What does soft mobility actually mean? The term comes up again and again in the news - or when searching for vacation offers. But what does it mean? Surely you know that some of the biggest environmental problems of our time are due to the way we humans move around. For example, air pollution in cities - and not least global warming.
This is exactly where the concept of soft mobility comes in. In this article, I would like to introduce you to it - from the definition, advantages and disadvantages, measures and vehicles, to cities that are already actively living it.
What is soft mobility?
Behind this is a political concept regarding the traffic turnaround. The aim is to make city centers in particular far more sustainable, environmentally friendly and socially acceptable, as the accident rate will also be significantly reduced. The aim of soft mobility is to promote environmentally friendly forms of transportation. In other words, the use of public transportation, sharing concepts, the Cycling and of course walking.
Tip: Take a look at the article about the E-scooter sustainability on. It will show you how to use them in the most environmentally friendly and healthy way possible.
Soft mobility - advantages & disadvantages
I would like to start by explaining the advantages and disadvantages of soft mobility.
Advantages
Proponents of soft mobility justify the concept of a traffic turnaround with the increased volume of traffic in cities. The infrastructure is unable to cope with this, resulting in frequent traffic jams and stop-and-go traffic. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the vicinity of leisure facilities, shopping facilities and recreational areas. One of the main advantages of soft mobility is that it avoids unnecessarily high traffic volumes by promoting space-saving, alternative forms of transportation. Free local public transport by bus and train could play a key role in this.
Because the streets in city centers are also available to pedestrians, potential disputes between careless pedestrians and drivers are automatically reduced. Many cities are already conducting initial experiments - with success. More on this in a moment.
Here I have a clear list of benefits for you:
- Public safety on the rise
- Less congestion and stop-and-go traffic
- Soft mobility counteracts the environmental problem of Climate change (promotion of low-emission means of transport)
- Car-free areas encourage young families with children to move in
- Promotion of local public transport
- Attractive city concepts reduce the need for outward journeys
- Quieter city centers
Tip: In this context, be sure to take a look at the article on the Life without car on!
Disadvantages
Representatives of conventional transport policy see no reason why the volume of traffic in cities should be reduced. Rather, they point out that hardly any parking spaces could be created outside the cities and that this would even result in a loss of sales for local restaurants. But I see things differently.
Soft, sustainable mobility really only knows winners. Because life in cities becomes more attractive, healthier, more environmentally friendly and safer. The concept decelerates our society and, above all, is a future-oriented means of combating the air pollution. If this can really be described as a disadvantage of soft mobility, then it is certainly the cost intensity of the changes in urban areas. But since it makes our lives better in the long run, it's probably more of an investment than a cost.
Measures and strategies for soft mobility
Within the framework of soft mobility, strategies are being developed that serve to turn traffic around. All with the aim of improving the quality of life in the city. To this end, for example, subsidies for air traffic are to be reduced and instead the Expansion of infrastructure for bicycles be promoted. Incentives to buy a low-emission electric car will also be increased through political measures in the interests of soft mobility.
For example, the mineral oil tax will be raised or supplemented by an eco-tax. The tax revenue finances parking space management, for example. Soft mobility even aims to achieve a Road reconstruction so that nature has significantly more space and traffic can be calmed. Shorter distances can prevent urban sprawl in the surrounding area.
Vehicles of sustainable mobility concepts
The transport turnaround envisages first and foremost that people will Walk more and the cities with a Bike or by public transport. Offers such as rentable Pedal scooter or E-Scooter receive subsidies. Of course, you can also buy your own Buy scooter. Prices will probably rise as part of the transport transition. Either way, it is a great, space-saving and sustainable alternative to cars with combustion engines.
In future, petrol and diesel cars will be banned in certain areas of the city. Electric cars will be given preference in the long term. The policy envisages a massive expansion of the charging infrastructure in this regard.
The electricity required for electrically powered means of transportation, such as E-cars, e-bikes and e-scooters could also come from private households in the future. Both for their own use and for external use. The already growing concept is called Wallbox sharing.
Gentle mobility on vacation
Admittedly, there are not many. But there are already some cities that are exemplifying the concept of soft mobility. One very good example is the Austrian city of Werfenweng. Anyone arriving by bus or train will automatically receive a guest card on site. With this so-called "SAMO-Card", you can use the Werfenweng shuttle as well as the town's entire e-vehicle fleet.
A Europe-wide, standardized ticket system for local public transport could also accelerate development in other cities, for example. Never before in history has there been such freedom to travel as there is today, and this freedom can be usefully supplemented by the promotion or standardization of local public transport. However, it should be borne in mind that not every country has the infrastructure possibilities that prevail in Germany.
So is soft mobility a sensible concept?
Soft mobility is the concept for the mobility of the future. The advantages for people and the environment outweigh the few disadvantages. In particular, the use of renewable, i.e. non-limited energies, such as electricity from solar, hydro and wind power, makes this concept so sustainable.
Do you have any questions, suggestions or your own experience with soft mobility that you would like to share? Then simply write me a comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS: In the mobility blog, you can find out so much more about the possibilities for making our mode of transportation more sustainable. If you can't completely do without a car with an internal combustion engine, you can find out more in the article called Sustainable drivinghow you can use it in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
