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Londoners ditch ‘green’ transport in favour of cars
A big drop in the proportion of journeys being made by “green” forms of transport in London can been revealed.
www.standard.co.uk
A big drop in the proportion of journeys being made by “green” forms of transport in London can been revealed.
Transport for London data shows the number of journeys walked, cycled or made by public transport has fallen from 63 per cent to 57 per cent as a consequence of the pandemic.
This is largely a consequence of the huge drop in Tube and bus journeys and the return to car travel over the last year, as cycling levels have increased across the capital.
It means Mayor Sadiq Khan has fallen further behind his target of 80 per cent of journeys being made by active or sustainable forms of transport by 2041.
Alex Williams, TfL’s director of city planning, said the so-called “modal share” had fallen from 63 per cent in 2019/20 to 57 per cent in the 2020 calendar year. “It does emphasise our recent concerns about a car-led recovery,” he said.
I do find this concerning but it is ultimately what the UK government wanted. At the moment with the mask requirement on public transport continuing until at least July, they are not doing anything to reverse this either.
I expect the cycling will follow, as the number of cars on the roads will make it increasing more dangerous to cycle and most will simply stick to the safer car. I have noticed the amount of aggression towards cyclists has increase over the past 12 months as motorists don't want them on their roads. I once a disagreement with one that told me I should pay tax - I pay as much as certain Diesel cards £0. I should be paying insurance - I am am. You shouldn't be allowed on the roads as you slow down the traffic.
Be interesting if they can't get people back on public transport in London - what hope elsewhere has.