The Vital Role of Active Transport and Public Transit in Citie

Urban transportation is a major source of carbon emissions. As cities grow and expand, the need for sustainable and low-carbon transportation becomes increasingly important. Adopting low-carbon transportation strategies can significantly reduce a city’s carbon footprint and help create a healthier, more livable urban environment.

Here are 15 reasons why low-carbon transportation is critical for cities:

1. Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Transportation accounts for around 20-25% of global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. These emissions contribute heavily to climate change. Shifting to low-carbon modes of transport like walking, biking, public transport, and electric vehicles can dramatically reduce a city’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, London reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% between 1990 and 2015 largely by promoting public and active transport. Other cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam have also successfully lowered emissions by making cycling a mainstream mode of transport.

2. Improves Air Quality

Gasoline and diesel vehicles emit high levels of air pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants negatively impact human health and contribute to problems like asthma, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease.

Shifting trips to low-carbon modes like walking, cycling, and public transit reduces the number of polluting cars on the road. It also lowers overall vehicle mileage and congestion-related emissions. This leads to improved air quality and public health outcomes.

For instance, when Paris restricted car access and expanded bike lanes and transit, it reduced air pollution by 6-12% in just one year. This highlights the tremendous potential of low-carbon transportation.

3. Enhances Public Health

In addition to improving air quality, active transport modes like walking and biking provide tremendous public health benefits. They enable people to integrate physical activity into their daily commutes. This helps lower obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses.

For example, one study found that countries with high rates of walking and cycling have up to 30% lower rates of diabetes and obesity. Promoting low-carbon transport and more physical activity can significantly enhance public health in cities.

4. Reduces Noise Pollution

Gasoline and diesel engines in cars and trucks produce high noise levels that contribute to urban noise pollution. This noise pollution is linked to hearing loss, sleep disturbances, stress, and even higher rates of cardiovascular disease.

Transitioning to electric vehicles and promoting active transport substantially reduces traffic noise in cities. For instance, at low speeds, electric vehicles are almost silent compared to conventional engine vehicles. Lowering vehicle noise has many public health and quality of life benefits.

5. Improves Safety

Traditional car-centric city designs often lack adequate walking and biking infrastructure. This forces people onto dangerous high-speed roads and leads to more crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Well-designed walking and biking networks separate vulnerable users from high-speed traffic. This reduces the risk of fatalities and severe injuries. For example, when protected bike lanes were installed in New York City, injury rates for all road users declined by 40%.

Prioritizing low-carbon transportation through better infrastructure improves road safety for everyone.

6. Saves Money and Time

Cars are expensive. The average annual cost of owning and operating a mid-size car is $8,500 to $11,000 per year. Opting for transit, walking, biking, and micromobility can provide huge household savings. Public transit also often provides faster journeys than congested roads in cities.

For example, congestion costs the average car commuter $1,600 per year in lost time and fuel. Using low-carbon transportation saves both money and time for individuals. It also reduces productivity losses and healthcare costs for cities as a whole.

7. Frees Up Space for People

On-street parking and multi-lane roads take up tremendous amounts of prime urban space. This reduces density and makes cities less livable.

Reducing private car usage through low-carbon transport frees up street space for wider sidewalks, bike lanes, green space, and other uses. This creates more vibrant, people-oriented cities.

For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many cities created new pedestrian zones and bike lanes by taking space from cars. This improved safety and enhanced public spaces at a low cost.

8. Supports Local Businesses

Pedestrians and cyclists frequent local shops and restaurants more than drivers. By designing cities for active transport and public transit, spending gets reinvested into the local economy.

For example, one study found that bike lanes increased retail sales by 49% compared to automobile lane capacity projects. Low-carbon transportation facilitates more local and more frequent purchases.

9. Improves Real Estate Values

Homes and properties located in walkable, bikeable areas with good public transit tend to have higher values. One analysis found a real estate premium of $9,000 to $34,000 for locations with above-average walk scores.

By creating more low-carbon transportation options, cities can boost property values and tax revenues. It enhances real estate investment in sustainable locations.

10. Attracts Businesses and Talent

Companies and skilled workers are increasingly migrating to cities with good public transit and great bikeability. Active and low-carbon transport provides better access to labor markets and improves employee health, productivity, and satisfaction.

For instance, the addition of protected bike lanes boosted retail and food service employment by 102 jobs in Memphis, TN. Low-carbon transportation gives cities a competitive economic advantage.

11. Reduces Congestion

Reliance on private cars congests city streets and slows down mobility. Shifting trips to space-efficient modes like transit, walking, biking, and shared micromobility alleviates congestion.

For example, during a Los Angeles transit strike, traffic congestion increased 47% on major corridors. Effective low-carbon transport reduces congestion for more efficient mobility.

12. Promotes Compact Growth

Low-carbon transportation promotes compact, mixed-use development. This creates walkable neighborhoods with amenities and jobs clustered together. Compact growth reduces sprawl and further lowers emissions.

Urban neighborhoods with good transit access have about one-third the vehicle mileage compared to auto-dependent areas. Low-carbon transport enables sustainable land use patterns.

13. Improves Equity & Access

Car ownership is expensive. An estimated 25% of households in the US do not own a car. Reliance on cars and lack of quality transit reduces mobility for low-income groups.

Investing in safe, affordable, and convenient low-carbon transportation provides access and opportunity for all. It ensures affordable mobility is not limited to those who can afford a car.

14. Adapts to the Future

Electric and autonomous vehicle technology will disrupt transportation in coming decades. Cities that invest early in walking, biking, and public transit will have flexibility to adapt.

In contrast, cities that lag on low-carbon transportation will face pressure to rebuild roads and infrastructure. Planning for flexible, low-carbon mobility creates resiliency.

15. Improves Quality of Life

Beyond economic and environmental benefits, low-carbon transportation improves livability and happiness. Walkable, bikeable neighborhoods foster community. Public transit provides seamless mobility and access.

Copenhagen, for instance, has the highest biking mode share in the world – and frequently ranks among the world’s happiest cities. Sustainable transport and quality of life go hand-in-hand.

The Path Forward

Transitioning to low-carbon transportation requires comprehensive planning and investment by cities. Here are key steps that city leaders can take to promote sustainable mobility:

Adopt a bold vision – Set clear mode share targets for walking, biking, transit, and electric vehicles. Communicate the benefits widely.
Build complete networks – Ensure safe, continuous infrastructure for walking and biking on all major streets. Invest in high-frequency public transit.
Redesign streets – Reallocate space from cars to create wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and pedestrian zones.
Limit parking – Reduce parking requirements and set caps on off-street parking in new developments. Price or eliminate on-street parking.
Charge for driving – Use techniques like low-emission zones, congestion pricing, tolls, and increased fuel taxes to limit private car use.
Electrify vehicles – Transition municipal fleets to electric vehicles. Install extensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Enhance access – Provide discounted transit passes and mobility options for low-income residents. Site affordable housing near transit.
Lead by example – Implement low-carbon commute programs for city employees. Purchase only clean, efficient vehicles for city business.
Educate and promote – Market the benefits of sustainable transportation. Provide route maps, signage, and bike parking.
Partner with business – Work with employers to offer transit passes, bike facilities, telework options, and flex scheduling.

With rising urbanization and growing climate concerns, low-carbon transportation must be a priority. Implementing the right policies, plans, and programs can set any city on a path toward sustainable mobility. The benefits for human health, the environment, and urban vitality are immense. Cities that transform their transportation systems to minimize carbon emissions will thrive far into the future.