Less road traffic means safer communities for people, pets and wildlife. It’s all interlinked. If we we want an animal-friendly world, it helps to focus on creating local walkable communities with good public transit, over roads gridlocked with traffic, from lorries thundering factory-farmed foods from central distribution houses to major supermarkets. And fosters locally owned co-operative farm shops and groceries.
The Dutch have the right idea, with thousands of bike highways, but what happens to people who want to cycle at a more leisurely place?
And what about children playing outside their homes? Or wildlife which live in local areas? Why do we make traffic (‘getting there’) of importance above all else?
Curbing Traffic is a book by a couple who moved from Canada to Delft (The Netherlands) to experience the cycling city as residents. They weave their personal story with research and interviews with experts and locals, to help readers share the experience of living in a city designed for people.
The book also looks at constant focus on the car has led to people without cars (especially the elderly) to feel isolated and become dependent on others for food or company or exercise.
For green spaces, read our posts on pet-friendly gardens and wildlife-friendly gardens (don’t plant flowers in railings, where nocturnal wildlife could get trapped). Also learn how to stop birds flying into windows.
Movement is a book concerned with how we get from A to B. And what happens if we radically rethink how we use our public spaces? Could our lives change for the better? Our dependence on cars at present is damaging both the health of the planet and of ourselves.
Who do our streets belong to, what do we use them for, and who gets to decide? By the end of this book, you’ll never look at the street outside your front door, in the same way again.
An entertaining overview of how the Netherlands became a mecca for cycling. The authors make a strong case for putting cycling at the heart of our transport systems, but aren’t shy about identifying flaws in the Dutch approach. Ben Coates
This book will make you think in new ways. Why have we surrendered our cities to cars? What might it be like to inhabit a space designed for people instead? It’s exciting and hopeful – this can we do! Bill McKibben
Thaila Verkade lives in Rotterdam and writes about language, transport and democracy. Marco te Brömmelstroet is chair of Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam.
When Driving Is Not An Option looks at why town planners are always designing for cars, when around a third of people in western countries don’t even have a driving license. Most involuntary drivers are on low incomes, homeless, disabled, children, too old to drive, formerly in prison or undocumented immigrants.
So we end up with towns exclusively for everyone else, which has health, environmental and quality-of-life costs for everyone (not just those excluded from planning ideas).
In this book, the author (a disability advocate) shines a line on people who cannot drive, and how creating inclusive transport systems can help everyone to get around safely.
Her ideas include improving pavements, offering more affordable accessible housing and creating free & discounted public transport. The book ends with a checklist of actions you can take, if you’re a walker living in a car-dependent society.
For travelling dogs, always carry extra water and visit Driving With Dogs (this site lists exits on motorways with nearby walking areas so you don’t have to ‘guess’ which exit to try.
The site was founded by a couple who were stuck in a traffic jam and wanted to know the nearest safe exit to give their dog some fresh air and a walk. Don’t let dogs run after long car journeys (or meals) for at least a couple of hours, to help prevent bloat.
Imagine a city where buses and trains run on time, are clean, and connect seamlessly. Such improvements can encourage more people to opt for public transport over personal vehicles. By providing reliable and efficient alternatives, urban planners can significantly reduce traffic congestion and lower the environmental impact of transportation.
Investing in biking and pedestrian infrastructure can significantly alleviate traffic issues. Cities can create dedicated bike lanes, improve sidewalks, and develop pedestrian-friendly areas. By encouraging walking and cycling, they can reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Think about a city where you can safely cycle to work or walk to the nearest grocery store. Such an environment not only eases congestion but also promotes a healthier lifestyle. Fewer cars mean less pollution, benefiting both the community and the planet.
Car-sharing companies let several people rent the same car throughout the day. Not only does this let drivers rent new, safe cars for a fraction of the cost of owning one, but as each car is used on average by 20 people in a day, this frees up 19 parking spaces, and takes masses of (stationary) cars off the road.
Public Transport Enhancements
- We have fairly modern traffic lights, but nothing like those used abroad. Smart traffic lights that adjust to help prevent traffic jams and road rage, are now the norm in 22 American cities.
- Restrict parking at schools, where parents arrive at the gates in their cars at the same time, when often it’s not far to walk. Use safe school routes (with walking school buses).
- Affordable bus services are dire, especially at weekends. Learn more on how to make bus transport more appealing. Light rail (which takes more people than buses) often runs on separate roads and is faster.
