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CARROLL: 'Car-free' a gimmick

By Vincent Carroll, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 12, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Dashiell Hammett

Dashiell Hammett

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Oh, no: another empty gesture. More sermons about the importance of not driving in a city where the vast majority of us get in a car nearly every day - or else waste hours each week of our already overbooked time. Another attempt to make us feel guilty that we don't live like sardines in a dense metropolis or mimic the transportation habits of 19th century factory workers.

Yes, the "car-free" agenda may be expanding to Denver now that City Councilwoman Carla Madison wants to ban vehicles from downtown one Sunday this year and already has the mayor's support.

They ban cars annually in Bogota, Colombia, after all - Madison's inspiration - as well as in part of Portland and New York. Cheering this project on will be the World Carfree Network, "the hub of the global carfree movement" (to quote from its online site), which pushes such activities across the globe.

Look, I'm all for closing streets for festivals, bike races or other events whose sole purpose is to generate fun - if the impact on residents and businesses isn't steep. And I understand the value of constricting car use in cities where the pollution or traffic is brutal - such as Beijing.

But the car-free movement, while great for many participants, is also an exercise in consciousness-raising and creeping lifestyle management - just look at the literature. And it's this added agenda that ought to get on sober people's nerves.

When Portland closed six miles of roads earlier this summer, for example, a "transportation options program manager" for the city's Office of Transportation told The Oregonian that the idea was to "get people off their couches and onto their bicycles and feet."

Get people off their couches? We don't need government officials prodding us onto our feet or bicycles as if an aversion to exercise were the reason most of us drive. Metro Denver has great bike and hiking paths, which I'm on almost every weekend. I don't need access to the middle lanes on 17th Street, too.

"One of the things we're trying to promote in Denver is that it's a walkable city, and this would probably be the ultimate in proving that it's walkable," Madison said. Denver is not a walkable city. Downtown is walkable, which everyone already knows.

If Denver does pursue a car-free Sunday, though, it should follow Portland's lead in defraying costs. "Grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kaiser Permanente, Metro and other sponsors have completely covered the city's $150,000 tab for the event," The Oregonian reported.

Federal dollars to get people onto their bikes? Hey, that's what the story says.

One Book, Any Book?

The Thin Man is a good book by a wonderful writer, but he's been dead nearly 50 years. Shouldn't the One Book, One Denver project, if it's going to have a purpose beyond showcasing Mayor John Hickenlooper's eclectic tastes, highlight first-rate Colorado novelists unfamiliar to most of us?

If that's too narrow a focus, include works that are at least about or set in Colorado, by writers living or dead.

Dashiell Hammett, author of The Thin Man, qualifies on none of those grounds. And he's already had his day in the sun - Hollywood sun, actually, after his Continental Op and Sam Spade characters propelled him to fame.

The One Book, One Denver program is supposed to - and I'm quoting a news story here - "promote community dialogue and literacy." A fine idea, but as the program has unfolded since 2004, it's a once-a-year reading club without any unifying thread. And only once was a Colorado author - Nick Arvin - honored.

The Thin Man may be the best book yet chosen, but in many ways it's also the farthest from home.

Reach Vincent Carroll at carrollv@RockyMountainNews.com.

Comments

  • September 12, 2008

    6:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    woodwose writes:

    I am as much in favor of mass transit as anyone, I spend two hours a work day commuting 19 miles to and from work on RTD on days when I don't telecommute. But this idea is just stoopid.

    Being car-free for one day proves nothing. It's like all those "boycott gas stations for a day" plans. It accomplishes nothing except waste $150,000 of taxpayer money and impact revenue for all the businesses in the car-free zone. And it would annoy the hell out of people that didn't hear about the car-free day and had tried to drive downtown that day.

    You can certainly find better things to waste $150,000 on. In fact that's probably about what we're wasting on Councilor Madison's salary and office expenses now.

  • September 12, 2008

    6:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ghoax writes:

    life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...just where does this ban fit in? ...or are they claiming that the restriction and government control of your freedom fall under "promote for the general welfare" by banning auto's, hence banning commerce, hence keeping those with families away from places...and just how are these control freaks allowed to stay in office? Wake up people, government takes over in little baby steps one at a time until it ends up controlling everything you do...

  • September 12, 2008

    7:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    yaakovwatkins writes:

    Some retail outlets sell large bulky items which cannot be carried home on a bus. Others sell small items in bulk resulting in large savings to their customers. Those retailers will be driven away.

    It is notable that in large eastern cities, the prices are higher downtown because there are no big box stores. There are few do-it-yourself stores. These stores, (and their lower prices) have been relegated to the suburbs.

    Of course, the invisibly handicapped (those with handicaps which are not visible to the public) are caught in a double bind. They need aids like cars, yet they arouse little public sympathy or support. The people who can walk, but not very far, are a good example. I had a friend with a nerve disease which meant that he could walk just fine around inside a building but walking two blocks was out of the question. Some people have physical issues which preclude bicycle riding.

