The availability of travel is a gift of living in the modern world. However, like many other modern gifts, it comes at a cost.
Transport systems (cars, airplanes, buses, rail, etc) have significant impacts upon landscape and the environment accounting for 20% of the world’s total energy consumption and 25% of greenhouse emissions and are a significant contributor to local air pollution, smog and the destruction of natural habitat. In fact, it is from the transport sector that the greenhouse gas emissions are increasing faster than any other single sector.
Transport systems, and particularly cars, also have both seen and unseen social costs including noise, road congestion, loss of community green space to roads and parking lots, vulnerability to fluctuating fuel costs, health issues relating to air pollution and the increase of a sedentary lifestyle, and the rise of road crashes (according to the World Health Organisation 400,000 children under the age of 25 are killed by road crashes in the world each year with millions more maimed and crippled).
The idea of using Sustainable Transport doesn’t say “we shouldn’t travel at all”, it says “lets be smart about the way we travel and do it in such a way that it is healthy, environmentally friendly and cost effective”.
Above all, getting out of our car and moving around on our own is a blessing. It is that much less time stuck behind the wheel at high pace life. Getting out on our feet and bicycles is cheap, low impact, healthy and a great way to take a break from our hectic lives and see our communities and friends.
It may be hard at first as many of us are addicted to the convenience of car use. Breaking the habit may take conscious effort and patience. However, once you start giving yourself a little bit extra time to walk or cycle, it will become routine and you may find yourself more and more leaving your car at home, enjoying the time to walk, cycle or chat with friends and strangers on the bus (not to mention enjoying the extra cash in the pocket- cars are expensive!).
Of course, it is important to be safe! Make sure to abide by all traffic laws and ride defensively when on your bike and never walk alone after dark. There are many free courses and online guides for tips on how to incorporate safe walking and cycling into your lifestyle. Get out there and give it a shot!