Most people make journeys every day. We travel for many reasons: to get to and from work, to get the kids to school, to go to the supermarket, visit friends, for a day out, or to go on holiday. As such, traveling is an integral part of life.
There are many ways to get around the city which boost our health and well being and are good for the pocket. Walking, cycling, or taking public transport for short journeys is the perfect way to get around the city and it's good for our planet, too.
Find out more about the different forms of transport in Dundee, below.
Top tips for reducing travel emissions
Travel less and travel more carbon footprint friendly
- For short journeys; walk or cycle
- Car share to work or for the kids school run
- Use the bus or a train rather than your car
- Try to reduce the number of flights you take
- See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week
- Next time you replace your car - choose a low emission vehicle. If you have the budget, consider getting a hybrid or full electric car.
- When traveling and staying in a hotel - turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room, and ask for your room towels to be washed every other day, rather than every day
Drive Smarter
If you have to use your car, use it properly. Some bad habits make the impacts of driving a lot worse. Smarter driving can help limit some of the emissions of car usage.
- Remove excess weight from the vehicle to improve fuel efficiency.
- Have the correct air pressure in your tyres results in better petrol mileage, better handling of the car, cheaper maintenance costs and a smaller environmental impact. This simple step can make a big difference.
- By slowing your travel speed by 6.2mph, you could improve your car’s fuel consumption by 25%.
Active Travel – Walking and Cycling
Walking and cycling are the most eco-friendly transport modes. It creates no emission, keeps you fit and healthy and saves you money. Dundee is the perfect city to cycle in due to its compact size! By walking and cycling more, you are also taking cars off the road that would otherwise cause congestion and pollution.
Dundee's Cycling Map
The Dundee Cycle Map is your guide to cycling in Dundee. It includes the Green Circular and Greenways routes and recommends ways of getting across much of the city using quieter roads, cycle lanes and off road routes.
The Green Circular is a 25-mile cycle route that circumnavigates Dundee. It passes through areas of parkland, alongside the scenic Firth of Tay riverfront, next to the Dighty Burn and past many of Dundee’s visitor attractions including the V&A, Discovery Point, and Camperdown Wildlife Centre.
Dundee's Greenways are routes that join the Green Circular to other destinations across the city. The routes provide useful links between work places, shops, leisure facilities and recreation areas.
The Dundee Cycle Map is available at your local bike shop or
Cycling Projects
Get involved in local cycling projects from cycling groups, fundraisers, volunteering to Dundee's eBike hire scheme as well as information about free cycling training. Find out everything you need to know here.
Where to cycle in Dundee
Whether you ride your bike to work, your BMX for fun, your trike to explore or your mountain bike to keep fit - everything you need to help find the perfect place to cycle in Dundee is here
Visit your local Dundee Cycle Hub and bike shops.
Public Transport
Public transport is a fantastic alternative to driving and will reduce your carbon footprint dramatically. Taking the bus for local journeys means fewer cars on the road, less pollution and with that better air quality! If you are traveling bigger distances you can also consider taking the train. Other cities might have more public transport choices to choose from such as trams or subways.
Taking public transport also means that the remaining cars have quicker journeys due to decreased congestion on the roads, again resulting in a CO2 reduction.
The best thing about public transport is that it gives you added time to read, listen to music, or get some work done on your journey.
Free Bus Travel Scheme
If you are under 22 years old and living in Scotland, you are eligible for free nationwide bus travel.
What are local bus companies doing?
Xplore Dundee is investing millions in greening the city's fleet of buses. Since 2013 they have been upgrading their fleet to reduce emissions across the city. In 2021 they launched 12 all electric double-decker Emerald buses for service 28 on Lochee Road (Scotland's fourth most polluted street). This is only the beginning! Find out more here
Ember is the UK's first all-electric, intercity bus service. Zero exhaust emissions means it's good for the environment and you'll also enjoy a smoother, more peaceful journey – no engine rumble or smelly fumes here.
Stagecoach has introduced electric hybrid buses are now on selected services in Dundee.
Drive Dundee Electric
Dundee currently has 167 chargers and 313 charge points across the city, providing residents, Dundee City Council employees and organisations with a robust infrastructure for going electric. This includes rapid charging hubs, multi-storey charging hubs, on-street chargers and innovative pop-up chargers with more to come.
The focus of city projects has matured from providing a strong foundation of EV infrastructure to focusing on the sole use of renewable energy and moving away from dependence on the grid.
Find out everything you need to know about electric vehicles (EV's), the benefits of electric, Dundee's charging stations, available grants, car clubs and more
View MoreMore Resources
Cycle maps, projects and more
Can be found here...
Sustainable Dundee Map
Visit the Sustainable Dundee Map to find out what happens locally