Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Making a more sustainable travel choice

You have thought about your need to travel, you have planned when to travel, and chosen how you will travel, by which route. What can you do as a driver or rider to make the car or motorcycle a slightly more sustainable choice?

All cars on the road today contribute to climate change because their engines burn fuel and therefore produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) every time we drive. You can easily reduce these emissions and save money too.

Your vehicle:

• Check your tyre pressures, including the spare, under inflated tyres create resistance
• Roof storage greatly increases wind resistance
• Unnecessary loads add weight your engine has to carry around
• Air conditioning is hard work for the vehicle and uses more fuel.

  

Your driving:

• Think and look ahead to spot hazards early and allow yourself time to react
• Stay at or within all speed limits
• Always accelerate smoothly
• Use your gears sensibly and efficiently, selecting a higher gear as soon as possible without labouring the engine
• Idling your engine just wastes fuel and adds CO₂ emissions.

Your riding:

• Choose the right gear and engine speed to reduce how much you open the throttle
• Ride smoothly, with good observation and avoiding excessive braking
• Consider the clothing you wear and what you carry, well-fitted and safe riding kit reduces wind drag.