Cutting cars at Cardiff University

Cardiff University’s Changing Steps Cardiff programme encourages staff and students away from a reliance on private cars to more active and sustainable modes of travel. 

More than 278,000 sustainable journeys were recorded over two nine-month periods in 2021 and 2022. 

More than half of these were found to have replaced a car journey, relieving some pressure on parking and saving over 50 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Walking was the most popular activity, followed by cycling and bus travel. 

The programme has been equally popular among staff and students, with 50% of participants from both groups.

Case study: Incentivising sustainable travel at Cardiff University