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News & Press Releases Latest Councilmember Tommy Wells Joins Mayor Fenty in Announcing DC Car Free Day
News & Press Releases Latest Councilmember Tommy Wells Joins Mayor Fenty in Announcing DC Car Free Day | Councilmember Tommy Wells Joins Mayor Fenty in Announcing DC Car Free Day |
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| Written by Charles Allen | |
| Monday, 10 September 2007 | |
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Councilmember Tommy Wells today joined Mayor Adrian Fenty and Council colleagues to announce the District’s first ever DC Car Free Day to take place on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. “I’m very excited that the Mayor, my colleagues on Council, WMATA, and several environmental and transportation advocacy groups have all embraced this idea and are partnering for a successful First Annual DC Car Free Day,” stated Mr. Wells at today’s press event. “But to make it a true success, we need everyone to step up and take the Car Free Challenge on the 18th,” he added. Residents and commuters can take the DC Car Free Challenge at www.carfreedc.info or www.TommyWells.org. In July 2007, Councilmember Wells authored a resolution and was joined in introduction by Chairman Vincent Gray and Councilmember Mary Cheh. Council unanimously designated September 18th as DC Car Free Day. This will be the city’s first Car Free Day. Some other US cities that have held car free days include: Madison, WI; Oakland, CA; Carrboro, NC; Fremont, WA; and Portland, OR. Over 1500 cities around the world hold car free events to commemorate sustainable transportation and raise public awareness about healthy transportation choices. The goal of creating DC Car Free Day is to create an annual event where residents and commuters can all step away from the isolation of our cars and rediscover the beauty of the city by walking, biking, skating, or taking public transportation or any other mode of travel that gets us out of our cars and reengages with our neighbors and community. “We chose to live in DC because of the amazing opportunities this city provides and I am working hard to ensure that we have the greatest number of choices when it comes to how we move around our neighborhoods,” commented Mr. Wells. “My challenge to you is to take the very easy step of pledging to be car free on September 18th.” According to a 2006 SustainLane survey, the District leads the nation in diverse transportation use with the highest walk to work rating in the nation, the second highest use of public transit, and above average bike to work rating. Through assertive policies to further develop more “walkable” communities with multiple transportation modes and environmentally sustainable development practices, DC will continue to demonstrate how a balanced transportation system and vibrant neighborhoods enhance quality of life while respecting the environment. A few examples of innovative DC programs include Great Streets, Next Bus and Express Bus, Main Street, and bike lane and bike parking expansion, and the safe routes to school program. |
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