The reasons are many and varied: to mitigate climate change, pollution, traffic congestion and infrastructure costs, and to improve health and wellbeing.
But in New Zealand, despite efforts by governments, councils and individuals, sustained increases in the use of alternative modes of transport remain elusive.
Often this is a result of policies being implemented in isolation. The challenge, therefore, is to develop a more cohesive approach to transport planning, based on research, and applied appropriately depending on the context.
One recent example of how this can succeed is documented in a four-yearly survey conducted by the University of Canterbury to identify travel trends among staff and students.
Read the article by UC Human Geography Professor Simon Kingham and Sustainability Manager Matt Morris on The Conversation: Getting people out of their cars is possible with the right plans and policies – case study
Disclosure statement
Simon Kingham is Chair of the University of Canterbury Sustainable Transport Reference Group.
Matt Morris does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
