When friends from my home town of Miami visit Edinburgh, where I now live, one thing they always remark on is the quality of life here. Sure, Miami has more sunny days, a mild winter, South Beach and Lionel Messi, but it is practically impossible to get around there without a car. Compare this with Edinburgh, where you can walk, cycle, or take the bus or tram. Travel is free on public buses for under 22s, and while low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes aren’t perfect, the council is rolling them out in the pursuit of a vibrant, active city.
Edinburgh’s commitment to pedestrians is not about banning cars, but about making it cheaper and simpler to replace short-distance single occupancy journeys with alternatives that have far-reaching benefits for the city’s inhabitants and the planet. It’s about making it easier to get to school, work or the city centre without relying on a car.
