Calming the car: 5 European cities leading the way

Author: Lucy Purdy / Source: Positive News

Is it the end of the car age? From Denmark to Spain, five cities that are urging residents to opt out of automobile-use

1. Wheely Good – Copenhagen

More than half of people in the Danish capital cycle to work each day. Why? Copenhagen started introducing pedestrian-only zones in the city centre in the 1960s, and expanded from there.

The city now boasts more than 200 miles of bike lanes and Lord Mayor Frank Jensen has proposed a ban on new diesel cars from 2019.

2. Adios Autos – Madrid

Madrid’s mayor, Manuela Carmena, announced in 2016 that the city’s six-lane main avenue – Gran Via – will be made out of bounds to private cars by 2019. Only bikes, buses and taxis will be allowed to use it. Amid fears over air pollution, the Spanish capital also plans to banish all diesel cars by 2025.