Veloviews for January 5, 2024 – Urban Mobility Readiness: Europe Still Leads the Way

Does the place where you live in America or some other part of the world have good and affordable public transportation (buses, taxis, EV vehicle support), bike lanes, trains, trams, or trolleys? Or is it still struggling to implement these alternative modes of transportation? 

Maybe you live in a place that has none of the above? Either way, a study released by the Oliver Wyman Forum shows how cities worldwide are responding to the global climate crisis, specifically the installation of transportation options for their residents.

The Focus of the Study

Today the Urban Mobility Readiness ratings index was released for 2023/ 2024. It focuses on 65 cities around the world. Cities were rated on their preparedness for (and investments in) alternative forms of transportation that are making an impact now and how they will make an impact in the future (in other words, their overall sustainability).

Specifically, this study reflects on those cities in the world that are already focused on sustainable transportation options. These cities either already offer options or are taking strides to improve on what they already have in place. The study doesn’t really account for cities that are in the planning stages or development stages.

Europe Once Again Leads The Way

While the index, as already mentioned, looked at 65 cities around the world, it is Europe that had the largest number of cities that performed best. That probably has to do with the fact the continent continues to use (and improve upon) its transportation options, some of which have been in place for over a century (if not longer).

In fact, of the top ten cities in this long list, eight of them are European. Surprisingly, only one American city (San Francisco) and a country in Asia (Singapore) are the only non-European standouts. The cities in the top ten are as follows:

• Amsterdam
• Stockholm
• San Francisco (United States)
• Munich
• Singapore (Asia)
• Zurich
• Paris
• Copenhagen
• Berlin

It’s important to note that in terms of cycling infrastructure, countries that always score high for that specific transportation mode are listed here: the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. However, other European cities didn’t score as well, such as Rome and London, and large cities in the United States, such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Houston also did not do as well.

The European City at the Top of the List

Surprisingly, the city that topped the index’s list was Helsinki, Finland. The city is the most highly populated urban area in the country. In fact, 12% of the country’s inhabitants live there with an overall population of 1,576,438. That statistic certainly doesn’t show it to be one of the largest cities in the world.

Despite that fact, Finland and the city of Helsinki, continue to invest in its urban transportation alternatives. The Urban Mobility Index even points out how Helsinki “boasts car-free zones, large investments in EV charging infrastructure, advanced cycling infrastructure, and an expanding public transit network with new light rail and tram projects. Increasing public transit offerings is just one way Helsinki… [attempts] to boost ridership: It also makes it affordable with a roughly $3 ticket that allows commuters to ride on any mode of transport.”

Last Thoughts

Implementing changes, upgrades, or even installing new transportation alternatives in cities worldwide in response to the threat of climate change is no small thing. These changes are expensive and these world cities are moving as fast as they can to put them in place despite governmental resistance and budgetary roadblocks.

And even though many cities fell outside the top ten, that doesn’t mean they are sitting on their hands. Some of these cities are implementing and installing transportation upgrades piece by piece. Again, this comes down to economic and governmental factors. 

That said, I think the future shows promise when large urban areas respond to environmental concerns. It remains to be seen if these changes will make an impact soon and in the future, but my fingers are crossed in the hope they will.

Enjoy the first weekend of the new year everyone!!!