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Australians are already changing their travel habits. As fuel prices have soared, more than half of motorists have cut their driving in the past month, according to a national survey of 1,800 NRMA members.

Those who can are embracing alternatives – including swapping their car for a bike, working from home and jumping on a tram to the shops – to reduce fuel costs and help the environment without buying an electric car.

Transport is Australia’s third largest source of climate pollution. Government forecasts suggest it will be the biggest source of emissions by 2030. Each litre of petrol puts about 2.3kg of carbon dioxide – roughly equivalent to the weight of a house brick – into the atmosphere, according to the National Transport Commission.

Why do we travel?

In Australia’s big cities, the majority of trips are still done by car, says Dr Liam Davies, an associate director at the Institute for Sensible Transport. Access to alternatives, like public transport or bike trails, depends on where people live, with outer suburbs and regional areas often less well served than the inner city.

Studies of travel in Sydney and Melbourne have found about 20% of trips are for work, 21% to drive someone else ( such as dropping off or picking up children from school), 19% for social or recreational purposes, and 19% for shopping.

For people who want to leave their car at home, how far they travel will often dictate the best alternative. “Most people will find a comfortable walk at about one kilometre, and a comfortable bike ride at about four kilometres. Once you’re over either of those distances, public transport becomes the most comfortable option – or the motor vehicle,” Davies says.

Getting on board with public transport

Daniel Bowen, a campaigner with the Public Transport Users Association, says an increase in people travelling by bus, train or tram benefits everyone – and not just those who have the option of using public transport.

“For society at large, one less car off the road means less pollution, less traffic congestion,” he says. “And for the people who don’t have a choice [not to] drive, then that obviously helps them if there are fewer cars on the road.”

He says while no one would claim that the public transport system is perfect it can be a time saver and an efficient way to travel for people who have the option. Google Maps and other journey planning apps can help with checking available routes and estimating how long a trip will take.

“You can often use the time on public transport productively to read, to doom-scroll, ring up friends or answer emails,” he says, activities that can’t – or shouldn’t – be attempted while driving.

Driving less has significant environmental, social and health benefits too.

A petrol or diesel powered vehicle emits between 150 and 300 grams of CO₂/km. Emissions from taking public transport can be zero. Davies says that is especially the case with electric trams, trains and buses. But even a diesel bus has lower per person emissions than a car. Walking and cycling are essentially “carbon free”.

Motor vehicles also produce particulate pollution that can be bad for human health, exacerbating asthma and other respiratory problems. Studies have shown urban noise from roads adds to our stress and disturbs wildlife.

Getting back on the bike

The not-for-profit Bicycle Network has seen a spike in interest since fuel prices started rising and interest rate hikes pushed up living costs.

The network’s chief executive, Alison McCormack, says most people have access to a bike and about two-thirds of Australians want to ride more often but worry it’s unsafe. There are some great cycling paths, but she says there are also gaps in cycling networks that make riding a bike more difficult.

McCormack encourages people to “just start”. “Get your bike out of the shed and make sure it’s roadworthy.

She says the key things to remember are “ABCD”: check there is air in the tyres, the brakes work and the chain is oiled. Then do “a little drop test” – dropping your bike and catching it to see if anything rattles. “If you’ve got concerns about any of those, go to your local bike shop.”

Take your bike for a spin around the block and build on that, she says. Swap out one or two trips to the shops, or to work. “Once you master that, the whole world opens up.”

Neighbourhood bike shops and community groups can provide local information about the best and safest routes. Workplaces can help by providing end-of-trip facilities, such as bike storage, showers and lockers.

E-bikes might be an option for people travelling longer distances, helping families ditch the second car, she says.

McCormack says most people who can cycle find it brings lots of benefits. It’s cheap, green and social. “You feel better. The endorphins kick in,” she says.

The Asia Pacific regional manager for cycling advocacy organisation Love to Ride, Christina Sorbello, says it is “also a really nice way to get out in your neighbourhood”.

“We’re not about saying that cycling is for everybody in all circumstances, but there are certainly places where riding a bike can make sense and often be an easier mode than jumping in your car,” she says. “The world is different when you view it from the seat of a bike.”