Q&A: Greener transport

Looking for more ecofriendly transport options? Here are some answers to greener transport questions sent in by readers.

I have to use my car. Is there a way to do so greenly?

First, try our tips on greener driving – they’ll save you money by getting you the same distance while using less petrol. Then, see if anyone can share the car with you – if it’s for work, could you car share? Try sticking a notice up at work or visit the Liftshare website.

Next time you buy a car, stop and think whether you really need to. Could you join a car club instead? Sharing a car is greener than having one each. Try Car Clubs and City Car Club.

Finally, decide whether you really do need to drive. Cycling is often quicker than driving, and cheaper too – check out our great cycling tips to help you get started.

What’s the best way to defrost my car in the mornings, so I don’t waste petrol waiting for the heating to kick in?

Try a bit of elbow grease first. Scrape off as much ice as you can with a proper windscreen scraper (makeshift ones can damage the windscreen). De-icers will speed up the process (choose an organic one if you can), or make your own – try a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. Resist the temptation to pour boiling water onto the windscreen as it can crack the glass.

Prevention is better than cure, so why not invest in an insulating cover for the windscreen, or keep the car undercover in the cold winter months if you can?

I’m travelling to Scotland. Is it greener to drive with four people in the car, or fly?

Fly one way from London Heathrow to Edinburgh and you’ll emit 60g of carbon dioxide per person. Drive in a normal petrol engine car sharing with four people, and you’ll cut it to 32.5g per person.

The same journey in a car running on LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas, which produces significantly less pollution than petrol), emits just 22.5g of carbon dioxide per person.

Also, carbon dioxide emitted at high altitudes is thought to have nearly three times the effect on climate change than the equivalent amount emitted on the ground, which makes traveling by plane even more harmful to the environment.

Why don’t UK cities have rent-a-bike schemes like the one in Paris?

The UK now has a couple of cycle schemes that the public can make use of. The Barclays Cycle Hire in London, means you can get from A to B by bike - and for free, if your trip is under 30 minutes. OYbike is another street-based network of yellow and green rental bikes in Cardiff and Reading. When you want to use a bike, you call the OYbike number and are given a PIN to unlock it.