the journeys we undertake really do make us happier? When travel is really contributing to our lives, we can at any rate choose the least GHG-intensive form of transport available – preferably bike or foot, or public transport rather than private. We can also aim to be as sociable as possible when on the move. Cars with only a driver on board make very little sense, and the more passengers you can fi nd the smaller each of your climate footprints

Websites where people announce where they are going and when, offering a lift to those with the same destination, have become very popular over the last few years in many places. In Germany and its neighbours the system is quite successful, and apart from providing a cheap ride between almost all medium-sized towns (for about €5 per 100 kilometre) it is a social meeting-point and a bit of an adventure for those who like it.Some of the most popular sites are www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de (Germany, Austria, Switzerland); www.easycovoiturage.com (France); www.rideabout.com.au
(Australia); www.rideshare-directory.com (United States).

will be. Set concrete goals to reduce your travel. Just as a limited calorie intake is sensible for any diet, after analysing your travelling habits and extent (see Count & Analyse) you can set a limit on how much you travel and by what means. Reducing it will have a signifi cant effect on your costs.

CO2 emissions from selected
The results depend a lot on the occupancy rates (in pink, the average German rates used here).
German transportation means
Better results can be obtained for metro, tram and train if more people are using them (better network and schedules, accessibility, affordability and competitiveness compared to cars). The squares are proportional to CO2 emissions. Bus (long distance)
370 Grams of CO2 60% per passenger and per kilometre Train (long distance)
150
100
50
44%
30
Metro Tram Bus (short distance)
Plane 20% 20% 21%
Car
Train (short distance)
1,5 passenger 73% per car 21%

Source: Gunnar Gohlisch, Umweltbundesamt (German Federal Environmental Agency), 2005.
http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/german-transportation-means-german-transportation-means

THE CYCLE – REDUCE KICK THE HABIT 129