REDUCING CAR USE IN CITIES
Nowadays, there are large numbers of cars on the roads of big cities throughout the world. This is causing serious problems. For example, air pollution from cars damages residents' health and the constant noise harms their quality of life. Moreover, after spending many hours on the road, people often arrive at their workplace too tired to work well. That is why city planners are trying to reduce the use of cars in cities.(lines 1–5)
There are various ways to achieve this goal. In some cities, for instance, drivers are required to pay a fee when they enter busy parts of the city. Other cities create areas where cars are not allowed at all. "These strategies are being used very effectively in several big cities. However, it is usually difficult to introduce them," says sociologist Melissa Benson. "That's because most people don't like to make big changes in their lives. For instance, car owners don't want to lose the freedom to drive through the whole city."(lines 6–11)
However, most residents gradually discover the benefits of car reduction programs. "Good programs offer good alternatives to car use, such as excellent public transport and wide bike paths for cycling. As a result, people can actually travel more quickly and comfortably," says Kevin Rickman, a city planner from London. "In London, we provide these alternatives. And before we even introduced the new program, we used a special advertising campaign to inform residents of all its benefits – cleaner air, faster transport, quieter streets. It worked – people here are happy with the changes."(lines 12–18)
In some cities, car reduction programs are made permanent only if they get the support of most residents. These cities give residents a few months to experience the effect of the programs on their lives. "This is a very helpful strategy," says Rickman. "It can really change people's minds. For example, in 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden, residents got six months to experience a new car reduction program. Before this period, most people objected to the program. But after they experienced its benefits, most of them supported keeping it."(lines 19–24)
According to Rickman, city planners often make changes in car reduction programs after getting feedback from residents. "Sometimes the changes are small and sometimes they can be bigger," he says. "But so far, no program has been completely cancelled. So it seems that most people eventually learn that car reduction is a good idea."(lines 25–28)