Car ownership has risen dramatically over the last few decades and this has had a number of negative consequences:

• 20% of the nation's carbon emissions are generated from transport, a lot of this is from single occupancy car journeys

• Obesity, and diseases related to obesity like heart disease and diabetes are increasing every year

• Increased congestion

• Poor air quality

Reducing the need to travel 

Dorset County Council does not want to stop people from driving their cars but urges all residents to think about how and why they travel.  Do you even need to make that trip at all?  Working from home and online shopping are just two simple ways to cut your travel, and you'll save time and money too.

What is sustainable transport?

Some car journeys can be replaced by more sustainable and less harmful ways to travel.  Sustainable transport is transport that minimises harmful impacts on human health and the environment. 

More sustainable options are: 

• Walking

  Walking is a great way to get about, to cut your car use and to fit more exercise into your day.

• Cycling

  Cycling is a great way to get around in Dorset. The cycle network is better than it has ever been and there are a number of tools to make planning your route easier than ever before.

• Carsharing

  Carsharing is where two or more people share a car to travel together. 80% of car journeys carry only one person. Carsharing can be a very good way of reducing peak time congestion, reducing fuel costs and cutting your carbon footprint - where two people share the problem is literally halved!

• Public Transport

  Information on all aspects of public transport including bus, coach and train services, together with community transport facilities available within the county.