This NY Times article (full text linked below) exposes the hypocrisy inherent in the mobile phone industry's lukewarm support for rules governing cel phones and driving. It also shows that despite evidence of the dangers since day one, corporate profits have (as usual) trumped public safety.

Promoting the Car Phone, Despite Risks

Martin Cooper, who developed the first portable cellphone, recalled testifying before a Michigan state commission about the risks of talking on a phone while driving.

Common sense, said Mr. Cooper, a Motorola engineer, dictated that drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Commission members asked Mr. Cooper what could be done about risks posed by these early mobile phones.

“There should be a lock on the dial,” he said he had testified, “so that you couldn’t dial while driving.”

It was the early 1960s.

Labels: cel phones, dangerous driving, road safety

COPENHAGEN, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Counting down to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) in December, the people of Copenhagen will be pedalling hard to light up the traditional Christmas tree on City Hall Square.

Tradition has it that the big Christmas tree on Copenhagen's City Hall Square is lit up with hundreds of lights. But this year it will be a different story - unless people pedal hard, that is.

During the Climate Summit, Copenhagen's City Hall Square will be transformed into a climate-friendly city called Hopenhagen Live. Until 18 December, Copenhageners and anyone else who is concerned about the environment can jump on the bikes and pedal to light up the tree - and burn a few calories while they're at it. This alternative way of lighting up the Christmas tree will save the environment a total of nine tonnes of CO2 compared to the traditional way of powering the lights.


photo: http://www.copenhagenmediacenter.com

Copenhagen is already known as the City of Cyclists, and the term Copenhagenize has become a catchword for a new concept - when cities work to encourage increased usage of this healthy and CO2-friendly means of transport. With more than 350 kilometres of cycle lanes and one third of all Copenhageners commuting by bike every day, Copenhagen truly is a bicycle city.

While the UN Climate Summit is taking place in Bella Center from 7 - 18 December, the whole city will be booming with international cultural events. At City Hall Square there will be music, exhibitions and happenings. Al Gore and Bishop Desmond Tutu will be in town, and more than 65 heads of state and government will take part in the official COP15 in Bella Center - not to mention the 100 mayors from all over the world invited to City Hall Square during the summit.

Follow the cyclists lighting up the tree at http://www.hopenhagenlive.dk/

Labels: Christmas lights, climate change, Copenhagen, cycling