Paris is following on the heels of a successful bicycle rental programme in Lyons, making available over 20,000 bikes at 1,450 stations across the city by the end of this year. It will be cheap, fast, convenient and healthy, with a station on average every 250 metres across Paris.
On 6 October 2006, the South African Department of Transport gazetted for public comment Draft Minimum Requirements for the Preparation of Integrated Transport Plans (ITPs). I prepared a response [840KB PDF] on behalf of Arup, with input from Andrew Marsay and Theo le Roux. Some of our key points:
China is struggling to prevent the rise of automobiles from snuffing out a historically strong bicycle culture. This article from ITDP illustrates the role of municipal officials in implementing national policy.
One definition of sustainable mobility is that used by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as part of that organization’s Mobility Project 2030:
...mobility that meets the needs of society to move freely, gain access, communicate, trade and establish relationships without sacrificing other essential human or ecological requirements today or in the future.
There is a need to unpack this definition in order to identify appropriate transport planning strategies. This can be done by establishing a set of principles that provide a framework for policy goals that will change over time, in response to the changing status quo and political priorities. The strategies derived from these principles would not only be about the modes people are using, nor only about transportation. They would require a multi-sector, inclusive approach to planning.
I suggest the following principles:
1. Preserve the natural environment
The environment should not be degraded by transport-related activity.
2. Maintain human health and safety
Transport systems can have a direct impact on health and safety.
3. Meet the travel needs of the population
People need reliability and choice of modes in an integrated system that provides for those of all abilities and financial means.
4. Support a good economy
Transport needs to support an economy that improves the well-being of all people, with due regard to social equity.
5. Minimize transport costs for access and mobility
Reducing the cost of mobility and access will improve the ability of transport-disadvantaged people to make use of available social, cultural and economic opportunities.
6. Minimize infrastructure costs
Transport systems need to be planned in a manner that their infrastructure and services can be funded in the long term, and that best use is made of investments.
7. Maintain energy security
Transport can play a significant role in helping to decouple support of a good economy from increasing demand for fossil fuels.
8. Ensure long-term viability of the transport system
Transport infrastructure and services need to be continuously maintained; and as an integrated system, all components must work together for optimum effectiveness.
Download complete definition of sustainable mobility [116KB PDF file].
[Updated 15 March 2007]
