City invites Londoners to have their say on the future of mobility

London has launched a public feedback campaign as it begins work on a plan to shape the way people move around the city for the next 25 years.

Consultation on the Mobility Master Plan will determine how London plans and prioritizes transportation and mobility infrastructure, programs and policies into the future.

"Our city is growing rapidly and working towards becoming a regional transportation and mobility hub. Our future prosperity depends on the decisions we make today," said London Mayor Ed Holder. "A renewed Mobility Master Plan has the potential to improve our resiliency and economic strength as a city while having a direct impact on quality of life for people in London."

The aim of the plan is a departure from the former transportation master plan, which focused more on the movement of people or goods. Focusing on the term "mobility" will focus more on the different ways people can get around, including going to work, school, the grocery store, restaurants and other places, officials said. 

"Traditional approaches to transportation planning have evolved. With this plan, we're placing a new emphasis on access," said Kelly Scherr, the deputy city manager of environment and infrastructure. "The goal has always been to provide everyone with viable options to get around, but this study will explore how easy or challenging it is for residents to access their daily needs."

The city says it will collect data and expertise along with public input over the course of the next two years. Previous transportation and cycling plans will also be integrated into the master plan to tackle local priorities, including:  

The city says changes to transportation and mobility systems are already underway in London, including building rapid transit infrastructure, installing intelligent traffic signals, and investing millions in active transportation infrastructure. The city is also looking into new modes of transportation such as e-bikes and scooters.

"In 2019, the transportation sector generated about 45 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions and is the single largest contributor to local emissions," said Jay Stanford, the city's director of climate change, environment and waste management. "Major adjustments and changes to how we currently travel in London will be required to meet our climate change targets."

Londoners can have their say about the future of mobility in the city by visiting the city's website.