Promoting Walking and Cycling: New Perspectives on Sustainable Travel

Description

Promoting walking and cycling proposes solutions to one of the most pressing problems in contemporary British transport planning. The need to develop more sustainable urban mobility lies at the heart of energy and environmental policies and has major implications for the planning of cities and for the structure of economy and society. However, most people feel either unable or unwilling to incorporate travel on foot or by bike into their everyday journeys. This book uses innovative quantitative and qualitative research methods to examine in depth, and in an international and historical context, why so many people fail to travel in ways that are deemed by most to be desirable. It proposes evidence-based policy solutions that could increase levels of walking and cycling substantially. This book is essential reading for planners and policy makers developing and implementing transport policies at both national and local levels, plus researchers and students in the field of mobility, transport, sustainability and urban planning.

Colin Pooley is Professor of Social and Historical Geography in The Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK. His research focuses on the social geography of Britain and continental Europe since the 1800s, with recent projects focused on residential migration, travel to work and other aspects of everyday mobility including walking and cycling. He has published 12 books and over 100 journal articles and book chapters on these topics.

"This pioneering book is much needed, as it calls for a new understanding of travel and a real engagement with people and policy makers so that effective actions can be taken that will transform the quality of the urban environment." Professor David Banister, Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford, UK "This book addresses one of the major lifestyle challenges of our age - how to embed sustained and sustainable mobility within community and society. The learning assembled will be essential to the effective design and implementation of policies and interventions." Dr Andy Cope, Research and Monitoring Unit, Sustrans