Introduction

Sustainable mobility needs to be safe and accessible for all users. We will support the commitment to achieve Vision Zero (zero road deaths or serious injuries) on our roads by 2050 by ensuring that our existing and new walking, cycling and public transport networks continue to meet the highest safety standards. Safe road use by all road users will also be fostered through education, training and enforcement measures.

The design of walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as areas in the vicinity of public transport services, are important safety factors. Welldesigned, well-maintained, appropriately-lit, continuous and better integrated infrastructure can help people feel safe and encourage them to choose these options over the private car. We will also continue to support measures to address safety issues when travelling on public transport.

to better facilitate walking, cycling and public transport is required. The overarching objective in urban centres should be to focus more on the movement of people rather than the movement of the private car.

Modal shift will not be achieved if demand for transport is not managed effectively and we will put in place measures to support this. This Policy aims to make sure that active travel and public transport options are the preferred choice for as many people as possible.

Expanding walking and cycling options to promote greater use of active travel can support our climate targets to reduce emissions as well as improving fitness levels and public health, and reducing congestion and private car use. Diverting short car trips to active modes will have a particular benefit in reducing air pollution to which short car trips disproportionately contribute due to the ‘cold start’ effect12.

Five high-level goals have been developed to help us deliver this principle.

Safe and Green Mobility

Goals

Alongside this, expanding public transport capacity and services and moving our public transport fleets to low and zero emission vehicles will enable people to make the switch towards more sustainable modes of travel and reduce car dependency. Transport needs are not uniform across the country and we recognise that tailored solutions will be needed for both urban and rural areas.

1. Improve mobility safety.

2. Decarbonise public transport.

3. Expand availability of sustainable mobility in metropolitan areas.

There is a need to rebalance transport movement in metropolitan areas and other urban centres away from the private car and towards active travel and public transport. This will require a greater allocation of available road/street space to be given to sustainable mobility. In addition, a rebalancing of traffic light signalling at junctions

4. Expand availability of sustainable mobility in regional and rural areas.

5. Encourage people to choose sustainable mobility over the private car.

12 During the first minutes of starting a car, if engine block and coolant temperatures are low, incomplete combustion results in higher emissions than at ordinary operating temperatures.

National Sustainable Mobility Policy | Principle 1: Safe and Green Mobility