Over the years, cycling has been proven to be the cleanest and most efficient mode of transportation, which explains the increasing demand to further develop its sustainability (Tripodi 2015, p. 143). Bike sharing systems have provided a means of transportation in dense cities with their minor infrastructure requirements and promise of a cleaner future. Public bicycle programs have grown in popularity in recent years because of their initiatives to increase cycle usage, the benefit of connectivity without the troubles of personal vehicles, and the decrease of environmental impacts as a result of our transport activities (DeMaio 2009, p. 41). The original concept of these systems had many flaws, but as technology has developed to improve the tracking system, rapid expansion continues throughout Europe and across the globe. With growing climate change and the dependence on oil becoming more of a problem, people are beginning to look towards more responsible ways of living (Vidalis, et al. 2010, p. 1). Driving less is one of the easiest ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint, and is a key factor in the success surrounding increased cycling. In the U.S., over 50 percent of all car trips are five miles or less (Vidalis, et al. 2010, p. 3). By cutting down on unnecessary car trips, the release of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and lead could be drastically reduced in larger cities. The environmental benefits, along with the health aspect
Three quarters of emissions in 2004 were coming from road traffic (Woodcock, p.1930, 2009). Emissions used from transportation are forecasted to increase from the year 2007-2030 by about 80% according to studies done by James Woodcock who is currently studying climate change and health from car fuels (Woodcock, p.1930, 2009). This is due to the fact that the emissions from vehicles are increasing significantly and are higher than any other energy fragment (Woodcock, p.1930, 2009). The only way to lower this percentage is to decrease the number of individual automobiles on the road and increase the number of public transit systems, starting long distance walking to work or school, carpooling or even biking to destinations. These principles would
Pertaining to the “day without cars” tradition the city of Bogota, Columbia : “It has seen the construction of 118 bicycle paths, the most of any Latin American city…” (Belsky, 3) A single day without cars has encouraged not only, new businesses to spring up and infrastructure to be improved but also physical activity to become more common in countries that implement such a tradition. In my own experience, a less sedentary lifestyle means lower risk of heart disease, obesity, and other weight and activity related ailments. In addition car usage reduction seems to lessen stress, a claim that mother of two, Heidrun Walter testifies to. “ ‘When I had a car I was always tense. I’m much happier this way.’...” (Rosenthal 1). This is a benefit that cannot be ignored as higher stress levels can take a toll on your mental health. Last but certainly not least, is the fact that less smog will discourage the pollution-induced respiratory illnesses permeating the developed world. Polluted air is not meant to be breathed and less of it is better for the whole of the
It is never easy to do good for the society. It comes with many complications. Money, effort, oppositions. It is never easy and especially to do it in New york city, the centre of all economic opportunities, just makes it even more difficult. It all started in 2006, under the leadership of former mayor, Michael Bloomberg, when “the city planning department conducted a survey of city bicycle commuters and recreational cyclists in 2006”( Lyon 4) to see the feasibility of NYC city bike share program. The main intention or rather the main motive for introducing a bike share program was to “maximise efficiency of existing mass
Los Angeles County ranks among the 10% worst air quality polluters in the US. The hustle and bustle of public transportation and smog released by an over-populated commuter based region, have significantly lowered air quality standards. Henceforth, health concerns have risen for all Angelinos. Research has observed that there is a serious influx of pollutants in the air that could have damaging results both on adults and children alike. However, different forms of renewable energy over the years have facilitated an alternative to this issue. A movement away from an urban sprawl Los Angeles to new urbanism has allotted us better living and breathing conditions over the last several years.
In recent years, major cities across the globe have developed innovative new methods of transportation that could revolutionize the way humans travel and ultimately replace automobiles throughout the industrialized world. Many supporters of this movement believe restricting the use of cars will have a positive impact on society as a whole. Some people believe that taking away automobiles is preposterous given the gravity of which citizens depend on them; although true, replacing cars would have significant benefits throughout society that would outweigh this consequence and ultimately create a new global social order. Restricting cars in cities and encouraging alternate methods of transportation would reduce humans’ carbon footprint, make cities
Some families have two or three cars, or even one person has two or three cars. The air is polluted because of too much gasoline that people use every day. In order to protect our environment, people should use public transportation instead of using cars. This way not only decrease a pollution but also it can decrease traffic jams in the high
Traffic congestion is a major disadvantage in largely populated cities which can be diminished by limiting car usage. “...pitted sidewalks have been replaced by broad, smooth sidewalks; rush-hour restrictions have dramatically cut traffic...” (Source 3). The reduction of car usage has lowered the number of traffic jams and atmospheric pollution. High percentages of smog can cause harmful effects to the human body and the reduction of cars can aid in improving the health of the inhabitants of these cities and lessening the dangerous living conditions.
