Source: https://www.climate-kic.org/opinion/cities-must-act-as-beacons-for-ambitious-climate-action/
Cities are a critical player in effective climate action, and many are already making headway where others are falling behind.
Will cities ultimately be viewed as the cause or solution to the global climate emergency? That seems to be the crossroads at which we now find ourselves, and it is a question which is either troubling or inspiring for city planners and mayors alike.
Cities are huge contributors to climate change, responsible for about 70 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions and yet they are also at the frontline of the impacts of floods, extreme heat and drought.
Research by scientists at the Crowther Lab predicted that 77 per cent of cities around the world will experience dramatic change in climate conditions over the next 30 years.
For us, the most effective response begins by helping cities embrace the essential role they play. Cities are a critical player in effective climate action,
- Continue reading – – > https://www.climate-kic.org/opinion/cities-must-act-as-beacons-for-ambitious-climate-action/
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About the World Streets Climate program coordinator:
Eric Britton
13, rue Pasteur. Courbevoie 92400 France
Bio: Founding editor of World Streets (1988), Eric Britton is an American political scientist, teacher, occasional consultant, and sustainability activist who has observed, learned, taught and worked on missions and advisory assignments on all continents. In the autumn of 2019, he committed his remaining life work to the challenges of aggressively countering climate change and specifically greenhouse gas emissions emanating from the mobility sector. He is not worried about running out of work. Further background and updates: @ericbritton | http://bit.ly/2Ti8LsX | #fekbritton | https://twitter.com/ericbritton | and | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbritton/ Contact: climate@newmobility.org) | +336 508 80787 (Also WhatApp) | Skype: newmobility.)
WORLD STREETS __ A New Mobility Action Plan for 2022 
“Instead, city leaders are looking for something faster and potentially more transformative.”
Cities can transform transportation, making every day almost a Car Free Day, by removing the convenience of the personal car while simultaneously providing a replacement behavior. That simple behavioral change, reduction of personal car convenience through on-street parking elimination, is replaced by the convenience of multi-passenger shared taxis and TNCs. This approach uses many carrots and only one stick with the following features:
No on-street parking (the stick). This reduces car convenience and frees up half of on-street parking for bike lanes.
One-Way streets (optional…decreases number of left hand turns)
Bicycle lanes interconnected throughout the city on one side of the street, the left side A, with an optional thin curb to protect the bicycle lanes.
On the right side B, buses and taxis / TNCs have loading zones. Side B also allows permitted parking for service and delivery vehicles.
Shared taxis and TNCs mandated by cities. ALL taxis / TNCs accept passengers up to maximum capacity and are constantly dropping off and picking up passengers.
Shared Taxis / TNCs mainly, but not exclusively, serve first and last mile and connect to public transit.
Public transit converts to forms of Bus Rapid Transit or Express service.
Fares are served through cards such as the S.F. Bay Area’s Clipper card.
Shared Taxis / TNCs convert to alternative fuel or electric vehicles and bike carriers.
Some car garages convert to bike garages.
Shared taxis and TNCs are more reliable, affordable and convenient than a personal car.
Reduced speeds.
Just transition for all.
One powerful advantage of shared taxis / TNCs is that they don’t need on-street parking, rather they need access to loading (pick-up and drop-off) and storage (with electric charging stations) when not in operation. Shared taxis / TNCs rely on directionality to enhance their efficiency, that is, they accept passengers if they are going in the same general direction. They are completely flexible and can respond to needs as they arise. Generally, they’re not door- to- door service, instead, they drop passengers close enough ( within easy walking distance) to their destinations. The supply and demand of shared taxis / TNCs needs to be carefully calibrated to ensure their reliability and convenience. Another important advantage is the fact that conversion to this system is relatively “shovel ready” and capable of providing jobs which are critical for a stable society.
Imagine if shared taxis / TNCs could transport 100 times the number of passengers that app-based and traditional taxis currently serve. If the public adapted to this transportation alternative then it would be possible to see a rapid radical reduction in VMTs, increase in alternative electric transportation, increase in bike usage, and increased connectivity.