Transforming Urban Transport: How to enable more people to cycle?

CycleSheffield took part in this Festival of Debate event on the 15th May. Our presentation can be viewed here.

Limiting climate change, pollution and congestion are all good reasons for a radical move away from our-car-dominated urban transport system. Solutions are varied, often involving more active travel and public transport or reducing the need to travel.

In recent years, Sheffield has introduced a charging Clean Air Zone and a number of initiatives to limit car usage and promote active travel. Other proposed measures have been scaled back or dropped, due to opposition. This has been driven by the immediate practical impacts on local people’s lives and – to a greatly disputed extent – media misinformation about climate policies. Meanwhile, whilst an improved bus service is generally accepted as vital, it is still declining.

South Yorkshire Climate Alliance has invited a number of speakers with a variety of perspectives on the transport debate. Some will draw attention to the growing evidence about the serious impacts of climate change and air quality, which may not seem as tangible to many people as any practical issues resulting from efforts to address them. We will also hear from those who have feared or experienced difficulties from transport measures. How can these be resolved and can this be done without rowing back on the pace of transformation?