Increasing air pollution from cars has been linked to lung disease, heart attacks, and cancer, air pollution is responsible for 6.4 million deaths every year (“Health Impacts Of Air Pollution”). Besides climate affects prolonged commuting time also has consequences for our health. The average length of commute in the United States is 35 minutes one way (“Commuting Times, Median Rents and Language other than English Use in the Home on the Rise”), in smaller cities such as Portland Oregon the commute is 26.6 minutes and in larger cities such as New York it can be over 45 minutes (Average Commute Lengths). A study from psychology today found that “the ride to work is also associated with increased blood pressure, musculoskeletal problems, lower frustration tolerance, and higher levels of anxiety and hostility. It can cause bad moods when arriving at work and coming home, increased lateness and missed work, and impaired cognitive performance” (Wei). More cars mean more traffic, forcing drivers to leave home earlier, arrive home later, and spend prolonged amounts of time in sitting in congestion. Urban sprawl has also been associated with low levels of physical activity, due to the lack of sidewalks, fewer places to go to such as restaurants and stores (Frumkin). Low levels of physical activity have several adverse health effects such as lowered bone density, lifespan and increased chance of heart disease. This idea
If the public transportation improves, more and more people would take buses instead of driving. Then there would be less CO2 for our environment. Mohammad-Beigi, Nouri and Liaghati (2015) claim that the population in large cities is growing very fast, which means that transportation needs also increase really fast which leads to environmental problems. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, improving public transportation is a good solution. This study shows that driving cars really causes air pollution and it is harm for our environment. Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona, so the population growth in Phoenix will lead to the same problem that the three author mentioned. Improving public transportation will be helpful in decreasing the number of drivers and therefore reducing toxic emission. According to the PR Newswire Europe Improving public transportation in Brasilia (2009) claim public transportation is good because buses are more orderly, and they are safer and have less impact on the environment. It also shows that public transportation can help to reduce air pollution. Phoenix is an urban city like Brasilia, so it has a similar situation. Improving public transportation would be a good solution because it will lead to less driving. Then we will reduce exhaust gas
The authors Elliot Fishman, Simon Washington, and Narelle Haworth looked for a solution to our sustainable transportation. Three of them are currently the professor in Queensland University, Australia. Dr. Elliot Fishman graduated from Queensland university on 2014 and he has been working on many publications and projects. Prof. Simon Washington graduated from UC Davis with civil engineering as his major degree. Throughout his career, he has already working in Arizona state university and UC Berkeley as a professor there. Prof. Narelle Haworth was graduated from Monash University where she has been focusing on many research about road safety for more than 25 years. The author’s main goal of this research is to prove that the bike share is actually
One of the many advantages of limiting car use is it’s better for the environment. In Elisabeth Rosenthals “In German Suburbs, Life Goes On Without Cars” she says that cars are responsible for fifty percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. In some places like Paris they have had to temporarily ban the use of cars on certain days to try and reduce the smog in the air because near record pollution caused by cars (Source 2) was becoming such a huge
Cycling is a healthy means of transport, and can lead to an increase in physical and mental health. Bike share offers an active transport choice, thus improving the health of the residents. Studies have shown that spending twenty minutes every day on a bike has a significant positive impact on mental health (Obis 2011). Improvements in mental health have persistently been linked to an increase in work productivity – an important factor to keep in mind at an educational institution. As cycling is a sustainable transportation option, the university’s implementation of a bike share system to support cycling would maintain its standard as a “green” or innovative
& reflects both the ecofriendly of the country” An average of 36% of all travel to work & school was made by bike in order to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2025 (Environmental Administration 2011)
Growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, I rarely saw people cycling, especially not on main roads. In 2015, however, I moved to Hamilton, Ontario, and started school at McMaster University where I saw that cycling was the preferred method of transportation by many. Throughout my first year at McMaster, I lived in an on-campus dorm, and everything that I needed was within walking distance. This year, however, I am residing in an off-campus student house located a 20-minute walk from campus, leading me to search for faster ways to get to school. I realized that the two options I had were either to take public transit or to cycle. Since I don’t like waiting for buses and dealing with their unreliable schedules, I decided that looking into cycling to school would be an appropriate solution for me, which is where my interest in bicycles and cycling began.
Being lazy is a great thing because so much time is saved. Time may be saved, but in exchange, the environment gets destroyed instead. Driving a car to work may be faster, but it also destroys the environment so much faster. Biking to the store serves the same purpose and it saves the environment greatly. Cars are a huge contributor to global warming. Cars and trucks combined are responsible for one-fifth of all US emissions. They release about 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global warming gases for every gallon of gas used (Union of Concerned Scientists). About five pounds of those gases come from production, extraction, and delivery of gasoline. More than 19 pounds are released per gallon from a car's tailpipe (Union of Concerned Scientists). 1.2 billion cubic yards of polluted air is from manufacture. Painting and coating cars produces 40 million pounds of air releases and 24 million pounds of hazardous waste a year. A car's lifetime produces 1.3 billion cubic yard of polluted air and scatters 40 pounds of worn tire particles, brake debris, and worn road surface into the atmosphere (Bike to Work Day). Pollutants released a year add up to over 12,140 lbs for cars and 17,000 for light trucks. Some of those pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides (Bike to Work Day). By choosing to bike or walk instead of drive, the amount of gases and waste contributing to global warming, drops drastically. Choosing to drive instead of taking a greener form of transportation is a great threat to the environment.