Whether getting to Uni in the morning or going on holiday: the way we get around has a direct impact on the planet. Consider alternative ways of travelling that create less negative impact, you might find them more fun.
Travel in the Leeds Area
Travel less
When choosing your house think about the distance to work/Uni/fun and try to shop locally. It isn't always necessary to have to go far out of Leeds to enjoy some greenery: there are plenty of green spaces to explore in the City. But if you fancy a day trip out of Leeds there are an abundance of places that are accessible by bus, train and bike. Go explore and get back in time for dinner! The Leeds-Liverpool canal is a beautiful bike ride and not too strenuous as it’s flat and, with plenty of pubs to choose from, you can stop off wherever takes your fancy.
Change the way you get around
For most journeys you don't really need a car and with fuel prices rising you probably won’t be able to afford it anyway. Everywhere is accessible by walking, cycling or Public Transport; all three are a lot cheaper (the former two being FREE), quicker, healthier, safer, more efficient, more environmentally-friendly AND sociable than driving a car. Another added benefit is that you can easily use all three within one journey. If you really need to use a car and feel like having some interesting conversations try a lift share scheme such as www.liftshare.org, or set up a sharing scheme amongst friends. Or if you are skint and car sharing ain't and option, try hitching. Lots of myth surrounds hitching but if you’re sensible you'll have great time:
Don't go alone. Let a trusted friend know your route before you go. Try not to hitch at night
Getting a lift from petrol stations allows you to suss out the driver beforehand
Campaigns
Critical Mass – Bikeride, self-organised, celebration meet last Friday of the month, 5.30pm, Millenium Sq.
Links
To get a free Leeds Cycling Map try your bike shop or send a stamped, self-addressed A5 envelope to Travelwise, The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington St., Leeds LS2 8HD- www.tinyurl.com/655red
Metro Journey Planner: www.wymetro.com
National Rail enquiries: www.nationalrail.co.uk / Tel: 08457 484 950
Leeds Cycling Action group: www.leedscyclists.org.uk
Bike User Group: www.leeds.ac.uk/leedsbug
Leeds Uni Transport website: www.tinyurl.com/37x42m
Beyond the Leeds Area
Travel less
Consider staying in the UK: there are many diverse places to keep you interested and you can get to them by bus, train, bike or on foot.
Consider planning your trip together with a family or friend visit, or through WWOOFing make yourself useful in exchange for free food and a place to stay..
Changing the way you travel
Tempted by those cheap flights to Europe or even further? Please stop and think about the external environmental and social costs that aren't included in the ticket price. The Tyndall Centre thinks that to meet government CO2 targets of 60% by 2050 would require manufacturing industries and private households to emit no carbon at all to compensate for the growth of the airline industries - even airline industries predict that global passenger numbers could triple by 2050. Therefore incremental increases in fuel efficiency such as those offered by the latest generation of planes probably won't be of much use in the fight against climate change.
The alternative: trains, ferries, coaches, hitching...what’s the rush? The journey can be the best part of any adventure, plus you can meet people and see more of a country.
Links
National Express www.nationalexpress.com
For booking coaches. Also, cheapest place for train tickets. For cheap tickets: book in advance with a YP railcard.
Transport Direct www.transportdirect.info
Government route planner covering all UK public transport.
Megabus & Megatrain www.megabus.com www.megatrain.com
Offer cheap coach & train tickets, £1 Leeds to London!
WWOOF www.wwoof.org.uk
For £15 it lists of farms which provide food and board in exchange for labour (BTCV do something similar)
BTCV- British Trust of Conservation Volunteers www.btcv.org.uk
Couchsurfing www.couchsurfing.com
An alternative to hostels. You stay on a couch for free & meet a local, or provide a couch & meet an backpacker.
Sustrans www.sustrans.or.uk
UK charity looks after cycle paths & online maps of them.
Seat61:www.seat61.com
Explains how to get just about anywhere in Europe and Asia overland or sea. From a train enthusiast.
Tourism Concern www.tourismconcern.org.uk
Explains about some of the impacts of tourism.
