Mobility

Mobility - In well managed cities, public transport beats the car.

For decades, the European Greens have argued that individual car travel in cities is highly inefficient and harmful to human health and the environment. Cars are usually used by just one person, and therefore consume significantly more fuel and valuable city space per passenger than vehicles of public transport. Cars burn millions of litres of fuel which is increasing in price, produce vast quantities of emissions and cause thousands of road accidents. The European Environment Agency estimated the negative externalities of transport (e.g. accidents, pollution, noise) to be 8% of the European Union’s GDP. The Greens also stress the significance of the social aspect of city transport as cars contribute to a growing atomisation and alienation of society.

In well managed cities, modern and safe public transport beats cars. The Car Free Cities network has formed in the EU, and the governments of those cities run an active transport policy which includes the promotion of green mobility: public transport, pedestrian zones and bicycle travel. Over 2000 European cities take part in European Mobility Week, which culminates in European Car Free Day. Fast “low floor” trams, local trains and buses in designated lanes which are accessible to disabled people, parents with young children and older people are becoming an attractive form of transport and are playing an important role in developing social integration.

There is another important reason for promoting green mobility in cities: transport in the European Union is responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global climate change. Transport is also the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases.

You Can Do It!

 * Find out whether your city has joined the European network of “Car Free Cities” and what it is doing to make public transport greener.
 * Organise a debate with local politicians on the subject of your city’s transport policy.