How long do we spend in our cars getting into Belfast for work?
According to Inrix and TomTom, commuters in Belfast lose between 158 to 190 hours a year to congestion.
To put that in context the average person is losing nearly 5% of their time awake every year in congestion or the ability to watch all eight seasons of Game of Thrones, twice!
There is also the issue of what petrol and diesel cars are doing to our health.
A recent report, Cities Outlook 2020, showed Belfast to have had seven days in 2018 when air quality “can affect adults and children with lung or heart problems” but these are an average for the city and centre - as a whole areas could have air quality so poor that these people are affected every day!
In Belfast, we also have the second highest amount of PM 2.5 (particles that are 2.5 microns or less) per person in the UK.
These particles can go deep into the lungs and cause/exacerbate lung issues even further, or can cause them.
"But driving is quicker for me?"
But is it? If we assume an average commute of 10 miles per day (five miles each way):
It looks as if taking the car is only a little quicker than cycling and walking but without the added benefits of burning calories, and not contributing to CO2 emissions (a saving of ½ tonne CO2 per year in this scenario).
Let’s say you have no other option than to take a car. Look around next time you see a queue of traffic, how many people are travelling by themselves? The simple thing to do is take others with you.
"But it isn’t safe to cycle around Belfast"
Cycling around Belfast has improved dramatically over the last number of years with dedicated cycle lanes and the opening of a number of greenways, making it much easier to get around. You are 25 times more likely to be at risk of suffering an injury in a car than on a bicycle in Northern Ireland.
In addition, if you cycle instead of taking your car or public transport you not only save up 10 kg CO 2 per week but burn nearly 2,000 extra calories a week!
"But public transport is too expensive!"
The fuel required for the journey via car is approximately the same as travelling by public transport (14 p/mile versus 12 p/mile) without taking into account parking and other running expenses of a car.
In addition, public transport in Belfast is becoming even more environmentally friendly with hydrogen fuel cell buses and the hybrid Glider.
If you change your transport method you can not only save time, money and the environment but you can also burn calories rather than burning fossil fuels.
If it is that simple, you can #Do1Thing.