    The arrogance and insensitivity of those people promoting these kinds of forced lifestyle changes is disgusting. When it is done by elected officials it's even worse.

  • September 12, 2008

    8:48 a.m.

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    FlyfishDude52 writes:

    I think most people do what they can in regard to commuting. What these wackoes are suggesting is that the whole USA, immediately, with no real plan how to make it work, completely change their lifestyle. Yes, communting to work is a lifestyle, one that has gone on for ever, whether by foot, bike, car, truck, bus, stagecoach, etc. I've ridden my bike to work a few times ( 23 miles one-way ) to prove a point & on bike-to-work-day. It's just not practical in my profession and if I choose to ride every day I will soon be without a job. That's reality. So get your heads out of your a$$ & work for more practical ideas.

  • September 12, 2008

    9:05 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    eCurmudgeon writes:

    As to "One Book, One Denver", might I suggest instead either "The Death of the Grown-Up" by Diana West or "Real Education" by Charles Murray? Either of which would "promote community dialogue and literacy" in a manner far better than simply reading 50+ year-old fiction.

  • September 12, 2008

    9:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TC writes:

    woodwose
    Right on.
    How you chose to commute is a God given choice.
    Hell, if I could afford a new Doge Challenger I'd be burnin' the piss out of cheap $3.60 gas.
    I bike or hike to work to save time. It saves time because I combine work-out time with commute time. It's not for everybody.
    Especially pasty out of shape old men like Vince Carroll.

  • September 12, 2008

    9:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TC writes:

    Vince I've got a better reason to not chose the Thin Man.
    During the 1950s Dashiell Hammett was investigated by Congress (see McCarthyism), and testified on March 26, 1953 before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Although he testified to his own activities, he refused to cooperate with the committee, and was blacklisted.

    I'm suprised you didn't mention this.

  • September 12, 2008

    9:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Councilwoman_Carla_Madison writes:

    There is no plan at this time for any street closures. Having one car free Sunday afternoon to help boost the walkablility of Downtown is what has been discussed between myself, a few downtown advocates and some city planners. We would hopefully also engage an event with entertainment and reasons for people to come downtown and enjoy this particular afternoon. We have been wanting to promote downtown Denver as a walkable area. Many of us attended the lecture on Green Streets where the mayor of Bogota talked about how closing off streets in his downtown area allowed citizens to “take back” the streets and gave the avenues more of a human character. Shortly after that lecture New York implemented occasional street closures on 5th Avenue that seemed to be well received, at least by the press that wrote about it. We have talked about doing one afternoon, probably a Sunday because it is the lightest traffic day, at some point when all has been vetted through all the relevant city agencies and Downtown entities. We would try to pick a day with no major sporting or cultural events to avoid added difficulties.

    Here in Denver this is not about getting people "off the couch". Denver is already is one of the countries most active cities. The focus is on changing the perspective people have of the central business district and how they interact with it. Sometimes it takes an event to make the shift and get folks to look at the city they live and work in everyday in a new light. A day like this might cause someone pick up the phone and find out about the bus that runs to downtown from where they live or drive to the edge of downtown, park and take a pedi-cab or the Mall shuttle down to the Theater District. One of the hopes of the afternoon would be to get people out of their cars and experience Downtown and interact a little more with each other.

    Sincerely,
    Carla

    Carla Madison
    City Councilwoman District 8
    303-587-6543 cell
    303-298-7641 office
    2713 Welton Street, 80205
    carla.madison@denvergov.org

  • September 12, 2008

    9:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    krvus writes:

    Councilwoman_Carla_Madison-
    Well, unfortunately, most people here have stated their opinion that we the people who put you folks in office do not want to be forced into any little pet ideas that you may have gotten from one of your visits elsewhere. How do you plan to "help boost the walkablility of Downtown is what has been discussed between myself, a few downtown advocates and some city planners: without closing any streets? Your idea will turn into something of the sort I'm sure. You are just glossing it over right now to get "your foot in the door". This is not an art project to "give the avenues more of a human character".
    Please do us all a favor and concentrate on things more worthy of the City Council and not these off the wall pet projects. At least find out why the police decided to wipe out some so called art/graffiti for Obama's visit.

  • September 12, 2008

    11:07 a.m.

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    daRock writes:

    I think staying out of downtown Denver is a great idea....and avoid going there unless I absolutely have to.

  • September 12, 2008

    11:08 a.m.

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    P_Denver writes:

    Councilwoman,

    Comparing ANYTHING in the USA with ANYTHING in Columbia is dumb. You have obviously never been there. It's a pit. Especially their shining example of a capitol city ... surrounded by a garbage dump and shanty towns.

    We're not (thank GOD!) Columbia. Don't model Denver after them!

