For decades, transport in countries such as Australia and New Zealand has been dominated by the car. Fortunately, more environmentally benign alternatives are now being taken seriously for local travel, propelled by issues such as climate change, traffic congestion and the health effects of being too sedentary. However, compared to parts of the world such as Europe and Southeast Asia, both Australia and New Zealand have a lot of catching up to do.
Active transport is a term that refers to a range of mobility options that avoid the need for a vehicle or public transport. These include walking, pushbikes and battery-powered e-bikes, and a range of other personal mobility devices that include scooters, skateboards and hoverboards. The new term “micromobility” refers to forms of one-person wheeled transport designed to operate over a relatively short distance.
According to recent figures, transport is responsible for about 18 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions. Walking and cycling both help to curb climate change. In cities where vehicle traffic is contributing to dangerous levels of pollutants, including particulates, these low-impact methods of transport offer a means of clearing the air.
A 2021 study led by Christian Brand from Oxford University looked at the habits of 4000 people in various European cities. It found that cycling can involve 30 times per year. This type of substitution works best for shorter-distance trips, which are also the least efficient to travel by car because the engine has not fully warmed up.
