The pie charts illustrate changes in the preference for four different modes of transport in Cambridge, UK, over a ten-year period from 2008 to 2018.
Overall, the decade saw a dramatic transformation in how residents moved around the city. There was a significant decline in the popularity of cars, which transitioned from being the most dominant mode of transport to the least. In contrast, active forms of travel – specifically cycling and walking – experienced a substantial surge in usage, collectively accounting for over half of all trips by 2018.
In 2008, cars were the undisputed primary choice for commuters, representing 42% of the total. However, by 2018, this figure had plummeted by more than half to just 20%. Similarly, the use of buses saw a modest decrease, falling from 30% to 25% over the same timeframe.
Conversely, environmentally friendly alternatives gained significant traction. The proportion of people choosing to cycle nearly doubled, climbing from 17% in 2008 to 30% in 2018, making it the most popular individual mode of transport by the end of the period. Walking followed a similar upward trajectory, with its share more than doubling from 11% to a significant 25%. Consequently, by 2018, the popularity of walking had reached parity with bus travel.