Things are different in China -- No Car Day, Sept. 22nd

Could you imagine we American motorists all leaving our cars at home one day a year and riding our bikes or walking to work? Ludicrous to even suggest, right?

Things are different in China, and September 22 will prove that yet again. The government has declared this date for the first annual No Car Day, a day on which its citizens are expected to return to less polluting forms of transportation. Over 100 cities are participating, including Shanghai, where private cars will be prohibited in the downtown area.

The government hopes to reduce pollution as it struggles with the country's growing love affair with the automobile. Despite stringent restrictions (winners of the monthly auction for license plates for Shanghai residents have to pay over $6,000) car sales are still booming. The growing car population is congesting a road system built for much less abusive use.

This could also be test of how congestion and pollution could be minimized during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

A day without cars. I'd like to see that, just once in my lifetime. Starting after my morning coffee run, of course.