| German Ministry of Transport sees E-Bike Potential |
08-09-2010 |
| In a meeting with European Cyclists’ Federation President Manfred Neun, Rainer Bomba, State Secretary in the German Ministry for Transport, showed positive surprise with the progress in the state of technological development achieved by electrically assisted bicycles. |
| Trams return to Olsztyn after 50 years (Poland) |
07-09-2010 |
| The municipality of Olsztyn, in north-eastern Poland, is reintroducing trams as part of improvements to its public transport system. Thirteen modern tram vehicles will begin running on the city?s streets from 2013, almost 50 years after the last tram line closed in 1965. |
| Changing attitudes is the key to safer young drivers |
06-09-2010 |
| RoadSafe believes that the key to reducing crashes lies in improving young driver's understanding and management of risk. Drivers also need to choose the safest cars available especially those equipped with eSafety systems. Their contribution to casualty reduction as shown by the 16% reduction in-car users killed in 2009 is significant. |
| Tips for eco-safe driving (UK) |
06-09-2010 |
| Minimising vehicle use is the best way to save fuel and improve road safety, but for the times when a journey is the only option, UK Driving Standards Agency trials of 'eco-safe driving' have shown that savings between 5% and 17% (average 8.5%) in fuel used are possible for drivers ranging from novice to expert. |
| Poorer children at higher risk of road accidents |
06-09-2010 |
| Road Safety Analysis has revealed the results of a study measuring child road casualty risk according to the area they live in. The research is based on five years’ data covering over 120,000 child road casualties and is the first time that such a detailed study has been conducted. |
| Light rail for three Galician cities (Spain) |
02-09-2010 |
| Three major cities in Spain’s north-western region of Galicia are preparing to construct light rail systems. |
| Towards a more bicycle-friendly environment in Vigo (Spain) |
01-09-2010 |
| Vigo is aiming to become a more sustainable and eco-friendly city, where the use of the bicycle is widely recognized. |
| Higher taxes for diesel cars without particulate filters (Belgium) |
31-08-2010 |
| The Flemish government is planning to reform car taxes. The new taxes will raise the cost of a second-hand diesel car without a particulate or soot filter by €1000. Motoring organisation VAB has warned that the extremely high rates will affect the second-hand market. |
| Urban bus lines to promote tourist sites around Bucharest (Romania) |
31-08-2010 |
| An agreement has been signed by The Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, Romania and RATB (Local Transport Bucharest Operator) to launch nine bus routes this month to promote touristic destinations located within 50 km of Bucharest. |
| Hybrid cars good alternative to electric vehicles (The Netherlands) |
31-08-2010 |
| Research undertaken by the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands has found that switching to hybrid cars and sustainable biofuels is cheaper and easier than introducing cars that run on hydrogen or electricity. The findings suggest hybrids on biofuels can match the level of emissions reduction of electric vehicles. |
| London’s ambitious bike sharing scheme (UK) |
31-08-2010 |
| The city of London has officially launched its ambitious public bike sharing scheme with 6000 new bicycles. The initiative will allow commuters and tourists to take bikes from 400 docking stations, spaced at 300 yard intervals, for short journeys around central London. |
| First charging points for electric cars in Galicia (Spain) |
31-08-2010 |
| The city of Vigo is promoting the electric car by unveiling Galicia’s first parking spots with recharging facilities. |
| Austria’s first secure cycle parking facility "Radhouse" opens |
31-08-2010 |
| The first secure cycle parking facility at a train station in Austria has been opened in Frohnleiten near Graz. The so called “Radhouse” is intended for commuters who arrive by bicycle at the train station and continue their journeys by train. |
| AENEAS featured on German-French TV channel ARTE |
31-08-2010 |
| On September 6, the German-French TV channel ARTE will broadcast a feature programme on ageing and how to remain fit in old age by cycling, regardless of one’s circumstances. |
| 10 Principles for Transport in Urban Life |
30-08-2010 |
| Urban consultant Jan Gehl and Walter Hook have together set out ten key steps to creating more sustainable cities in a new publication “Our Cities Ourselves: 10 Principles for Transport in Urban Life”. The publication’s purpose is to reframe the issue of transport so that it is no longer seen as separate from urban design. |
| Module on Financing Sustainable Urban Transport |
30-08-2010 |
| Urban transport has historically not received the attention, careful planning and financial support it deserves in order to function in a sustainable manner. To address this, this new GTZ Sourcebook module provides detailed information on the options available for financing urban transport. |
| Toyota Prius to include engine sounds for safety reasons |
30-08-2010 |
| From 30th August, people will be able to purchase a Toyota Prius with an optional extra: the sound of an engine. It is hoped this will improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. |
