Bouchal's personal mission was to improve the conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in the capital and across the Czech Republic. As the chairman of Oživení, an independent voluntary organization founded in 1997, he pursued projects aimed at landscape and environmental protection, local development projects and he supported the creation of a self-sufficient environment for "soft" tourism, which promotes the utilization of local facilities and products to attract tourists.

Bouchal was also coordinator of Auto*mat, an initiative that regularly organizes campaigns in support of traffic reduction. Petra Kolínská, a member of Auto*mat, says, "Prague faces serious problems in terms of traffic safety. Furthermore, in the city center, cycling paths are almost nonexistent. It is our goal to change this situation."

The overlapping goals of Auto*mat and Oživení show the great amount of effort that goes into coordinating activities among NGOs in order to influence local governments. According to Daniel Mourek, coordinator of the Greenways Association for Central and Eastern Europe, much work must still be done to change the general approach of local government toward traffic in the city. "The pressure from grassroots movements is necessary, and we try to facilitate the process," he says.

Mourek, a colleague and friend of Bouchal's, explains: "It's a matter of simple economics. How is it that drivers can park for free in the city — which suffers from heavy pollution and congestion — and then the city claims it doesn't have enough money for supporting alternative means of transportation?"

Oživení and Greenways have been successful in establishing cooperation with Prague City Hall. Several projects, for example bike rental in Karlín, together with new cycling paths in various parts of Prague, already serve the public. However, problems with project administration and using the money available remain a serious barrier in integrating biker-friendly facilities into the city's traffic system. "Prague lacks a vision," says Mourak.

Activists have received added support for their cause as a result of Bouchal's death. After hearing about Bouchal's tragic death, Environment Minister Libor Ambrozek addressed a letter to Prague Mayor Pavel Bém. "I think we should all try as much we can to prevent such tragedies," wrote Ambrozek.

Jan Bouchal's cause lives on. Auto*mat and related initiatives organize regular monthly bicycle rides across the city. You can join them at Jiřího z Poděbrad square at 6 p.m. on the following Thursdays over the next three months: March 16, April 20 and June 18th. Full information about Auto*mat can be found at www.automat.ecn.cz

Jan Bouchal didn't just leave behind a group of enthusiastic colleagues, but also a partner, Petra and a 3-year-old child, their son Jakub. It is possible to support them by contributing to the public account opened by Oživení at eBanka under account No. 2280070001, bank code 2400.

This is a transparent account, which means that anyone can view the donations at the eBanka Web site, www.ebanka.cz/tran_uct/2280070001.html. All the money donated to this fund started by Oživení goes directly to Jan Bouchal's family.