Train, Bus or Bike? Greener Commuting Without Tears

 


Train, Bus or Bike? Greener Commuting Without Tears

(A tale of pedals, puddles, and public transport survival)

Commuting: the unavoidable ritual of modern life. But every mile we travel has a footprint — and how we choose to get to work, school, or the shops can make a surprising difference to our environmental impact.

If you're trying to cut carbon without cutting corners (or crying into your soggy bus timetable), here’s how to make greener commuting work for you.

What’s the Problem?

  • Transport accounts for around 27% of UK greenhouse gas emissions, and a huge chunk of that is from private car use.

  • The average petrol car emits about 180g of CO₂ per km — even more in stop-start traffic.

  • That quick drive to the shops adds up fast.

Greener Options (Ranked from Heroic to Slightly Damp Hero)

🚴‍♂️ Bike

  • Zero emissions.

  • Cheap. Fast in traffic.

  • Gets you fit (whether you wanted that or not).

  • Downsides: Rain. Potholes. Lycra.

🚶‍♀️ Walk

  • Even greener than a bike, and no need to lock it up.

  • Downside: Time. And blisters.

🚌 Bus

  • Per passenger, emissions are far lower than individual cars.

  • Use the time to read, scroll, or question your life choices.

  • Downside: Unpredictable schedules and suspicious smells.

🚆 Train

  • Efficient over longer distances.

  • Electric trains especially have a lower carbon footprint.

  • Can actually be relaxing — once you’ve found a seat and stopped apologising.

Tips to Make It Work

  1. Combine modes – Bike to the station. Walk the last bit. Mix it up.

  2. Invest in comfort – A good raincoat, comfy shoes, and a charged power bank go a long way.

  3. Plan ahead – Use apps to track live departures and avoid standing around like a confused penguin.

  4. Embrace the podcast – Turn the commute into a learning (or entertainment) opportunity.

What About the Car?

Sometimes a car is unavoidable. If that’s you:

  • Car share when possible.

  • Keep your tyres inflated to improve fuel efficiency.

  • Consider an EV or hybrid for your next vehicle.

Final Thought

You don’t have to give up your car entirely to make a difference. Every trip you take by bike, foot, or public transport instead of driving chips away at emissions and builds greener habits.

Your commute may still involve puddles, delays, and awkward small talk — but at least it won’t involve quite so much CO₂.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Caffeine With a Conscience: Sustainable Coffee at Home

Image
  Caffeine With a Conscience: Sustainable Coffee at Home ( How to keep your brew strong but your footprint light ) For many of us, coffee is less a drink and more a survival mechanism. But behind every comforting cup is an industry that comes with a hefty environmental and social cost. From deforestation to exploitative labour , the true price of coffee can be far higher than what you pay at the till. The good news? You don’t have to give it up. You just need to drink it smarter. The Hidden Cost of Coffee Coffee production is linked to deforestation, water waste , and pesticide use . Global demand encourages intensive farming that depletes soils and biodiversity . Billions of single-use cups and pods end up in landfill every year. Your morning pick-me-up doesn’t have to be part of the problem. Choose Better Beans Look for certifications that mean something: Fairtrade : Farmers get a fairer deal. Rainforest Alliance : Supports biodiversity and sustainab...
Read more

Terracycling Explained: Because Some Plastics Just Won’t Die

Image
  Terracycling Explained: Because Some Plastics Just Won’t Die ( And yet somehow still end up in my cupboard ) We all know the recycling drill: bottles, cans, paper, cardboard. Simple enough. But then you’re left holding a crisp packet , a toothpaste tube , or that mysterious plastic wrapper that looks recyclable but definitely isn’t . Welcome to the world of Terracycle – where the plastics that haunt your kitchen finally get a second chance. 🧟 The Problem: Zombie Plastics Some plastics refuse to die. Local councils won’t take them because they’re: Mixed materials (foil + plastic = nightmare) Too lightweight to sort Too low-value to recycle profitably Result? Landfill . Incineration . Ocean. Repeat. 🧩 The Terracycle Solution Terracycle runs specialist recycling schemes for things that normally can’t be recycled: Crisp & snack packets Toothpaste tubes & brushes Coffee pods Make-up containers Rubber gloves Even cigarette butts (ye...
Read more

The Life Cycle of a T-Shirt: From Cotton Field to Charity Shop

Image
  The Life Cycle of a T-Shirt: From Cotton Field to Charity Shop — And why that “£4 bargain” might cost more than you think A T-shirt. Soft. Comfy. Probably cheap. But what’s the real story behind it? That innocent piece of cotton in your wardrobe may have travelled thousands of miles, consumed gallons of water, and been sewn in conditions you wouldn’t wish on anyone — all before you wore it twice and chucked it in the back of the drawer. Let’s follow the journey of the humble T-shirt. Step 1: Cotton Farming Most T-shirts start life in cotton fields — in countries like India, China, or the US. It takes around 2,700 litres of water to produce just one cotton T-shirt — that’s one person’s drinking water for 2.5 years. Pesticides and fertilisers used in non-organic cotton farming can harm local ecosystems and workers' health. Step 2: Spinning, Dyeing & Knitting Once harvested, cotton is: Spun into yarn Knitted into fabric Dyed (often with chemical...
Read more