There’s a bit in the news here in Spain recently about the government’s forthcoming legislation on #mobility. The backlash from the right wing is predictable - scaremongering that we’ll be forced to become sweaty cyclists overnight. The new law makes all the right noises in the context of the city - eliminate private cars, more public transport, walking & cycling. It fails to cover the tricky problem of rural & mountainous communities - too difficult / costly / unprofitable.
I did find a European project from over 10 years ago, Move On Green. The output of this project is the typical geography student’s bread and butter - presentation of statistics, demographics, thematic maps and, frankly, hot air. The conclusion, to paraphrase, is the problem is that people in the countryside have private vehicles because it’s too far / hilly to walk / cycle & it’s unprofitable to provide public transport with wide & frequent service. Well done.
From my own experience of living in a rural, mountainous area - I have zero public transport to my village. The nearest bus stop is 5km away (with hills) for 4 buses per day weekdays, 2 on weekends, going just one route - 30km into the nearest city (over the mountain). EU has,basically, mandated privatisation of public transport & all-but-prohibits public subsidy. So, car (EV) to get around but will need park & ride for in-city destinations.
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