Most people continue using their car because it’s convenient, but few consider the full cost of depreciation and maintenance. Carbon dioxide emissions rarely factor in people’s choice of transport.
Timothy Welch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Electric cars are hailed as the best way to cut transport emissions, but it’s an illusion to think we can reduce our environmental impact without changing the way we design and move about in cities.
New transport plans aim to remove private cars from Birmingham city centre.
Chris Baynham | Shutterstock
When it comes to ring roads, Birmingham has a poor track record. Can the city’s new transport plan buck that trend and benefit both its inhabitants and the environment?
Gamification is a promising method for encouraging less car use in urban areas.
Marc Harris, Cardiff Metropolitan University dan Diane Crone, Cardiff Metropolitan University
New research suggests gamifying neighbourhoods could encourage people to travel more actively.
Kids tobogganing at Carlington Park in Ottawa during the Family Day long weekend 2021. The pandemic has presented significant new opportunities to move society in a direction that increases outdoor active play for children.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Tanya Halsall, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
The pandemic ushered in a renaissance of outdoor living. We need to advance the momentum for outdoor play to support the health and development of children
While the road toll has come down over the decades, it’s largely a result of fewer car occupants dying. Pedestrian deaths have barely changed for a decade, but they remain a road safety blind spot.
Cities around the world are reducing traffic speeds and improving access to local services and activities by public transport, cycling and walking. They are now reaping the many ‘slow city’ benefits.
Active travel can help tackle the climate crisis earlier than electric vehicles – even if you swap the car for a bike for just one trip a day.
In Paris, the major east-west axis, from the Place de la Concorde to the Place de la Bastille, as given a temporary ‘coronapiste’ after the pandemic broke out. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said that it will become permanent.
Mairie de Paris
The need for social distancing sparked a cycling boom, cutting air pollution and boosting city dwellers’ mental and physical health. But when the pandemic ends, will it be back to life as usual?
Emissions from road transport in New Zealand have doubled since 1990, and the Climate Change Commission recommends sweeping changes to switch to electric transport options.
Investing more in cycling and walking would boost both physical and economic health, with a typical return of $5 for every $1 spent on cycling infrastructure.
The drop in traffic during COVID-19 lockdowns reduced global emissions. If we keep encouraging cycling and working from home beyond the pandemic, our climate goals may become more achievable.