Table 5 Alternative policies proposed by the focus group participants

Abandoning automobiles for walking and cycling.

“There’s a lot more people walking and cycling stuff nowadays in the towns and that. I quite agree with keeping the cyclists away from the main traffic and from pedestrians … it’s quite important that we get rid of all the petrol and diesel cars … we need to do something and take all the new cars off the road” (Scotland group 2).

“So if there’s different routes that are away from traffic, more people may cycle. Making it easier for people to get to places… Because, it’d be a lot safer for people to cycle to work if there were direct routes and separate routes for them, rather than having to go through traffic at the minute” (England group 2).

Banning petrol and diesel vehicle sales.

“Because, I do think that emissions of cars is quite bad. That’s why I’m not using mine, if I’m honest. And, I do think they are going to make it low, aren’t they? That everyone’s going to have to have an electric car. You’re only going to be able to buy second-hand petrol and diesel cars by…I think that’s coming in quite soon” (England group 2).

Using solar energy to meet all of your own energy needs.

“To me, it just needs to be the way forward. Not really for us, but for our kids and their future and looking at their well-being” (Northern Ireland group 1).