We launched Green Transport Week in 1993 to raise awareness about how travel affects our lives, not to mention the environment. Thirty years later, the issue has never been more important.
Not only is transport contributing significantly to the climate crisis, but air pollution kills over 4 million people. Year in. Year out.
At a local level here in the UK, our dependence on cars paralyses our towns and cities and creates road danger for those on bicycles or on foot. The problem is made worse by the fact 25 per cent of car trips are less than one mile, and 71% are under 5 miles.
The tide is slowly turning. Local authorities have introduced low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) while others have embraced tactical urbanism in a bid to drive change. In London, mayor Sadiq Khan has been re-elected having expanded the ULEZ clean air zone.
Green Transport Week 2024 takes place in the last week of June. We encourage everyone to spend a little time reflecting on their travel choices. And if you’re able to walk or cycle any trips you might have otherwise driven, so much the better.
There was a time when learning to drive and buying a first car was a rite of passage, but in the age of e-scooters, e-bike share schemes and Uber, there has been a marked drop in car ownership among young people over the last generation.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to try an e-bike, why not enter our prize draw to win one? It’s quick, easy and free. Simply get an instant quote for ETA cycle insurance and you’ll be entered automatically.
A cleaner, safer transport future
Every time you buy cycle insurance, breakdown cover or mobility scooter insurance from us, you help us promote a cleaner, safer transport future. Projects range from nationwide, awareness-raising events such as Green Transport Week to viral online campaigns and the production of documentary films.
Recent highlights include:
World’s first pedal-powered parklet
We designed, built and delivered the public the world’s first pedal-powered parklet. A parklet is a small seating area that reclaims a car parking space on behalf of the community – our version can be towed into place by an electric cargo bike. The little parklet was visited by over 10,000.
Stop Killing our Children
Our documentary Stop Killing our Children examines how road danger damages us all, whatever our age and however we travel, and questions our collective blindness to both its cause and remedy.
The 40-minute, crowdfunded film is narrated by the BBC’s John Simpson and features interviews with Chris Boardman, Dr Rachel Aldred, George Monbiot and the founders of the Stop de Kindermoord movement amongst others.
Community engagement
We have worked with local authorities to help fix people’s bikes, promote local cycling facilities and give travel plan advice.
Safer crossings for schools
Every child has the right to cross to school in safely. Our campaign to ensure that every school can get a safe crossing includes our pop-up zebra crossing. We visit schools who have unsuccessfully applied for a safe crossing with our inflatable design. This always generates positive local media coverage, which helps put pressure on local authorities.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
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