London charging ahead

Congestion charging scheme and Paris’s free bikes share US award

Porsche drivers and mums in 4x4s on the school run might loathe both him and it, but Ken Livingstone’s congestion charge keeps winning plaudits. Impressed by its accompanying 45% rise in bus ridership, and the 43% increase in those using bicycles within the charge zone, the US-based Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has now picked out the scheme in its 2008 Sustainable Transport Award – together with Paris’s provision of over 15,000 freedom bikes to boost cycling in the city [GF65, ‘Bicyclette breakout’].

The award is given every year to the city that makes an outstanding contribution to enhancing sustainability within its area or communities. The January announcement praised city leaders across the world for taking politically risky strategies in the pursuit of greenhouse gas emission reductions. As joint winners, London and Paris edged out competition from the likes of the bus rapid transit schemes in Guatemala City and Eugene, Oregon – reinforced in the latter case by the use of hybrid buses and the building of parallel cycle lanes.

The IDTP assists cities in introducing sustainable transport policies, and has particular current interests in the liveability of city centres and the issue of transport to and from healthcare. It also supports the growth of cycle and rickshaw schemes, backed by quality engineering, affordable credit and education about maintenance. – Iain Aitch

25 March 2008

Iain Aitch