Source: ZAG Daily

More than half (56%) of car commutes to work in England and Wales could be replaced by shared e-bikes or e-scooters, according to CoMoUK, a national shared transport charity. This shift could equate to 7.4 million journeys annually, saving one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions — about 1% of emissions from domestic UK travel.

The findings, published in a report funded by the Foundation for Integrated Transport, explore the untapped potential of shared transport in England and Wales. CoMoUK Chief Executive Richard Dilks identified insufficient funding as the primary obstacle preventing shared transport from achieving these figures.

“The UK gives almost no public subsidy to shared transport, unlike some other nations who are doing much better in this regard,” Richard told Zag Daily. He also highlighted other barriers, such as limited promotion, lack of public awareness, and inadequate prioritization of sustainable transport over private car use.

CoMoUK’s research combines 2021 Census data with insights from shared transport users. By analyzing how many individuals and households share characteristics with current users, the charity estimated the broader potential for shared transport.

For bike share specifically, up to 5.1 million commutes to work could transition from cars to bikes — 39% of all work-related trips in England and Wales. This would reduce carbon emissions by 408 kilotonnes and replace 2.4 billion car kilometers annually.

The report also revealed that 7.2 million households, representing 29% of all households in England and Wales, could feasibly adopt car club memberships. This could reduce car travel by 1.8 billion kilometers each year and remove 1.6 million vehicles from the roads.

CoMoUK’s Recommendations

To unlock the full potential of shared transport, CoMoUK outlined seven key recommendations:

Dedicated funding and policy: Shared transport should be treated as a core element in policymaking and implemented in all UK localities with populations of 100,000 or more.

Policy clarity: The charity urges the government to legalize e-scooters and support small-scale car clubs, particularly in rural areas. Recent developments, such as the launch of England’s Integrated National Transport Strategy, signal progress, but new Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander must continue this momentum.

Integration with public transport: CoMoUK calls for investment in an integrated, sustainable transport network, including a national system of mobility hubs. Shared transport must work in harmony with public transit and active travel options to achieve its potential.

Rural accessibility: Focus on rural areas with suitable infrastructure for e-bikes and e-scooters, ensuring these regions aren’t left behind in shared transport initiatives.

Transport and spatial planning coordination: Align shared transport with broader transport and urban planning policies for seamless implementation.

Financial incentives: Introduce tax breaks, subsidies, and financial incentives to make shared transport more accessible, such as a national “mobility credits” rewards scheme.

Expansion targets: Set measurable goals, benchmarks, and timelines to monitor and drive the growth of shared transport options.

Richard Dilks emphasized that shared transport must become a central part of the UK’s transport strategy. “Embedding it [shared transport] in the existing public transport system, factoring it in alongside active travel options, and also focusing outright on how it can be expanded nationally,” he said.