Prioritizing cyclists and pedestrians.
This note will start a rather vast series on public transport. And to bring in a proper introduction and mention some critical points, I would like to first talk about the new wave of interest towards an active way of living in the sense of transportation. It only considers bounded life bubbles surrounded by routine tasks within a small radius of the house. This lifestyle is what I call "Movement in the daily life of individuals. Reconsidered."
Before we dive deeper into the matter, I have to point out the main reason for such an examination choice. Why do I consider active living a decisive aspect of my prefatory studies? Well, shortly speaking, on a global scale we can easily find a correlation between an extensive focus of individuals on this lifestyle and enhanced urban planning schemes. All this is happening because, to practically fix the implemented change, urbanism initially needs to slowly accustom a mass of people to live in a new way. In a way, that is different from what they habitually acquired due to the given environment. Thus, any shift of preferences of individuals that goes along with the plans of urban planners is to be noticed and spoken about.
With essential travel restricted, walking and cycling have appeared to be vital forms of mobility during the COVID-19 crisis. As cities planned how to live sustainably with the virus, more walking and cycling emerged as critical aspects that enable more people to travel safely and efficiently around their urban areas.
Around the globe, cities have responded with remarkable speed to the demand and chance to elevate cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Pioneering projects include temporary bike lanes in Berlin and open streets of San Francisco.
But what is so special about these forms of transport? Let us recall. Active travel can help prevent heavy health conditions that are connected to a lack of physical activity. In addition, outdoor physical activity strengthens the immune system and improves the quality of sleep. It also supports mental and emotional well-being and reduces the risks of depression. Furthermore, replacing vehicle traffic with more walking and cycling reduces air pollution and makes streets more pleasant to use. It also diminishes traffic noise that leads to anxiety, hearing loss, and insomnia.
We have come to a re-realization regarding the importance of such a shift towards sustainable forms of transport and their prioritization. For ultimate success, cities should develop extensive projects that see public spaces reclaimed from vehicles and streets adjusted to lively and sustainable types of transport. Municipalities can offset some of the consequences by prioritizing and increasing the number of buses on roads and enforcing other measures to improve the overall capacity of public transport webs. However, numerous public transport users will need to take only occasional trips or travel by foot, bike, or car. Without investment in walking and cycling, cities are likely to witness a rise in car traffic, leading to tremendous overloads, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a worsened air pollution and noise levels, among other issues.
Investment in walking and cycling will quickly help to revitalize high streets and deliver benefits for local economies, as well as modifications in air pollution, equity, and more.
Bibliography:
C40 Knowledge Community, www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/How-to-achieve-a-walking-and-cycling-transformation-in-your-city?language=en_US. Accessed 17 June 2023.
Cover source: https://www.istockphoto.com/fr/photos/shadow-of-person-on-bicycle-black-and-white