London’s ambitious goal of encouraging its residents to transition away from cars towards greener forms of transportation may be in jeopardy. According to Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, the city is expected to miss a critical milestone in its mission. The target, set by Mayor Sadiq Khan in his 2018 transport strategy, aims for 80 percent of all trips within London to be made on foot, by bicycle, or using public transport by 2041.
However, officials at City Hall now anticipate that the capital will fall short of the interim target set for 2030, making the ultimate goal even more challenging to achieve. Currently, the mix of journeys in London stands at 61.5 percent using greener modes of transportation.
Closing the gap between the current figure and the 2030 target of 69.3 percent is the highest priority for city officials. Deputy Mayor Dance addressed the Assembly’s transport committee, emphasizing the need to bridge this shortfall. He also highlighted that certain areas within the city have already exceeded expectations, such as the City of London, where 98 percent of trips are made by foot, bicycle, or public transport.
London’s struggle to meet its green transport goals reflects the challenges faced by many urban areas in promoting sustainable mobility. As the city works towards a more environmentally friendly future, innovative solutions and ongoing efforts will be necessary to increase the adoption of greener transportation options among Londoners.