Car-sick - solutions for our car-addicted culture

This book describes car-dependent society and sets forward the reasons for change. These include intimidation of other road users, the link between car ownership and obesity, loss of local services increasing car dependency, loss of social contact in communities, the effects of road traffic accidents, the risk of global warming from exhaust emission, and traffic congestion. It is argued that car use could be markedly reduced to those trips where there is no practical alternative such as carrying heavy loads or disabled people. It is suggested that an alternative already exists for 40% of car trips, without any costly changes. A further 40% of trips could be made by public transport if this was improved. Short trips in particular could often be made by cycling or walking. Trips outside urban areas were excluded from the analysis but in some rural areas, there is still good potential to reduce car use. Recommendations for changing the modal split include better information on public transport, changing drivers' attitudes, setting up safer routes to school/walking buses, bicycle training, workplace travel plans, improved public transport accessibility, improving bus services including newer vehicles, a better image for the bus service, demand-responsive buses, home zones to encourage cycling, more cycle paths and covered cycle parking at bus stops. The development of the Sustrans network of cycle paths in the UK and the London Cycling Campaign are described. The link between town planning and modal spit is explained. The lack of will of the political system to tackle transport, examples of people managing without a car, and the future are also considered.