- New York has become transformed by the former transport commissioner with less road traffic and congestion (read her book Handbook for an Urban Revolution to learn how she did it).
How Ghent City Avoids Traffic Jams
In the car-free city of Ghent (The Netherlands), the town planners deliberately make it really easy to walk or get public transport into the city centre, so drivers have to navigate ring roads if they wish to drive near the city. In other words, it’s more of a hassle to drive there than to walk there, or take the bus.
At most times, the only cars allowed are emergency vehicles. And before 11am and after 6pm, streets are open to public transport, refuse collectors, doctors and taxis (plus electric and cargo bikes).
But during the day, it’s people and ambulances/fire engines/police cars only. People with bikes are also allowed, as long as they push their bikes by hand!
This city of around 100,000 people now has over 2 bikes per household, almost 20% less air pollution than other cities, hardly any traffic jams on outer roads (note to M25), far fewer traffic accidents and ‘the noisy opposition’ quietened down long ago!
Make better road signs. In North America and Germany, road signs are more visual and also have far larger fonts, so are easier to read. Critics say our road signs are too small and hard to read, with the wrong colours. Others saying reducing ‘sign clutter is key, as often there are so many signs and road markings that it becomes too complicated.
How Barcelona is Reducing Traffic Jams
Barcelona is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. And unlike Donald Trump (who even has problems with electric motor cars), this city uses an innovative SuperBlock model to gradually turn the streets car-free.
Plagued with over-tourism, this city (which also features a beautiful beach alongside the stunning main shopping street and Gothic cathedral) is using ideas that are inspiring other traffic-logged cities like Los Angeles.
The ‘Park Block’ program in Barcelona creates groups of nine blocks, then cars can only use the outside streets, so the main inner streets are used for walkers and transit (like buses and trams).
Since 2016, this program has reduced traffic accidents, noise pollution and made the air cleaner (and helped to reduce heat island effect, especially important for warmer cities).
As a result, new community spaces have thrived like public parks for people to sit and chat, while relaxing in daily life, instead of spending their lives stuck in traffic jams (or trying to cross the road amid huge traffic, as happens in other European cities like Naples).
Lessons in Urban Transport from Chicago
Often known as ‘they windy city’ Chicago is the main city of the US state of Illinois. A very urban area, it’s a good example of how to do transport well, and its cycle system is so good, that it’s often emulated worldwide.
Not only are there wonderful bike lanes, but there are also several bike stations, where riders can drop off bikes, repair them with free tools and most also have shower lockers, so commuters can freshen up before or after work.
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago, the grid layout of the city makes it one of the USA’s most walkable places to live or visit.
After a tragic history (the Great Chicago Fire left over 100,000 people homeless in 1871), today it’s a positive place transforming itself into a beautiful city (with most streets having wide grass patches and trees to both beautify and keep people away from traffic).
Indeed its motto is the Latin phrase for ‘City in a Garden’. It has over 570 parks and over 8000 acres of parkland, along with 31 sandy beaches and 50 nature areas.
Lincoln Park covers 1200 acres and is almost as popular with visitors as New York’s Central Park. Read more on why we need more public parks.
The Importance of Public Transportation
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is at the heart of this network. It covers the city with an extensive grid of buses and trains.
The ‘L’ train, with its iconic elevated tracks, connects neighbourhoods while providing views of the city’s skyline. Chicago’s buses further fill gaps, ensuring even far-flung areas stay connected.
A well-run transit system isn’t just good for commuters; it boosts the economy too. Chicago’s efficient transport supports local businesses by bringing in customers and employees.
It levels the playing field, offering an affordable travel option for all, creating opportunities across the board.
Of course, not everything runs smoothly. Chicago’s public transport faces issues like ageing infrastructure and peak-time crowding.
But there’s hope. Investment in modernisation, along with tech solutions like real-time tracking, could address these challenges and keep the system moving.
Walkability and Urban Design
Take a stroll through Chicago’s neighbourhoods, and you’ll find areas perfect for walkers. Zones like the Loop or Lincoln Park offer a blend of shops, parks, and eateries, all within a leisurely walk. These areas promote walking over driving, making them vibrant and lively.
A city’s design nudges us towards certain travel choices. Chicago’s grid layout, wide pavements, and plentiful crossings make walking easy. This design encourages sustainable travel habits, cutting car use and improving air quality.
The advent of Uber, Lyft, and micro-mobility options like scooters has added a new layer to travel. These services fill gaps left by public transport, offering quick and easy alternatives for short trips across the city.
