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Thousands go to town without cars all over Taiwan

The organizers of this year's International Car-Free Day campaign this weekend encouraged residents of Taiwan to use alternative forms of transportation in an attempt to create a better living environment by improving the quality of the air in urban areas.

Beginning Saturday, residents in 11 cities and counties in Taiwan showed their resolution to make urban air healthier by riding bicycles, rollerblading and walking.

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday joined more than 2,000 residents gathered in front of Taipei City Hall to participate in the worldwide "In town without my car" campaign.

Ma led the public in chanting a Car-Free Day slogan before setting off to enjoy a downtown bicycle ride.

According to officials of the city's Department of Transportation, this was the first time the city had used regional traffic control to give residents the opportunity to contemplate an alternative lifestyle without the use of private cars.

In central Taiwan, Taichung County Commissioner Huang Chung-sheng (黃仲生) said it was meaningful to be able to join 25 million people in more than 1,600 cities in 56 countries during the car-free event.

"We look forward to seeing more bicycles in urban areas, which will improve the air quality," Huang said.

In addition to Huang, legislators and county councilors yesterday joined more than 2,000 residents riding bicycles in Tachia (大甲) and Wuchi (梧棲) town-ships.

To further promote mass transportation, the Taipei City Government will offer half-price service to passengers using the city's mass rapid transit (MRT) system today, combined with free service on 78 shuttle bus routes.

Tomorrow, students from several primary schools in downtown Taipei will walk to school in order to demand a safer environment for children.
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