Cycling infrastructure is improving, albeit slowly. Transport for London (TfL) is investing billions in cycle routes like Cycleways, which are lanes separated from the road. Bike-sharing and park-and-ride schemes are springing up in other cities. Despite this, British roads remain unsafe for cyclists, and activists continue to demand stronger action from local councils.
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Green transport isn’t just about electric cars and bicycles. Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in public transport, particularly rail. LNER has launched fully electric routes on the east coast, and train operators are switching to biodiesel and hybrid trains. For many, train travel is becoming preferable to short flights, especially after airports and airlines began to actively discuss the carbon footprint of aviation.
Other alternatives are also rapidly developing in cities. Car-sharing services (car clubs), such as Zipcar, allow you to use your car only when you really need it, eliminating the need to own a car. For many residents of central London or Manchester, this is the optimal solution: hourly car access, parking included, and the option to choose an electric vehicle.
Pedestrian infrastructure is also being revitalized. Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTN) programs, which restrict through-traffic in residential areas, are hotly debated, but their proponents point to reduced traffic, improved air quality, and increased safety for children playing in the streets. These initiatives are changing the very fabric of urban space, making it more humane.
For businesses, switching to green transport is becoming not just an ethical choice but an economic necessity. Amazon, DPD, and Royal Mail are converting their city fleets to electric cars and e-bikes, reducing emissions and lowering fuel costs. In London, hundreds of “last mile” deliveries are already being made on e-cargo bikes, which can use cycle lanes and avoid congestion charges.