Tuesday 23rd October 2007

Cars Could Be Banned From 2012 Olympics

Fears Olympics may be used as template for anti-car policy

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Could this be the best way of getting to the Olympics?

Cars are to be banned from the 2012 Olympics, according to reports.

The Olympics are also said to be a testing ground for anti-car policies in the future at all major cultural and sporting events.

Large exclusion zones are to be created banishing cars from the event except for the disabled, reports the Times newspaper.

The first edition of the Transport Plan for the 2012 Games was published by the Olympic Delivery Authority today.

The main goal of the Transport Plan is encouraging 100% of spectators to travel to the Games by public transport, walking or cycling.

Olympic organisers hope to achieve this by improving transport links in and around the Olympic Park and key 2012 venues.

The document outlines the new trains, rail lines, and platforms, enhanced stations, river works, and new walking and cycling routes that have already been delivered or are underway.

Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'We want London 2012 to be the Public Transport Games. This is not about banning people from using their cars but about making public transport, walking and cycling the most attractive option for spectators traveling to the Games.'

[stuartbuckell]

Sounds like a good idea to me, everyone on their bikes. Can't hurt for pollution and fitness.

[Tom55]

I agree, especially as I am at the end of the DLR, anyone want to let a room for the Olympics? I think £500 a night B&B should do it....

[Huggybearuk]

im quite suprised actually, i thought they would be promoting using your car so they could hit you with the congestion charge

[130R]

"This is not about banning people from using their cars but about making public transport, walking and cycling the most attractive option for spectators traveling to the Games.'"

Err, I thought it was about banning people from using their cars? Public transport, walking and cycling are likely to be the most attractive options to anyone travelling to the games if cars are banned really. I mean what are the other options? Helicopter, jet pack, dog sled ...

Edited by 130R on Tuesday 23 October 13:03

[mmltonge]

They need to make transport somewhat cheaper before then in that case in order to not piss off all the tourists and locals.


I can see Bike thieves having an absolute whail of a time during olympics if everyone is forced out of their cars too.

[SpeedyGonzales]

The government is going to lose a lot of money from Speed Camera's in London in 2012! There own fault, they won't the cyclist and not the motorist.

[jazzyjeff]

130R said:

"This is not about banning people from using their cars but about making public transport, walking and cycling the most attractive option for spectators traveling to the Games.'"

Err, I thought it was about banning people from using their cars? Public transport, walking and cycling are likely to be the most attractive options to anyone travelling to the games if cars are banned really. I mean what are the other options? Helicopter, jet pack, dog sled ...

Edited by 130R on Tuesday 23 October 13:03

Well it comes down to whether the Times' reports about exclusion zones is accurate or not. If there are exclusion zones, it would be difficult not to describe that as a ban! If not, then this is just some newspaper trying to whip up hysteria over an issue that barely warrants reporting on in the first place.

JJ

[GarC]

SpeedyGonzales said:

The government is going to lose a lot of money from Speed Camera's in London in 2012! There own fault, they won't the cyclist and not the motorist.

Nah, They'll probably set cameras up on the tracks and catch the sprinters.

Or, maybe on the cycle lanes.....

[Road_Terrorist]

SpeedyGonzales said:

The government is going to lose a lot of money from Speed Camera's in London in 2012! There own fault, they won't the cyclist and not the motorist.

Do they make any money from speed cameras in London as it is? It's pretty rare to get a chance to even reach the speed limit let alone exceed it.

[SpeedyGonzales]

Road_Terrorist said:

SpeedyGonzales said:

The government is going to lose a lot of money from Speed Camera's in London in 2012! There own fault, they won't the cyclist and not the motorist.

Do they make any money from speed cameras in London as it is? It's pretty rare to get a chance to even reach the speed limit let alone exceed it.

London is a big place you know!When i mean London, i mean the places surrounding it as well.

[flattotheboards]

its not a bad idea, its just i can see it spreading and it would be used all the time not just events.

[ukmountie]

Even better is the fact that 80,000 officials, athletes and accredited media will be provided with parking - and will have special Soviet-style VIP lanes on important London roads for a period of two months. According to the register.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/23/car_free_2...

Given that they go on to quote the Times that there are only 11,000 athletes and most of them will be withing walking distance, it really appears to be yet another case of do as we say, not as we do.

[MK4 Slowride]

[quote=article]Large exclusion zones are to be created banishing cars from the event except for the disabled, reports the Times newspaper.[/article]

So if anyone knows someone who's disabled slip them a tenner and they can drop you off outside. Judging by the amount of disabled drivers we have I doubt this will cure the traffic problem anyway. Do they really think people won't exploit this? Oh and to encourage the use of public transport rubbish it's shocking as it is and it's supposed to get better in 4-5 years

[Vodka Margarine]

Could get one of those small jet engine kits Clarkson put on a bicycle a few years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nYMwd9dmUw

Edited by Vodka Margarine on Tuesday 23 October 13:33

[peter pan]

I seem to remember they did something like this for the Dome, where it was run and largely fitted out with displays by the treehuggery brigade, and as a result there was deliberately little or no provision for car access & parking/ nearby.....wonder what happened to the dome????

[turbochrisgti]

Thousands of people will still have to drive to London or the edge of the exclusion zones anyway, which will still mean they'll be chucking out loads of pollution.

[grumbledoak]

peter pan said:

I seem to remember they did something like this for the Dome, where it was run and largely fitted out with displays by the treehuggery brigade, and as a result there was deliberately little or no provision for car access & parking/ nearby.....wonder what happened to the dome????

I had heard it burnt down, fell over, and then sank into the swamp.
I'm looking forwards to watching the Olympics do the same. Might as well get something for my £500.

[kevin ritson]

Had a dicussion on this with a colleague this morning. The article mentions that also excluded from the ban are members of the 'Olympic family', which no doubt includes all VIPs and politicians. When will they learn that you have to lead by example?

Personally I think it should include all, including the athletes: "We're sorry, the 100 metres final has been postponed for 6 hours due to a failed signal on the Central Line"

Edited by kevin ritson on Tuesday 23 October 13:48

[motormania]

what about celebs? I guess they'll still drive in wondering what all the cyclists are doing on the road!

[nrayner]

Good idea - as long as it extends to ALL attendees apart from disabled and competitors.

I bet the VIPs will have some exemption :-(