” “The EU Commission’s Green Paper on urban mobility was drawn up during the year through several workshops, conferences and online consultations. "The contributions that we received have helped us understand what happens in the European cities and the aspirations of the citizens and the political players", explains the French Commissioner Jacques Barrot. The report will now be reviewed by the EU institutions, the member states, the local and regional authorities, the research centres, as well as the private citizens. "Anyone interested may express their opinions until March 15th 2008. Then an action plan on urban mobility will be developed" next autumn, according to everyone’s jurisdiction and the principle of subsidiarity. The Green Paper "presents some political options, accompanied by 25 questions for implementing such options. For instance, the reader is asked how to improve the quality of collective transport, how to boost the use of clean technology, how to promote walking and cycling as means of transport". In addition, the report questions the subject of the ‘tax’ promoted by some municipalities to let cars into their city centres. To read the text of the report or join the discussion, visit: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/index_en.htm.” “
