Is it time to call a halt to the tyranny of the automobile ? Is it time Europe's cities became car-free zones ?

Back to the Europewide debate

Since we have or are running out of space for roads or their expansion, we have to find ways to make roads more efficient. I see 75% of cars used in commuting with only the driver in it. So, if we want to have the luxury of personal transportation, we have to share it where possible, or else the roads system will be come so bogged down that nothing will move.
Andrew Hart, Canada

I'd like to see cars disappear from the inner cities altogether. But I think people need to be persuaded rather than forced to stop driving. Penalising all single-occupant vehicles is too authoritarian and mechanistic. There are situations where a single driver might have a better reason to be driving -- for example, a trip to hospital or some other emergency -- than someone with a full car. The first priority must be to provide a fast, well-integrated and low-cost public transport system, so that driving becomes the least attractive option for daily commuting, business travel and short journeys. Then people will buy fewer cars, and leave their cars at home of their own accord.
Stephanie Warrick, United Kingdom

I'm a believer in the freedom of people to choose whether they want to drive or not and if they want to be alone in their cars or not. I like to drive by myself as it gives me time to think and I can control the climate inside my car by turning on the heat or air-conditioning to my own desires. I could turn on the radio to whatever station I like to listen to be it heavy metal or '70's disco music. I also like being in control of myself. I love the freedom my car gives me.
Chuck Mandus, USA

Present govt policy is now far more anti-car than pro-environment or pro-public transport. The aim is to force drivers from their cars no matter what. This flies in the face of the fact that cars are getting cleaner and projections of a vast escalation in car numbers is hugely overblown. Congestion could be solved by proper (ie more than the token 50m pounds) investment in public transport and also corresponding investment in roads. However, political correctness is forcing drivers to give up their freedom to travel when and where they want to (and need) to travel at the convenience of a public transport operator.
Mark McArthur-Christie, UK

People take for granted the mobility and freedom that car ownership has brought to our society, while at the same time governments have treated car drivers as an easy source of revenue for their coffers. The current level of investment in transport infrastructure is a scandal and things can never improve until government takes a more responsible view of transport policy.
Simon Pickard, Netherlands

Hasn't the message got through yet?? You can hike fuel costs. You can hike insurance tax and premiums. You can put in more of those stupid speed humps. You can introduce crackpot car sharing schemes. But until such time (never!!) that public transport is a more convenient and cheaper alternative to car ownership the car will remain King!! Motorists will always find a way to beat these schemes/humps etc as public transport fares are astronomically high compared to car ownership - and the service sucks!!
Simon Donnelly, England

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