The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) has called on the government to support the growing range of mobility options to improve the urban environment.

The trade body wants the government to consider the different urban environments that people travel in and the needs of those making journeys. It said more must be done to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

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“Most visions of future urban mobility show leafy, virtually car-free streets full of people walking, cycling and using public transport,” said Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the BVRLA. “This is an exciting future, but how do we get there from today’s situation, where, even in London, the car remains the most popular single mode of travel.

“Our towns and cities need a more intelligent, sustainable use of the car. Promoting the use of car rental, car clubs and other flexible types of car use can make that happen.”

In the BVRLA’s Cars in the City report, the trade body offers some recommendations that local and national policymakers can use to help forge such change, including:

  • Providing more long-term certainty and financial support through transport funding and motoring taxation. These must give local authorities the budgets to invest in future mobility solutions and taxpayers the incentives to change their journey choices
  • Promoting the roll-out of Mobility Credits in Clean Air Zone areas, which will drive behaviour change and support those hit hardest by the need to upgrade their vehicles

This strategy, according to the BVRLA, can result in fewer vehicles sitting idle on the kerbside, more electric vehicles on the streets and more affordable transport options for families and businesses struggling with the impending cost of Clean Air Zone compliance.

“Our towns and cities are the economic heartland of the UK and are experiencing rapid population growth, which is why policymakers have made future urban mobility such a priority,” added Keaney.

“All our research demonstrates that ultra-low emission cars, used intelligently, are a vital part of delivering this vision.”