bit of local news on the URR / PHS junction. The yellow box seems to get blocked very frequently and again linked to traffic lights on PHS.Should we reduce cars use? Yes. Should the traffic lights and traffic management be better? Yes. We need to do both.https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/18739147.environmental-protestors-call-time-congestion/

Ed Robinson ● 1701d

Yes, it is car free day and I think a lot of events were planned but I suspect they are not going ahead because of Covid.Here are three cities that don't have cars or don't have them everywhere - have a look:https://twitter.com/_SmartMobility/status/1307969495999426560

Philippa Bond ● 1701d

It's 'world car free day' tomorrow Caroline.

Matt Palmer ● 1702d