One universal fact is that the world has become reliant on transport like cars, trains, and ships to keep everything running smoothly. The commuter would agree with this as they climb into their cars and trains every morning. Businesses would agree with the notion as their imported product arrives at the dock. The truth is, we need transport to maintain the efficiency we have carefully cultivated over centuries of industrial development. But that is not to say the world does not need to reduce the amount it uses transport. Global warming and subsequent climate change have made us rethink how much we use transport and ponder upon how we might go forward in the face of this fact.
Governments developed Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) as a response to this dilemma. Their main purpose is satisfying the mobility needs of people and businesses in cities while taking into consideration quality of life. Whilst the more cynical may argue that they were created to make governments look good, their existence can only be a good thing for both people and the planet as a whole – SUMP’s contribute to reaching European climate and energy targets set by leaders. These goals are critically important to reach in a warming world – around one-quarter of global CO2 emissions come from the transportation of people and goods.
The health benefits of Sustainable Urban Motability are numerous. As the inherent idea is to encourage alternative, sustainable forms of travel, people who can do so are encouraged to walk and cycle to work. Of course, this is limited to those who live relatively close to work but for those that do, abandoning the car can provide a wealth of health benefits. Because walking and cycling will be the preferred method of transportation, a greater amount of daily exercise will be achieved. Many people don’t get the exercise they need already, so this would be an ideal way of staying fit. To accommodate the change, businesses are offering some form of the Bike to Work scheme, where employees are given a discounted new bike to use to get to work. Schemes like these will be crucial for the future of Sustainable Urban Motability.
The implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans will also provide financial benefits. This will not be directed to governments but also its citizens that follow the plans’ guidance. For example, using alternative methods of transportation can lead to reduced travel expenses, which add up over the course of a year. This money can then be used on things people enjoy like taking a trip to a restaurant and is one major highlight of Sustainable Urban Mobility.
Governments will hope to implement these plans in the coming years in order to meet environmental targets and also improve the economy.