Urban areas urged to tackle social exclusion

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) stresses that public transport is key to reconnecting socially excluded citizens to the social and economic structures of society and should be included in any policies addressing social exclusion. 

Sustrans, a UK sustainable transport NGO, agrees that public transport is important but stresses that the EU should clearly establish a "road-user hierarchy", placing pedestrians and cycling at the top of transport policy. "A shift to non-motorised transport will not only address policy objectives related to transport but also in areas such as climate change, public health and obesity; social inclusion and community cohesion, and energy security," it stresses. 

"In the past, urban transport policy has been dominated by the desire to facilitate mobility (the ability to travel) rather than accessibility (the access to the goods and services which are the motives which encourage people to travel). This has resulted in longer and longer journey distances, ever-increasing motor traffic levels, and a very wide range of negative side-effects. By increasing levels of walking and cycling within urban areas, urban transport policy can make a vital contribution to social cohesion, neighbourhood revitalisation and community well-being," it adds. 

A UK cycling federation adds that encouraging "cycle-friendly policies" would increase mobility for people who do not have access to a car, or who cannot afford the costs associated with running one. "Cycling is a cost-effective form of travel, the main expenditure being the bike purchase price. However, this initial outlay is a considerable expense for those in lower income brackets. Governments could encourage bicycle purchase by zero-rating or cutting the level of VAT paid on bicycles," it suggests. 

A report from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which represents more that 43 million motoring consumers, states: "For those of us who believe that the car provides many positive benefits to society it is doubly important that we do not forget those for whom those advantages do not flow, people who are locked out of the car society and also very often bear the disproportionate brunt of the negative impacts of the car on their human environment." It highlighted the poor recognition of this problem up to now and the unco-ordinated and 'piecemeal' policy responses that the issue has received.