melbourneenglish.com Opinion essay - Transport Question The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2020 there may be as many as 33 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws introduced, to control car ownership and use. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Answer It is true that the proliferation of automobiles has led to serious logistical and environmental issues for UK society as traffic problems and carbon monoxide production become major problems that have grown exponentially over the last century. The concept of cross-border legislation and the promotion of different transport means have been cited as solutions to these problems that in my opinion have some potential Cycling is a viable mode of transport that cities can promote as an alternative to counteract car dependancy and it has both advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, a major benefit is that cycling is a great form of healthy exercise. In addition to this, it is environmentally friendly. Thirdly, using a bicycle is an economic form of transport in that it is relatively cheap. Moreover, the government investment required to finance a train network would be significantly more than that needed to provide bicycle lanes. On the other hand, it can be dangerous for cyclists who share the road with motorists, especially at night time. Furthermore, in inclement weather, itis not a very pleasant means of transport. Many cities have invested in Public Transport as a way to reduce automobile ownership and this can be very effective. Firstly, public transport is very quick and convenient particularly, trains which can avoid traffic congestion. Secondly, trains and buses can cover long distances, especially when compared to walking and cycling. However, it must be noted that there are downsides to public transport as a solution to the problem of excessive car dependancy. In the first place, the cost of building train networks is massive and many governments simply cannot afford this. Furthermore, the time involved in building transport networks is substantial and it may not be a viable solution for this problem in the short term. While the number of cars on the roads causes significant environmental and logistical problems for society, the solution of international legal measures is limited for practical reasons. Put simply, transport infrastructure investment choices are national decisions. However, in my opinion, the promotion of public transport and cycling have great potential and should be adopted by both the government and public alike ©Melbourne English.com