Why does Mobility Matter?

Because life matters.

Whatever we wish to do involves some sort of movement of people or things. We do not travel just to travel, but to make our lives better, make our places better, and even to survive. Mobility is not just about walking, bicycles, cars, buses, trains, trams, planes, ships, helicopters, taxis, scooters, rickshaws, matatus, lorries, vans and any other mode of transport. It is about life, and the world we want to create.

Transport professionals have a huge responsibility.

We help to move nearly 8 billion people, plus billions of tonnes of cargo.

Transport is the third highest source of carbon dioxide emissions by sector.

Transport investment decisions can widen social inequality, or it can reduce them.

Transport can save lives and it can take them.

Transport can stimulate the economy, and it can harm it.

Despite our best efforts to bring order to networks, transport is a highly contested space. It is even a fundamental human right. The world around mobility is changing fast and its full complexity is now being revealed to decision makers.

What Mobility Matters is about

The time for talk is over. If transport is serious about tackling the climate emergency, becoming more just, and becoming safer, it needs to do it.

If you are professional who wants to make a difference, this newsletter will give you the ideas and inspiration to do it. If you are an activist frustrated with the lack of change, this newsletter will give you advice on what to do. If you are a transport nerd, this newsletter will scratch your nerdy itch.

This newsletter is about getting stuff done. No more excuses.

It has a primarily UK focus to it, as the main author is based in the UK. But any contributions that will help our largely global audience are much appreciated.