Current situation
Over 75 % of the European Union's population lives in an urban area. Urban transport systems therefore, are vital in ensuring mobility and accessibility for this population. However, such systems have brought negative side-effects. Cities are experiencing problems related to urban sprawl, congestion, air and noise pollution, poor health and safety and road accidents, with an overall loss of quality of life and efficiency. Instead of 'serving them', traffic is 'consuming' cities.
This is only likely to worsen. Between 1995 and 2030, total kilometres travelled in EU urban areas are expected to increase by 40 %. Current levels and such projected growth of car use, are unsustainable and undesirable. Without change, they will have dire consequences. A good transport system is a key element of an efficient and successful economy. Therefore, a poor, inefficient system hinders urban success. The current transport system is even counter-productive 'too much traffic kills traffic'.
Whilst cycling offers accessibility like motorised transport, cycling also protects quality of life due to the lack of the many of the negative side-effects of motorised transport, for example by being space-efficient. Urban transport systems are characterised by competition for space. The car is the least space-efficient mode of transport yet is currently given preferential treatment.
Neighbourhoods that are purported to foster high levels of cyclist and pedestrian activity are characterised by high population density, a good mixture of land use, high connectivity, and adequate design for walking and cycling. Proximity and connectivity are considered the main factors that influence the choice to use motorised or nonmotorised transport. Low density neighbourhoods are more likely to contribute to motorised transport and social isolation, consequently excessive traffic can sever communities and make sustainable modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, more difficult to use.
There is a need to:
- consider new ways to plan urban transport, which will allow cities to develop in a more environmentally and economically sustainable manner, whilst retaining mobility and accessibility.
- recognise that attempts to reduce car traffic will require changes in patterns of consumption, expectations and lifestyles and a shift in the balance between travel by car and travel by environmentally-friendly, sustainable modes.
- recognise that problems cannot be solved by simply increasing transport supply, but instead must focus on demand management, focusing on the need to reduce car use and providing viable alternatives such as cycling and walking.
- recognise that transport issues are inextricably linked to the urban form of cities and land-use policies. The dispersed nature of cities has tended to create an urban structure that is reliant on the car and that discourages alternative transport modes. The car currently dominates, representing about 75 % of all kilometres travelled in EU conurbations.
- focus on the creation of an urban form that is biased towards more sustainable modes such as walking and cycling. This could involve developing transport and land use policies together in a way that promotes land use favouring shorter trips.
- restrain transport growth and foster increased market share of non-motorised modes of transport. This can be achieved through policy tools such as fair and efficient pricing mechanisms, more targeted investments and spatial planning.
Cities are suffering from the major social and environmental consequences of car use. Trips undertaken through the use of sustainable modes of transport such as walking or cycling could replace many of those trips currently made by car, however such 'green' modes are the ones most affected by the increase in motorised traffic. The successful use and promotion of sustainable modes are hindered by increases in danger and trip length, poor facilities, pollution and noise. To prevent against the further destruction of cities the 'sustainability of urban life' must be fostered with an increase and acceptance of non-polluting modes of transport.
Cycling can:
- improve urban traffic fluidity,
- reduce traffic jams and congestion and hence increase mobility and accessibility,
- reduce use of space, allowing use of the space for more productive means,
- improve quality of life and attractiveness of urban areas.
There is also a need to create a better quality of life in cities through the adoption of a lasting and sustainable environment. In order to do this, urban strategy needs to be designed to reduce cars and as a result provide appropriate land use and traffic safety. Cycling can play a key role in this; with evidence suggesting that European cities with higher levels of cycling (as well as walking and public transport use) emerge clearly as attractive, efficient, prosperous centres with a higher quality of life. European cities with high levels of cycling, that are rich and well-functioning, show that cycling can play an important role without detriment to functionality and efficiency.
The city centre is the core of life for many cities, generating the most money and reflecting their whole image and thus impacting upon the economic significance of the city in question. The rise in car use, in many European cities, has culminated in polluted, unattractive and congested city centres which are difficult to access and unpleasant to be in.
This situation can cause damage to the city's economy as it often leads to crime and degeneration. Many cities have tried to react against this phenomenon through the reclamation of space (in the form of pedestrian areas, bicycle facilities and public transport) from the car. Public space has to be transformed into real public domain. This will enhance social integration and social safety.
The ultimate goal to work towards is that of a 'sustainable society', whereby all areas of society, from residential areas to the city centre, can function without the private car. This can be achieved through urban design (reinforced by an urban strategy including transport, environment and parking policies etc.) placing limitations upon the mobility of the car and thus improving quality of life, road safety, air pollution and noise.