On the back cover of this issue, ‘The big picture’ clearly demonstrates what can happen when attempts to decarbonise our urban travel go wrong. App-based bike and scooter hire schemes (like the Santander bikes in London) have been introduced in many cities around the UK, which can provide a convenient, low-carbon addition to public transport options. They are, however, sometimes controversial. Dockless schemes led to complaints about bikes blocking paths and lots of the bikes have ended up vandalised or in canals.
These schemes are an interesting NEA topic as they make a link between the Changing Places and Carbon Cycle topics. There are interesting questions to be asked about the impact of schemes on local areas and on their contribution to carbon reduction. If your area has a hire scheme, you could undertake fieldwork to observe how well used it is and interview users to understand their motivations and experience of place.
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