Smart Transport Conference launches micro

At the Smart Transport Conference yesterday, Trudy Harrison MP parliamentary under secretary for the Department for Transport, committed to a post pandemic recovery will NOT be car lead.

This was music to our ears. Which did make us wonder about what Boris Johnson MP, the Prime Minister last week was promising an electric car charging unit to every new home. We need fewer cars including EV cars and more micromobility.

The new transport model, according Harrison MP must be lead by the need of passengers. Rather than car lead.

“We are choosing a transport system fit for the future – a future of world class public transport infrastructure, green travel, accessible to all and the ability to choose from a range of shared, clean green forms of travel,” said the Member of Parliment for Cumbria.

Harrison went on: "As a major carbon emitter, the transport sector has a major role to play in decarbonising as the country ‘builds back better’ from the pandemic, providing cleaner, cheaper travel than the congestion and pollution associated with car traffic".

While Pedal Me's CEO discussed the challenges of regulation of Ebike and cargo bikes.

Ben went on to say:

"Personally would really like to see a regulatory framework, whether all vehicles are not less dangerous than motor vehicles there should be a frame work. Overall, the move to using cargo bikes, even if it was the most cavalier possible move there still is a net gain for safety.

There are a number of safeguards and checks every rider complete safety checkpoints, people on their bikes. "

Mobility as a Service:

This Government’s goal is to integrate these traditional modes of public transport with new on-demand and micromobility travel options to ensure that journey decisions do not automatically default to the private car.

“Mobility as a Service platforms will give people the choice of a range of carbon friendly, public and shared transport options, all access booked and paid for by a seamless user experience. It will bring the same modern-day experience of watching a film, ordering a takeaway or even finding a partner, to how we decide to travel,” said Harrison MP.

This Government's ambition according to Harrison:

Half of all journeys should be by active transport by 2030. To invest £3 billion in bus transport over the course of this parliament, and £96 billion in the rail network.

While Kitt Allwinter, travel policy officer of West Yorkshir gave a thoroughly engaging lecture on the opportuntities in west Yorkshire for a post car world. We have included the slides in this PDF here.