Environment / Transport

..we had a right to public transport? Pipe dream or tested model for a better world? Conrad Landin jumps on the bandwagon.

Autonomous vehicles by Marc Roberts.

Tom Haines-Doran explores the recent disputes between Britain’s train operating companies and rail union RMT over driver-only operation – and asks why railway workers are both willing to take strike action and successful in doing so.

The history of the railways is steeped in the development of capitalism and imperialism. But it has also been profoundly shaped from the bottom up. Conrad Landin profiles five trailblazers who left their mark on the tracks.

The low-friction, high-capacity technology of railways means the economic and environmental costs of expanding them are worthwhile, argues Gareth Dennis.

Half a century after Tanzania and Zambia built a railway to reduce the latter’s dependence on its white-ruled neighbours, East Africa’s railways are once again on the up. Can new lines help African countries trade with each other – or are they just a beacon of the new imperialism? Priya Sippy reports.

Initiatives, action, and further reading on railways.

On every continent, the railways are experiencing a renaissance. But what will it take to reshape them in the interests of people? Conrad Landin investigates.

Urban public transport was free for all? Conrad Landin investigates.

Piracy is just one in a long list of problems facing seafarers in a cut-throat shipping industry, reports Olivia Swift.

Bamboo is so tough and so plentiful it’s used for construction scaffolding all aver Asia. So why not use it to build bikes? It seemed like a good idea to design maestro Craig Calfee and to the Earth Institute at Columbia University in New York City. The two have teamed up to build better bikes for poor Africans in rural areas and stimulate the local bicycle industry in a number of African countries. The NI talked to Bamboo Bike Project co-ordinator and Columbia scientist David Ho.

When it comes to the future, the car simply can't compete. Chris Webb charts the comeback of the people's best friend – the humble bicycle. And you can even make one out of bamboo.