Eco-friendly alternatives to automobiles

Eco-friendly alternatives to automobiles

The adverse effects of automobiles on the environment bring up the quest for an eco-friendly alternative to automobiles. No doubt, automobiles are beneficial, owning one can help you easily move from one destination to another and improve your quality of life. 

Unfortunately, the intense negative effects that automobiles have on the environment have overshadowed the benefits of owning one. Driving an automobile poses threat to human health through harmful pollutants. Some of these pollutants include carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons as well as other pollutants that cause havoc to the skin, eyes and other organs of the body when inhaled.

These pollutants also harm the environment, pollutants from automobiles destroy natural resources and pollute the air, water, and soil. These pollutants could also lead to global warming. 

With the adverse effects that automobiles have on human health and the environment, it is best and appropriate for us to seek eco-friendly alternatives to automobiles. 

Note that choosing the best eco-friendly means of transportation might be a hard nut to crack because there are numerous factors that we would need to consider notwithstanding, we have compiled three (3) eco-friendly transportation alternatives that we assert to be more eco-friendly than automobiles.

We compiled the best eco-friendly means of transportation for your long-distance and short-distance journeys, these alternatives are safe and less harmful to you and the environment.

Let's start with short-distance transportation alternatives to automobiles.

Cycling 

Bicycles have been in existence for decades, unlike automobiles, bicycles do not need fuel so they don't emit pollutants. Bicycles are one of the most eco-friendly means of transportation, and they are also good for your health.

Generally, bicycles take less space, it is a perfect alternative to automobiles for short-distance trips such as to school, to work, to visit a friend and so on. Cycling is also a good form of exercise. Cycling more would reduce road expansions which would help to preserve animal life and plants. 

As you are reading this blog, you might be wondering if cycling is possible in our modern world. A perfect answer to this is the Netherlands, the Netherlands is known as the cycling nation. There are approximately 23 million bicycles in the nation of 18 million citizens.

The Netherlands' cycling phase started in the 1970s, before the cycling phase there were 100 automobiles to 500 inhabitants. Car ownership was on a rise, traffic was severe as which led to deadly accidents. Over 3,000 people including 500 children were killed by vehicles in 1971. This led to the revolutionary movement called Stop de Kindermoord (Stop the Child Murder).

The oil crisis of 1973 also collided with the movement and these circumstances combined to promote cycling as the Dutch government placed automobile-centric urban planning on hold. Fast forward to today, the Netherlands are benefiting from embracing cycling as an alternative to automobiles.

Book a ride and share a ride 

This is a short-distance and long-distance eco-friendly alternative to automobiles. Technology has made transportation easy. Anyone can easily book a ride or get a ride from ride-sharing services like Lyft. Ride-sharing is convenient, you could access any location you want to and you could book a ride for multiple parties.

For instance, a couple could book a ride to take them to their different workplace which would eliminate the need to take their separate automobiles. Another example is friends could book a ride to see a game, this would eliminate the need for each friend to take their automobile. Aside from booking for multiple parties, you could also choose the type of ride you want to pick you. This is another option on why you should consider ride-sharing apps.

Public transportation

Public transportation is a good way to make our cities eco-friendly. Public transportation allows people to easily move around the city. Most cities operate either buses, subways, and light rails as public transportation. Public transportation will save you from driving in circles in search of a parking space. All you need to do is to take the ride, pay, and step out when you arrive at your destination.

Public transportation is cost-effective and you could also have free time to perform certain tasks when traveling since you are not the one maneuvering the vehicle. Public transportation enables you to enjoy a few minutes of rest and when more people embrace this alternate means of transportation we are going to curtail a large number of automobile pollutants.

If you own a car we want you to consider other eco-friendly and healthy alternatives. It would not only attain your goal of moving from one destination to another but improve our world. When we embrace these eco-friendly alternatives we are going to contribute to a sustainable world.