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Forget tea, bangers, and bad teeth: Britain's new legacy may be its
progressive steps toward sustainability. The success of former Mayor
Livingstone's carbon tax program in London has made major headway for publicizing problematic emissions and raising eco-awareness. In the private sector, Sustrans, a charitable organization, is making a case for
sustainable transport that encourages both good health and a healthy
planet (thus, walking, cycling, and getting out of the car). Sustrans
endeavors to implement "practical, innovative ways of dealing with the
transport challenges that affect us all."
The charity isn't full of hippie hot air; their impact is real.
Sustrans founded the National Cycle Network, which boasts 10,000 miles
of bike paths that support 230 million journeys every year. The
organization is working to increase the number of journeys by
encouraging more people to walk or bike with their Travel Smart UK
program, which educates the public on how to travel (and function)
sans car.
According to Sustrans, only 2% of students in the UK bike to school,
but 33% would like to. (See: So Fat It's Normal for the US Equivalent)
The charity's "Bike It" program endeavors to increase that number by
getting kids on their bikes--and assuaging their parents' fear of
bogeymen.
Sustrans is also striving to improve and prettify public spaces with
art, drinking fountains, and mileposts throughout the Network.
Sustrans works with policy makers to see that their plans for a
sustainable future don't fall by the wayside. The charity helps to
implement ped-friendly legislation, support liveable neighborhoods,
and create safe routes to schools.
The £50 Million awarded to Sustrans in December for their Connect2 project will certainly help them to push their agenda along.
Photos via flickr by Karenwithack and BikePortland.org.
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