  • September 12, 2008

    5:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    "Having one car free Sunday afternoon to help boost the walkablility of Downtown"

    This is illogical and hilarious. The hardship it imposes on old people will somehow keep cars off the streets during the week? Footfalls on 17th Street will encourage others? Who elects these people?

    The liberal mind is a cold desert.

    The Thin Man was an alcoholic. Hick owns bars, serves alcohol to people who shouldn't be drinking. It's the Subtance Abuse Democrats.

  • September 13, 2008

    12:45 a.m.

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    lindaseebach writes:

    If you're disabled, as I am, downtown Denver is not "walkable." It's a nightmare of curbs, irregular pavements, bumps and holes. Mass transit? Impractical, and inconvenient for everyone else, let alone me, because I take too long to suit them. Bicycles? Are you serious?
    I moved.

  • September 13, 2008

    11:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    Linda
    Am I to understand those who live or work downtown on Sunday afternoon will be prevented from driving, an additional hardship, especially on those tireless, underpaid, over-talented servants of the DNA? A friend of mine lives in a "loft" in the Boston Building. She works at a restaurant in Evergreen on Sundays to pay her child support. What would Carla Madison say to her, "get a job Downtown." The Evergreen job is one day a week and very stable and safe. Liberalism is a Marie Antoinette cult, as Madison attempts to solve global warming on the backs of the elderly, the disabled, and those under the gun.

    I could actually paddle a canoe from where I live to Downtown. I'm demanding two things: a locking canoe rack and a reverse flowing stream going home.

  • September 13, 2008

    1:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    prk166 writes:

    "Having one car free Sunday afternoon to help boost the walkablility of Downtown is what has been discussed between myself, a few downtown advocates and some city planners."

    Carla, that would do nothing to boost walkability. Downtown is already very walkable, especially with the 16th street shuttle helping supplement long walks across downtown and LoDo. This is nothing more than a political stunt that proves nothing more than we should all continue to look down upon politicians as people that are more interested in getting votes than being leaders.

  • September 13, 2008

    4:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    My wife and I avoid the mall. The teen gangs in three's and four's try to maneuver older people into the shuttles. At least one person has been murdered. Now get this, the cops work lower downtown chasing the kids by the thousands to upper Downtown. I wonder why?

  • September 13, 2008

    5:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jamesdenver writes:

    Excellent commentary. Being an active biker, and living near downtown where I can walk places, I of all people would be supportive of a car free day. But I agree its intrusive and unnecessary.

    I wrote the following points on my blog:
    http://www.futuregringo.com/index.php...

    1. Primarily: There’s no reason for it. Its government creating a solution where there’s no problem. Why close off downtown to cars, when cars aren’t wreaking any havoc in the first place? We don’t have the congestion of New York (the inspiration for Carla Madison’s idea,) and we don’t have the pollution of Mexico City or Bogota. Sunday traffic isn’t bad in the central business district. Sure sporting events and theater traffic near the DCPA cause some localized congestion at certain times, but when I bike I can fly down 15th Street or up 17th Street with minimal traffic around me. I’m more hindered by the buses that spew exhaust on these two streets than I am by cars.

    2. Denver already IS a walkable city. I know that because I see people walking in the city and enjoying themselves. Tourists and visitors love downtown. We have an incredible pedestrian mall that anchors the city, and from this WALKABLE pedestrian mall you can access all points in downtown on well maintained wide sidewalks.

    3. Its an inconvenience to people, and businesses and economy will suffer. We have excellent transit links to the southwest and southeast part of the city, but save for Boulder areas to the far north and east don’t have accessible transit on the weekends. If this idea did come to fruition then RTD should be stepping up the express bus service from Thornton and Longmont. Tourists en route to or returning to the mountains want to spend a day in Denver. They’re told they have to park two miles away to access the heart of the city? How is a visitor leaving a hotel on Sunday going to get to the airport in his rental car? Are cabs and super shuttles allowed in?

    From my home in Congress Park I almost always bike or take the bus downtown, but there are times when I’ve driven. I support incentives for the former, but I want the choice.

    I’ve never found cars to be a nuisance in downtown Denver. Downtown is easily walkable, bikeable, and there’s cabs and pedicabs a plenty. I’m proud to be a liberal democrat, but in this case my libertarian side says this program is unnecessary, intrusive, and will do more harm than good.

  • September 13, 2008

    9:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    JamesDenver
    "Its government creating a solution where there’s no problem. Why close off downtown to cars, when cars aren’t wreaking any havoc in the first place?"

    This is about a politician who wants a career.

    When I lived on Capitol Hill, I rode a bike everywhere, to school, to work. All my transportation needs were handled on a bicycle. Then something unexpected happened. I got old. When that happened, the city became suddenly hostile. The city is not built for aging.

    It would be my luck that I drive downtown after a decade avoiding it on the very day they begin the car ban.